Inside The Mets

New York Mets Slugger Honors Hank Aaron On Historic Anniversary

New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso paid tribute to MLB legend Hank Aaron.

Tyler Maher

Apr 4, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) hits a single against the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning at Citi Field.
Apr 4, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) hits a single against the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning at Citi Field. / Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
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April is an important month on the baseball calendar. Not only does it mark the first full month of the regular season, but it also includes several important anniversaries, including Jackie Robinson Day on April 15, and Hank Aaron Day on April 8.

April 8, 2024 marked the 50th anniversary of Aaron passing Babe Ruth on the all-time home run list. Aaron swatted his 715th career home run that day and remained the Home Run King for 43 years until Barry Bonds passed him in 2007.

New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso sat down with the MLB Tonight crew before Monday's game against the Atlanta Braves -- Aaron's former team -- to discuss Aaron's remarkable accomplishment.

Alonso, who describes himself as a baseball nerd, was especially proud to wear Aaron's No. 44 during the 2021 Home Run Derby at Coors Field, which he won. Alonso spoke reverently of Aaron and how special it was to wear his jersey number as a tribute after the legend passed away earlier that year.

While Alonso is still a long way away from Aaron's 755 career home runs (only 561 to go), he's already done something that Aaron never did. While Aaron famously never hit 50 homers in a season, Alonso went yard 53 times in 2019, setting a rookie record in the process.

Alonso credits his success to taking care of his body and doing damage on pitches that stray into his sweet spot.

Aaron will always be the gold standard for power hitters, but Alonso has already made his mark on the game as one of the best sluggers of his generation.

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Tyler Maher
TYLER MAHER

Tyler is a writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. He grew up in Massachusetts and is a huge Boston sports fan, especially the Red Sox. He went to Tufts University and played club baseball for the Jumbos. Since graduating, he has worked for MLB.com, The Game Day, FanDuel and Forbes. When he's not writing about baseball, he enjoys running, traveling, and playing fetch with his golden retriever.

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