As if he needed more accolades to finish a wonderful mural of awards and distinctions for 2019, New York Mets rookie phenom Pete Alonso has been named Rookie-of-the-Month for September. It was the third time this year that Alonso has earned top rookie for a calendar month, having won the distinction in April and in June as well. Since 2001, only eight players have won the Rookie-of-the-Month three times in a season, a list that includes Ichiro, Mike Trout and Aaron Judge. The last Met to win the honor multiple times in a season was Jacob deGrom in July and September of 2014.
In September, Alonso appeared in 27 games, went 26-for-106,with 11 home runs, 19 RBIs, 22 runs, and 3 doubles. His line for the month was .245/.322/.585. The 11 homers he hit in September broke his own franchise record for most home runs by a rookie in a single month. Carlos Beltran in 2006, was the only other Met to have at least 10 homers in two separate months during a year in franchise history.
Alonso’s almost incomprehensible 2019 full year stats: 161 G, 693 PA, .260/.358/.584, 53 HR, 103 R, 120 RBI. He won Rookie-of- the Month three of the possible six times it can be won. Throw in a 2019 Home Run Derby victory for fun and finish with the fact that no rookie until Alonso has lead MLB in homers outright and you have the makings of a Rookie-of-the-Year.
Remember back in spring training, Alonso had to earn his roster spot, which he did and promptly won top rookie for April. He rolled into the All-Star game and after a very brief slump, resumed his special ways in the second half. His list of Mets records already is impressive one of which was homer runs in a year which was 41, and was obliterated by a mere dozen by the likable rookie.
Even the man he beat for most home runs by a rookie, Aaron Judge, was impressed. He told reporters after the Yankees final game against the Texas Rangers, “There’s no better person to represent not only the Mets, but also the City of New York, he’s going to do special things over his long career. It’s the first of many records he’s going to break.”
