Juan Soto, the All-Star outfielder currently with the San Diego Padres, expressed understanding of the enthusiastic reception former Mets slugger Pete Alonso received from fans during Alonso’s recent visit to Citi Field. Alonso drew cheers and a curtain call after hitting his 300th career home run on Tuesday, a milestone accomplished almost entirely with the Mets, where he became the franchise’s all-time leader in home runs.
Speaking Wednesday ahead of the Mets’ series finale against the Baltimore Orioles, Soto noted that the applause for Alonso should not be seen as hostility toward the Mets organization. “I don’t think they turned on us,” Soto said. “I think they just cheered for him. He did everything for this city, for this organization, and I feel like they appreciated it and they were cheering for him.”
This season has been challenging for Mets fans, with the team falling out of playoff contention by late June, resulting in the dismissal of manager Carlos Mendoza. Soto suggested that fans may have been reserving their enthusiasm for moments like Alonso’s milestone, saying, “They haven’t had much to cheer about, and they finally got something that they want to have fun with and they just did it.”
Alonso, who hit 264 of his homers as a Met, left New York after signing a five-year, $155 million contract with Baltimore last offseason. The Mets declined to offer Alonso a long-term contract, instead acquiring Jorge Polanco on a two-year, $40 million deal. Polanco’s season was hampered by injuries, limiting him to 37 games before he underwent season-ending ankle surgery, and he struggled offensively with a .431 OPS.
While Alonso’s ninth-inning home run Tuesday off Mets starter Kodai Senga tied the game, the Orioles ultimately won 7-5 in 11 innings. Alonso’s home run prompted a standing ovation from Mets fans, a reaction that some, like Orioles pitcher Sean Manaea, found surprising given the competitive context.
Soto drew parallels between Alonso’s return to Citi Field and his own experiences returning to Washington after being traded by the Nationals to the Padres. A well-regarded figure in Washington who won a World Series with the Nationals, Soto said he still receives warm receptions from Nationals fans whenever he visits.
The reception for Alonso highlights the complex relationship between players and fans when athletes transition to new teams, especially after significant contributions to a franchise. For Mets supporters enduring a difficult season, Alonso’s milestone provided a rare opportunity for celebration.