ST. LOUIS — In baseball, a sport where even the best players seldom succeed in the majority of their attempts, Pete Alonso is fully aware that achieving perfection is unlikely. However, this knowledge doesn’t deter the slugger from striving for excellence every time he takes the field.
During Friday night’s game in which the Mets triumphed 9-3 over St. Louis, Alonso hit a crucial home run that not only secured the lead but also highlighted his exceptional performance as the season unfolds. “This game is truly imperfect, and I recognize it will likely never reach perfection. Nonetheless, my aim remains to pursue that ideal,” Alonso commented.
In his first 33 games, Alonso boasts an impressive 1.137 OPS, contributing significantly to the Mets’ leading position in the NL East. Previously known for being a .249 career hitter until this year, his batting average has surged to .345, and he has accumulated 24 walks. Alonso revealed that his determination to elevate his game was fueled by experiencing playoff action last year when New York advanced to the NL Championship Series.
“Every game is crucial,” Alonso emphasized, underscoring the importance of each at-bat and every tactical decision during a game.
This is Alonso’s seventh year competing in Major League Baseball, and he noted, “I have pinpointed what it takes to succeed. For me, that means fine-tuning my swing mechanics and aspiring to present my best self with each pitch, every at-bat, and every game night.”
Watching from the dugout, Brandon Nimmo, a teammate throughout Alonso’s entire big-league tenure, has observed the evolution in Alonso’s performance. “It’s evident just how much effort he’s invested during the offseason. He seems to be in an incredibly advantageous position,” Nimmo remarked. “This level of performance is not fleeting; it’s sustained over time.”
Last season, Alonso’s strikeout rate was nearly 25% of his plate appearances, placing him among the top 14 players with the highest strikeout rates. This year, however, that figure has dropped to under 15%.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza commented on Alonso’s progress, stating, “His power is undeniable, and he’s proven himself a skillful hitter. But he struggles when he starts chasing pitches. I believe he’s now more selective, taking his walks, making solid contact when getting pitches to hit, and not letting those opportunities slip by.”