New York Mets rookie Pete Alonso is on another level.
Not only is Alonso the National League record holder for most home runs by a rookie in a season, but the slugger has also shown tremendous leadership and awareness.
Alonso organized an effort for his team to wear custom cleats for their game on 9/11 to commemorate the tragic day. His effort included getting all of his teammates’ cleat sizes. He also paid for them, according to Tim Healey.
Pete Alonso ordered the cleats that his Mets teammates are wearing to commemorate 9/11.#NeverForget ???????? pic.twitter.com/5FpbmbsiGl
— SNY (@SNYtv) September 12, 2019
Pete Alonso orchestrated the Mets’ wearing of commemorative 9/11-themed cleats tonight.
He planned it for weeks, ordered & paid for everybody’s shoes and enlisted other clubhouse leaders (including Jacob deGrom) to get everyone on board. pic.twitter.com/fiJbYCU8mq
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) September 12, 2019
The cleats depict images of the American flag, plus the Sept. 11, 2001 date, the words: “We will never forget”. The cleats also have NYPD/FDNY/EMT lettering to honor the first responders.
You may not think much of a professional athlete paying for it out of his pocket, but Alonso earns $555,000 as a rookie — not the millions players of his caliber receive — making this gesture even more impressive. Between this and the celebration trend he started with the team, Alonso is a real leader.
**As a bonus, the Mets scored 9 runs on 11 hits in the game.
