PHOENIX — When Hurricane Helene tore through Tampa last September, Pete Alonso’s world shifted in an instant. As floodwaters filled his home back in Florida, Alonso was 1,200 miles away with the New York Mets, trying to help his team secure a playoff berth in Milwaukee. Baseball suddenly seemed small.
Alonso didn’t go public with the news at the time. The slugger known as “Polar Bear” chose to stay silent, as his family and many others in his hometown faced the devastating aftermath. “We lost our home just like so many others,” Alonso said this week at Chase Field. “There was too much going on to focus on anything else — free agency took a back seat.”
Now, less than a year later, Alonso is not only back, he’s thriving — both personally and professionally. He re-signed with the Mets on a two-year, $54 million deal in February, and he’s powering a lineup that trails only the Dodgers in wins this season. Through 38 games, Alonso is batting .328 with nine home runs and 33 RBIs, anchoring a Mets offense that looks every bit like a championship contender.
But getting here wasn’t easy. Alonso’s home was flooded with three feet of water, forcing him and his wife, Haley, into temporary housing. “It’s almost back,” he said, reflecting on a long, emotional recovery process that spanned the postseason and winter months. “We’re still finishing the rebuild, but we’re close.”
Even with his personal life in disarray, Alonso delivered when it mattered. Just a week after the hurricane, he crushed a ninth-inning homer in Milwaukee to clinch the Wild Card Series. The Mets went on to beat the Phillies in the NLDS before falling to the Dodgers in the NLCS — a run that reaffirmed Alonso’s value to the franchise.
The Mets’ headline-grabbing offseason was largely dominated by their record-shattering signing of Juan Soto. But in hindsight, Alonso’s return may have been just as vital. “He’s one of the best power hitters in the game,” said shortstop Francisco Lindor. “We all wanted him back.”
His contract, which includes a player opt-out after 2025, gives Alonso flexibility. If he keeps up his current pace, he’ll be in line for an even bigger payday — from the Mets or another suitor. But for now, he’s focused on winning. “I’m just really happy to be here,” Alonso said. “I know the culture. I know the guys. It’s a special group.”
Soto, still adjusting to his new surroundings, admitted Alonso’s presence behind him in the lineup has made a difference. “It’s not easy coming to a new team,” he said. “But having Pete behind me gives me better pitches to hit. It’s helped a lot.” Despite a slow start, Soto hit two homers in Wednesday’s 7-1 win over Arizona, as the Mets took the series.
Manager Carlos Mendoza sees the chemistry developing. “When you’ve got Lindor and Soto setting the table, and Pete coming up with runners on, that’s a lot of pressure for any pitcher,” he said. “He’s making the most of those chances.”
The journey from flooded floors to postseason hero to the heart of the Mets’ lineup has reshaped Alonso’s perspective. Last year was challenging, but it forced him to reevaluate what mattered most. “I knew baseball would work out,” he said. “It was just a matter of where. Family and recovery came first.”
Now, with his house nearly rebuilt and a baby on the way, Alonso is finally settling into a season with stability — and it’s showing on the field. “Patience is a virtue,” he said. “I had to practice it off the field, and I think it’s helped me on it.”