As notable as the moment when Pete Alonso’s 253rd career home run disappeared behind the right field wall Tuesday night were the 10 or so minutes that followed: a spontaneous outpouring of love from Citi Field to its new franchise home run leader. These are the things less easy to quantify than stats: what a player means to a team.
Alonso means that much to the Mets. If we accept it as universal law that Tom Seaver is the most significant Met in history, it is fair to now put Alonso’s name in with just about anyone else — it’s at least in the conversation. How you choose to judge them is as subjective as the law allows. Stats? Championships? Historic placement? Q rating? Emotional ties?
Let’s say it’s all of the above, and let’s say there are no wrong answers, and let’s remember that every team can have the same enjoyable debate. So where does Alonso holding the all-time Mets homer record stand with the HR kings of the other 29 teams? Here’s one man’s stab at that. And as always, we are delighted to hear dissenting voices (and assenting ones too!).
1. Babe Ruth, Yankees, 659: He is the primogenitor of all home run sluggers. It started with him, and all who come after queue in line behind him. I believe this one is unanimous.
