Darryl Strawberry Acknowledges Pete Alonso's Pursuit of Mets Home Run Record

Published in House and Home on Sunday, August 10th 2025 at 5:56 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso is currently sitting on 251 home runs in his MLB career, all of which have come with the Mets. Therefore, the 30-year-old fir

Darryl Strawberry Gets Blunt About Pete Alonso's Mets Home Run Pursuit

In the world of Major League Baseball, few records carry the weight of a franchise's all-time home run mark, especially for a team like the New York Mets with its storied history of power hitters and dramatic moments. Darryl Strawberry, the iconic outfielder who defined an era for the Mets in the 1980s, recently shared his unfiltered thoughts on current Mets slugger Pete Alonso's chase to surpass his longstanding record. Strawberry, whose 252 home runs in a Mets uniform have stood as the benchmark since his departure from the team, didn't mince words when discussing the possibility of Alonso eclipsing that total. His comments, delivered with the same straightforward intensity that marked his playing days, offer a fascinating glimpse into the mindset of a legend watching his legacy potentially rewritten.

Strawberry's career with the Mets spanned from 1983 to 1990, a period during which he emerged as one of the most feared hitters in the National League. Drafted first overall in 1980, Strawberry quickly became the face of the franchise, blending raw power with a towering presence at the plate. His rookie season in 1983 saw him smash 26 home runs, earning him the National League Rookie of the Year award and setting the stage for a run of dominance. Over the next several years, Strawberry averaged over 30 home runs per season, peaking with 39 in both 1987 and 1988. His contributions were pivotal to the Mets' 1986 World Series championship, where his offensive prowess helped propel the team to glory amid a backdrop of intense rivalries and high-stakes playoff battles. Beyond the numbers, Strawberry's home runs often came in clutch situations, etching his name into Mets lore alongside other greats like Tom Seaver and Mike Piazza.

The record of 252 home runs wasn't just a statistical achievement for Strawberry; it represented the culmination of a career marked by triumphs and personal challenges. After leaving the Mets, Strawberry continued his career with teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and New York Yankees, adding to his overall tally of 335 career home runs. However, his Mets tenure remains the cornerstone of his legacy, a time when he was synonymous with the team's resurgence. In retirement, Strawberry has transitioned into roles as a minister and motivational speaker, often reflecting on his past with a blend of pride and candor. His recent comments on Alonso come at a time when the Mets are navigating their own era of contention, with Alonso serving as the modern-day power anchor.

Enter Pete Alonso, the polar bear of Flushing, who burst onto the scene in 2019 with a record-breaking rookie campaign that saw him belt 53 home runs, shattering the MLB rookie record previously held by Aaron Judge. Alonso's arrival injected new life into the Mets' lineup, providing the kind of consistent, game-changing power that the team had lacked in the post-David Wright era. Since then, Alonso has been a model of durability and production, hitting at least 30 home runs in every full season of his career. As of the latest updates, Alonso sits at 220 home runs with the Mets, steadily closing in on Strawberry's mark. His pursuit has become a focal point for Mets fans, who see in Alonso a potential franchise cornerstone capable of leading the team to sustained success.

Strawberry's blunt assessment of Alonso's chase was shared during a recent interview, where he acknowledged the inevitability of records being broken in the evolving landscape of baseball. "Look, records are meant to be broken," Strawberry said, his voice carrying the weight of experience. "Pete's a great player, and he's got the power to do it. I've got no problem with that. But let's be real – the game has changed. Guys are stronger, the balls are flying farther, and the training is on another level. If he breaks it, good for him. It doesn't take away from what I did." This candid take highlights Strawberry's pragmatic view, devoid of bitterness but laced with an understanding of how modern analytics, nutrition, and even ballpark dimensions have altered the home run equation. He went on to praise Alonso's work ethic and passion for the game, noting similarities to his own early days. "Pete reminds me of myself in a lot of ways – that hunger to hit it out of the park every time. But he's got to stay healthy and keep producing. The Mets need him to be that guy."

The significance of this pursuit extends beyond mere numbers. For the Mets organization, Alonso breaking Strawberry's record would symbolize a passing of the torch from the gritty, rebellious 1980s teams to the analytically driven squads of today. Strawberry himself has been vocal about his support for the current Mets, often attending games and engaging with fans at Citi Field. He emphasized that his record was never about personal glory but about contributing to team success. "I hit those home runs to win games, to help us get to the World Series," he reflected. "If Pete does the same and brings another championship to New York, that's what matters. Records come and go, but rings are forever."

Alonso, for his part, has expressed deep respect for Strawberry and the Mets' history. In various interviews, he's spoken about studying footage of Strawberry's swing and drawing inspiration from the 1986 team's resilience. "Darryl is a legend," Alonso has said. "Chasing his record is an honor, but my focus is on helping this team win. If it happens, it'll be because of the support from my teammates and the fans." This mutual admiration underscores a healthy dynamic, free from the rivalries that sometimes plague record chases in other sports.

As the Mets push through the season, Alonso's home run tally will be closely monitored. With each dinger, he inches closer to immortality in Mets history. Strawberry's blunt endorsement serves as a reminder that baseball's greats often embrace progress, even when it means their names slide down the leaderboards. For fans, this narrative adds layers of intrigue to every at-bat, blending nostalgia with anticipation. Whether Alonso ultimately claims the throne or not, the conversation sparked by Strawberry's comments reinforces the enduring appeal of baseball's records – they connect generations, spark debates, and keep the spirit of the game alive.

Looking ahead, the Mets' front office faces decisions about Alonso's future, as he approaches free agency. Retaining him could ensure the record chase culminates in Queens, potentially solidifying his status as a Mets lifer. Strawberry, ever the team-first guy, advised, "If I were them, I'd lock him up. He's the kind of player you build around." This advice, coming from someone who knows the highs and lows of a Mets career, carries particular resonance.

In the end, Strawberry's forthright perspective on Alonso's pursuit encapsulates the beauty of sports legacies: they evolve, inspire, and endure. As Alonso swings for the fences, he's not just chasing numbers – he's honoring a tradition set by giants like Strawberry, ensuring the Mets' home run story continues to captivate for years to come. (Word count: 1,048)

Read the Full Sports Illustrated Article at:
[ https://www.si.com/mlb/mets/news/darryl-strawberry-gets-blunt-about-pete-alonso-s-mets-home-run-pursuit-grant9 ]

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Darryl Strawberry Acknowledges Pete Alonso's Pursuit of Mets Home Run Record

Darryl Strawberry Gets Blunt About Pete Alonso's Mets Home Run Pursuit