Pete Alonso reflects on Mets exit ahead of future return to Citi Field

While slugger Pete Alonso and his Baltimore Orioles are spending the midweek facing the rival New York Yankees, reporters from Newsday and the New York Post wanted to speak with him on Wednesday about games the Orioles will play at the New York Mets from Sept. 14 through Sept. 16.

Of course, that series will feature Alonso's return to Citi Field as an opposing player for the first time since Mets owner Steve Cohen and team president of baseball operations David Stearns let the fan-favorite first baseman reach free agency following the 2025 season. On Wednesday, Alonso suggested he has happily moved on from the events of this past offseason. 

Pete Alonso not "spiteful" with how Mets tenure ended

"Honestly, for me, nothing is spiteful," Alonso said. "During the free agent process, the Orioles were the front-runners the entire time. For me to be in a place where they see me here not for the short term but a long-term period of time, [and] not just a valuable piece from a production standpoint but a cornerstone of the franchise, I want to make good on their belief in me. I do that by playing well and helping win ballgames. It’s as simple as that."

Alonso became the Mets' all-time home run king in the summer of 2025, and he was one of the more popular players among fans of the club from 2019 through what became his final campaign with the Amazins. However, neither Cohen nor Stearns wanted to commit to Alonso on a long-term basis, and the 31-year-old ultimately signed a five-year, $155M contract with Baltimore.

Pete Alonso: Being with Orioles this summer is "really exciting"

Thus far, Alonso should feel great about relocating to the American League club. While 61-66 Baltimore began Thursday sitting 1.5 games back of the AL's final wild-card spot, the last-place Mets are 58-70.

"It’s a really exciting time," Alonso added. "Any team where you’re only a game out of a playoff spot deep into August, a lot of people will take it. We haven’t played our best baseball collectively, but I feel as we’ve gained some momentum moving along in the second half, our best baseball is ahead of us. … We’ve done a really good job being resilient, not just individually, but as a group. I’m really proud of how the team has fought and faced adversity. It’s been really fun to be a part of."

Mets fans who never wanted the club to let Alonso walk may be wondering how much fun they could have had this summer had the
"Polar Bear" remained with what had been the only MLB home of his career.