Happy Tuesday, Camden Chatters!
The Orioles got off to a good start last night in New York, getting a 2-1 win over the Mets. In his return to Citi Field, Pete Alonso was hitless with a walk. You might forgive him if he was putting pressure on himself. Nearly 36,000 Mets fans showed up to welcome their former slugger back to town.
Before the game began, a Pete Alonso chant broke out in the stands. As he stepped to the plate in the top of the first inning, he received an ovation the likes of which I’ve
never seen for an opposing or returning player. The sound system blared Layla, which was Alonso’s walk-up music in New York, as he was announced. The crowd rose to its feet and gave him a hero’s welcome. Alonso waved his helmet to the crowd as fans waved back Alonso Mets jerseys and signs expressing their love.
It was emotional. Pete is ours now, and I’m so glad he is. But I really felt for those Mets fans. The Mets organization showed no interest in bringing Alonso back when he reached free agency, even though it seemed clear that he would have stayed if they wanted him. I have felt a kinship with Mets fans over these recent years as their favorite team continues to bumble through the seasons. Last night, as they welcomed Alonso, I felt a bit like an intruder watching.
Alonso flew out in his first at-bat, and when Gunnar Henderson stepped into the box, the chants changed to “Fire Stearns!” referencing Mets GM David Stearns, who let Alonso walk. And the cheering didn’t stop there. They cheered for Alonso every time he came to the plate. In his second plate appearance, when he walked, I felt bad for starting pitcher Jonah Tong. His hometown team was cheering for the guy opposing him!
With the Orioles up 2-1 in the top of the ninth, Dylan Beavers struck out to end the inning and leave Alonso in the on-deck circle. It wasn’t exactly Brady Anderson striking out to end the 2001 season with Cal Ripken on deck, but there was disappointment in the air.
When the game began, I learned that longtime Alonso teammate Francisco Lindor is also sitting on 299 home runs. I wouldn’t hate it if they both hit #300 in the same game, as long as the Orioles won. Let’s see that tonight, ok?
Links
Pete Alonso is serenaded in return to Citi Field, then Orioles go on to beat Mets – The Baltimore Banner
As always, Alonso said all the right things about coming to Baltimore. Even on a night when New York went crazy for him.
Here are the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award nominees – MLB.com
The Orioles nominated Alonso for the award, which is given annually to a player who best represents baseball “through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.” Former Oriole Cedric Mullins was also nominated.
Birthdays and History
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! I am sorry to report that it is not a banner day for Orioles birthday buddies. Former Orioles John Pacella (70) and Dave Pagan (77) are celebrating today. What, you don’t remember them? Both were pitchers. Pacella appeared in six games with the 1984 Orioles and Pagan was in 20 games with the 1976 team.
On this day in 1977, the Orioles forfeited to the Blue Jays when Earl Weaver pulled his team off the field in the fifth inning. The bullpen mound had a tarp being held down by a pile of bricks, which Weaver said was a hazard to his players.
In 1990, Cal and Billy Ripken homered in the same game, but the Orioles lost to the Blue Jays 4-3 on a walk-off home run.
In 1996, the Orioles beat the Tigers 16-6. Brady Anderson, Mark Parent, and Bobby Bonilla hit home runs. Cal Ripken hit two. As a team, they passed the 1961 Yankees’ record for most home runs in a season (240). They finished with 257, which is currently 11th most all-time.
In 1997, Eric Davis played after having a cancerous tumor removed just two months earlier. He was hitless in the 6-5 Orioles win, but who cares? What a player.
In 2023, the Orioles signed Albert Suárez to a contract for the first of many times.
Also in 2023, Adam Jones returned to the Orioles to sign a one-day contract and retire as an Oriole.
One year ago today, the Orioles defeated the White Sox 4-1. Kyle Bradish allowed one run in five innings. Jackson Holliday hit leadoff with two hits, and Colton Cowser hit a sixth-inning three-run homer to put the Orioles ahead.
