Darryl Strawberry gets blunt about Pete Alonso's Mets home run pursuit

New York Mets home run leader Darryl Strawberry spoke about Pete Alonso closing in on his franchise record.

Jun 1, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets former player Darryl Strawberry speaks during a press conference at Citi Field before his number is retired by the team in a ceremony before a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso is currently sitting on 251 home runs in his MLB career, all of which have come with the Mets.

Therefore, the 30-year-old first baseman is just one home run shy of the 252 that New York icon Darryl Strawberry produced for the Mets, which is the most in franchise history.

Read more: Mets' offense reaches new low in series sweep to Guardians

Given how competitive the world's best baseball players are and how prestigious owning an MLB franchise's all-time home run record is, one couldn't blame Strawberry for wanting to keep that record for himself. However, that wasn't the case at all, as conveyed in the comments Strawberry made when speaking with reporters on August 7.

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) hits a three-run home run off of Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Corbin Burnes during the fourth inning of their game Monday, September 19, 2022 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wis. Brewers19 6 | MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Darryl Strawberry Talks Pete Alonso's Imminent Mets Home Run Record

“You’re talking about a record that’s been there for 35 years, that’s a long time, and records are meant to be broken,” Strawberry said before a Mets Double-A game, per an X post from Matt Kardos of SomersetPatriots.com.

“I think too many players [who] played professional sports always think their records should stand and no one should break [them], and that’s not true. There are going to be players that come along that will break their record, and I’m happy for Pete. Because he’s a good guy," Strawberry continued.

“He’s not one of the bad guys in baseball. He’s a guy that loves playing in New York, and hopefully he’ll achieve it soon.”

Here were Strawberry’s full comments on Pete Alonso approaching his Mets home run record.

🎥 @SOMPatriots https://t.co/wxjFm0lz3X pic.twitter.com/Un7gqfMfM3

— Matt Kardos (@mattkardos) August 6, 2025

Darryl Strawberry Continues to Provide Pete Alonso His Flowers

Strawberry also spoke about how Alonso has been able to thrive in New York, which is arguably the world's toughest market to perform in (and which Strawberry is well aware of).

“He’s been able to stand up and play in New York in front of the pressure and the expectations, which is very hard to do, I think a lot of times people don’t realize that," Strawberry said. "And he’s a homegrown player, just like I was, and when you've been developed through the organization like young players, you want to do well. He’s been able to do that, so very pleased with all of that he’s about to accomplish.” 

May 6, 1990; Flushing, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Mets right fielder Darryl Strawberry at bat against the Houston Astros at Shea Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY NETWORK | RVR Photos-Imagn Images

While Alonso has struggled at the plate for the past month or so, he's almost guaranteed to tie and surpass Strawberry's Mets home run record by the end of this month at the very latest. And Strawberry will be one of many who'll be cheering Alonso on when that record arrives.