After a full night’s sleep (for some) after the Mets’ miraculous comeback win in Game 3 of the Wild Card series against the Milwaukee Brewers, let’s all catch our breath, take a step back and revisit how the team was able to pull off its latest improbable win in a season where improbable wins are getting hard to keep track of.
By now, every sports fan in the country should be aware of what transpired in Milwaukee at around 9:45 p.m. on Thursday, but here’s a little refresher: Down 2-0 entering the ninth inning of an elimination game where the offense had been non-existent and facing elite closer Devin Williams, New York began its comeback.
Francisco Lindor, accounting for both of the Mets’ hits up until that inning, worked a leadoff walk after a tough eight-pitch at-bat in which he was down in the count 1-2. After Mark Vientos struck out on some nasty pitches by Williams, Brandon Nimmo singled to right on an 0-2 changeup to put runners on the corners and give the Mets a chance.
That brought up none other than Pete Alonso, who had been struggling so mightily recently as part of a down year by his standards while constantly getting peppered with questions about his unclear future in New York.
It’s true, in a contract year the first baseman hadn’t produced at the plate as much as he had in years past, drawing constant criticism from fans begging for their superstar to deliver a signature moment it felt like he had lacked all season. In fact, there was every possibility that his final at-bat in the ninth inning would be his last in the orange and blue.
But no.
A night after literally tripping over his own bat while running to first base, Alonso atoned for all of his shortcomings this year with one swing, sending a 3-1 changeup to the opposite field for a go-ahead three-run home run – the first of its kind – that put the Mets in front.
Apropos is it not?
Alonso became the first player in MLB history to hit a go-ahead home run while trailing in the ninth inning or later of a winner-take-all postseason game – you know, only what dreams are made of, that’s all.
Even more impressive? It was just the second home run allowed by Williams this season and the first he’s allowed on his devastating changeup nicknamed the “Airbender.” It was also just the seventh homer he’s allowed to a right-hander in his career and the first to the opposite field.
For manager Carlos Mendoza, who has guided New York’s ship all season long — even in rough waters that included an 0-5 start to the campaign and a season-low 11 games below .500 in early June — he felt like that was coming because it truly embodies the Mets’ 2024 season.
“The story of our year, the story of our season. The whole year we’ve been knocked down and we’ve continued to find ways to get back up,” Mendoza said. “… There’s a sense of belief in that dugout and as I’m watching it unfold, the whole situation, we’re going into the ninth and I see Lindor and I also look at who’s on deck and I see Pete Alonso right next to him and I’m going like ‘this is gonna be it right here.’”
Mendoza continued with his praise of Alonso:
“He’s Pete Alonso. He’s right there with one of the best home run hitters in the game and we talk about a down year – I don’t see it as a down year. He had a really good year, but expectations and it’s just what he’s been through the whole year.
“And then for him to get that big one, a signature moment. We just got done playing the Braves on Monday with an unbelievable comeback, and here we are, back against the wall, three outs from going home and here we are continuing to believe.”
It certainly reeks of 1973 and Tug McGraw’s famous “Ya Gotta Believe” mantra that has encapsulated the Mets and their fanbase ever since. And how fitting it is to be used again the same year that New York has been honoring McGraw’s teammate Bud Harrelson, who died on Jan. 11, with a patch on their sleeve of his number 3 and nickname “Buddy” in between.
While honoring the past is important, the 2024 Mets have added some of their own new rallying cries this season, including Jose Iglesias’ hit single “OMG” and, of course, Grimace.
But back to Alonso, his home run and why it was so important that it had to be him who came through for the team in that spot.
Despite his fourth straight season of 30 or more home runs and fifth in his first six seasons — truly an incredible feat — the first baseman’s 34 home runs just didn’t feel that impressive. Perhaps it was because it accompanied just 88 RBI, a career-low .788 OPS and countless times of not coming through in big situations.
With Thursday night’s home run, in the biggest situation of his career, the proverbial monkey is off Alonso’s back. Maybe now he can finally relax and get back to the player he’s been in his career.
“I said it yesterday, he’s one swing away from making history,” Mendoza said. “… And for Pete to come through that way, it’s a dream come true for him and what a signature moment there. One swing and here we are.
“He can carry us deep into October and we’re hoping this is the case. I’m proud of Pete because I know how much he wants it for this team, for this organization and man, we just gotta continue to believe.”
