New York Mets Slugger Pete Alonso Makes History By Hitting 45th Home Run of Season

Pete Alonso reached the 45-homer mark on the second time in his career Friday night, joining Ryan Howard and Prince Fielder in the history books.

New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso went deep against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, reaching a major milestone and making history in the process.

Alonso's 425-foot three-run home run tied the score at 3-3 in the sixth inning, although the Mets went on to lose 5-3. Still, Alonso cracked 45 home runs on the season with his towering shot to left-center.

According to TSN's StatsCentre, Alonso became the fourth player in MLB history to reach 45 homers multiple times in his first five seasons. 

Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Ralph Kiner was the first player to achieve the feat – doing so three times between 1946 and 1950 – and he stood alone in the history books until Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard joined him in 2009. Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder broke into the group in 2010, and no one else had done it since until Alonso on Friday.

Via his 3-run shot vs CIN tonight, the @Mets Pete Alonso joined Ralph Kiner (3 times between 1946-50), Ryan Howard (3 times between 2004-08) and Prince Fielder (twice between 2005-09) as the only players to hit 45+ home runs multiple times within their first 5 career MLB seasons pic.twitter.com/AJ1hKqaCIL

— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) September 16, 2023

Alonso hit 53 home runs as a rookie in 2019, but only 16 in 2020 as a result of the COVID-shortened season. If he had played 161 games that season – which is the mark he reached the year before – Alonso was on pace for 45 homers in his second season as well.

In 2021, Alonso hit 37 home runs, then he crushed an even 40 the following season.

With two weeks left in his fifth MLB campaign, Alonso has 191 home runs and 492 RBI to go along with his .254 batting average, .880 OPS and 17.7 WAR.

Alonso passed Milwaukee Braves third baseman Eddie Matthews on the list of most home runs through five seasons with his 191st career shot Friday, moving him into sole possession of third place. Kiner has the most with 215, while St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols sits in second with 201 having played 121 more games than Alonso.

Alonso and the Mets will try to avenge their loss to the Reds in game two of the weekend series Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.

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