Darryl Strawberry Says He Was Heartbroken After Mets Let Pete Alonso Leave

Former New York Mets star Darryl Strawberry admitted he was deeply disappointed when the team decided not to bring back Pete Alonso, ending the slugger’s long run with the franchise. Strawberry shared his thoughts during a Friday appearance on WFAN before attending the Subway Series at Citi Field, where the Yankees defeated the Mets 5-2.

Strawberry said he had hoped Alonso would remain in New York for the rest of his career and eventually rewrite nearly every major offensive record in Mets history. According to the Mets legend, Alonso had the talent and consistency to become the franchise leader in several important categories beyond home runs.

The former Mets outfielder explained that he and Alonso had spent a lot of time discussing leadership, team chemistry, and the pressure that comes with playing baseball in New York City. Strawberry said he often encouraged Alonso to stay mentally strong and focused despite outside criticism and expectations.

Strawberry revealed that he was “crushed” when Alonso ultimately left the Mets in free agency and joined the Baltimore Orioles. He said Alonso’s achievements in New York had already made him one of the most important power hitters in franchise history, and he believed the first baseman’s legacy could have become even greater if he had stayed with the organization long-term.

Alonso already owns the Mets’ all-time home run record with 264 career homers, moving ahead of Strawberry’s previous franchise mark of 252. He also ranks third in team history in runs batted in with 712 RBI, trailing only David Wright and Strawberry.

While expressing disappointment over Alonso’s departure, Strawberry also acknowledged the changing nature of modern baseball. He said the sport has become more business-oriented than ever before, and difficult decisions are often made for financial or roster reasons instead of emotional connections with players and fans.

Strawberry noted that building a legacy in New York carries special meaning because of the city’s demanding sports culture. He said players who succeed there earn lasting respect, especially when their accomplishments become part of the franchise’s history inside the stadium.

Alonso’s first season with the Orioles has been a challenging one so far. The slugger is batting .213 with eight home runs and 23 RBI since leaving Queens. Despite the slow start, many Mets fans continue to follow his career closely after years of watching him become one of the team’s biggest stars.

Former Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo also recently shared similar feelings about Alonso’s exit. Nimmo said he had hoped Alonso would retire in a Mets uniform because of everything he accomplished with the club. He admitted there was uncertainty surrounding Alonso’s future after hearing that negotiations between the player and the organization had stalled.

Nimmo explained that many factors likely influenced the team’s final decision, but he still believed Alonso remaining with the Mets would have been meaningful for both the franchise and its fan base. He added that baseball decisions are often complicated and do not always match what players or supporters may want emotionally.

The departure of Alonso continues to be a major topic among Mets fans, especially because of his historic production and popularity during his time in New York. Strawberry’s comments reflected the feelings of many supporters who believed Alonso had the chance to become one of the defining players in franchise history had he remained with the team for the rest of his career.

Sources:

• New York Mets
• WFAN
• Major League Baseball (MLB)