Pete Alonso already appears to have won over the local fans in his first season.
The rookie first baseman helped the New York Mets complete a come-from-behind 6-5 victory over the Washington Nationals on Saturday. With the team trailing 5-3 in the eighth inning, Alonso got the rally started with a solo home run, which was followed by another solo shot by Robinson Cano, and later, an RBI single by Keon Broxton to put the Mets ahead for good.
Addressing reporters after the game, Alonso quoted the famous Mets saying, “Ya Gotta Believe” in reference to the win, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
Pete Alonso on the Mets' comeback: "Never count us out. Like the Mets saying is, 'Ya Gotta Believe.'"
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) April 6, 2019
The saying, coined by Mets reliever Tug McGraw during the team’s surprise 1973 World Series run, has become a rallying cry for the team ever since. It was also enough for Alonso to earn the love of countless Mets fans on Twitter.
This guy is meant to be a Met
— Amed Rosario stan account (@AmedRosario1) April 6, 2019
OMG I love Alonso #Mets pic.twitter.com/QxNcAwi385
— James (@JLFNYNJ94) April 6, 2019
— [+] (@henny_kravitzz) April 6, 2019
He'll be the face of our franchise one day
— NYMETSFAN! (@metsfan11081) April 6, 2019
I love him so much
— Anthony (@AnthonyMS2120) April 6, 2019
I WANT TO ADOPT HIM
— Chalulu (@chalulu23) April 6, 2019
At just 24, Alonso has begun to emerge as a star with a .367 batting average and a 1.139 OPS plus two home runs and eight RBIs in his first eight career games. Though the Mets took a risk putting him on their Opening Day roster, the move already seems to be paying some huge dividends for them.
