Alonso's Citi Field Return Exposes Mets' Offseason Blunder

Belle Glade baseball followers remember Pete Alonso, once the face of the New York Mets. On Monday night, Sept. 15, 2026, Alonso returned to Citi Field for the first time since leaving, now playing for the Baltimore Orioles. Mets fans offered a mix of warmth and lingering frustration with the team's management.

Alonso, who spent seven years with the Mets and holds the franchise's all-time home run record, received a standing ovation before the game and each time he approached the plate. A tribute video chronicled his time with the team and visibly moved him. "I blinked, and the seven years went by. It felt so quick. I'm just grateful for the years, the experiences, the people. It's really cool," Alonso said.

Fans chanted "Pete Alonso." They also chanted "Fire Stearns," signaling a divided fanbase. Signs read, "Polar Bear is back in his habitat," and "Wherever you roam, New York will always be your home." This duality reflects the community's conflicting loyalty to Alonso and anger toward the Mets' front office.

The Mets' decision to let Alonso depart in free agency without an offer is proving a miscalculation. Alonso signed a five-year, $155 million deal with the Orioles and is having a productive season, with 35 home runs and 100 RBIs. He is one of two major league players to appear in every game since the start of the 2024 season.

In contrast, the Mets signed infielder Jorge Polanco to a two-year, $40 million contract to fill the void. Polanco missed significant time due to injuries, playing in only 37 games and batting .148. His season ended with ankle surgery, and he played only two games at first base, a position the Mets hoped he would cover.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz noted Alonso's impactful return. "It was a cool moment. It shows how much impact a player can make on the fanbase, the city," Albernaz said. "He's doing that here in Baltimore. Pete deserves every bit of that."

Alonso entered the game one shy of 300 career home runs, a milestone he shares with former teammate Francisco Lindor. Alonso said hitting his 300th homer in Flushing would be meaningful, especially if Lindor also reached the mark in the same game.