New York Mets fans were not bashful Monday about showing their appreciation for franchise legend Pete Alonso.
The beefy first baseman returned to Citi Field in Queens, N.Y., for the first time since signing with the Baltimore Orioles in December. His former fan base showed him the kind of love rarely seen for an opposing player, even one as beloved as Alonso was.
Alonso got a standing ovation when he was introduced to the crowd. He also got the usual emotional tribute video.
A standing ovation for Pete Alonso as he comes to the plate
— SNY (@SNYtv) September 14, 2026
The Citi Field PA played "Layla," his walk-up song last season pic.twitter.com/zH9nKLkI8u
It’s not unusual for a fan base to welcome a returning icon that way, but the audience took it a step further. The Mets faithful appeared to be actively rooting against their own team in favor of the visiting Alonso. The All-Star slugger just barely missed a home run in his second at-bat, which twisted a little too far foul. The result drew audible groans from the crowd.
Fans then booed Mets pitcher Jonah Tong when he walked Alonso instead of giving him something to hit.Pete Alonso was this close to hitting an absolute moonshot for his 300th career homer pic.twitter.com/jRMj3nxpf1
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 14, 2026
Mets fans boo as Jonah Tong walks Pete Alonso and all Tong can do is smile.
— Master Flip | Phillip Feliz 🇩🇴 (@Masterflip_) September 14, 2026
Mets fans want to see #300 tonight 😆 #LGM pic.twitter.com/cy9dPlYOnh
It was a scene that left reporters and neutral observers in disbelief.
What an wild sequence here in the third inning.
— Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) September 14, 2026
Pete Alonso hit a towering foul ball with home run distance down the left-field line and the entire crowd at Citi Field groaned. I don't think I've ever heard a fan base root so hard for a player on another team like this before.…
I haven't seen everything, but I can't remember a visiting player receiving as much love in their return to their old park as Pete Alonso is getting at Citi Field tonight.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) September 14, 2026
The Mets have long been outside the playoff picture, and the fans certainly knew that. Watching Alonso hit his 300th career home run at Citi Field mattered more to most in attendance than winning an inconsequential late-season contest.
Alonso remains the Mets’ franchise leader in home runs with 264 across seven seasons in New York.
