If you’ve spent any time looking at a New York Times crossword recently, specifically the May 17, 2025 edition, you probably saw 62-Across: MLB star Pete who holds the single-season record for homers by a rookie. The answer, of course, is ALONSO. But while the NYT was celebrating his history, the actual baseball world was mourning an era.
Pete Alonso is no longer a Met.
It feels weird to even type that. For seven years, the "Polar Bear" was the heartbeat of Queens. He wasn't just a first baseman; he was the guy who stayed late, hugged everyone, and hit balls into the stratosphere. Then, the 2025-2026 offseason hit like a bucket of ice water. On December 10, 2025, the news broke: Alonso signed a five-year, $155 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles.
The NYT Clue and the Reality of 2026
The "MLB star Pete NYT" search spike didn't just come from puzzle enthusiasts. It came from fans trying to reconcile the legend they read about in the Sunday paper with the guy now wearing orange and black in Camden Yards. Most people assume the Mets tried everything to keep him. Honestly? They didn't.
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Reports from insiders like SNY’s Todd Zeile and ESPN’s Jeff Passan confirmed the Mets never even made a formal offer before he bolted. David Stearns and the front office were looking for a "team-friendly" deal or nothing. Baltimore, a team once known for being cheap, smelled blood in the water. They gave him the highest average annual value for a first baseman in the league.
Why Baltimore and Why Now?
You’ve gotta look at the numbers to see why the Orioles took the plunge. In 2025, his final year in New York, Alonso was a machine. He slashed .272 with 38 home runs and 126 RBIs.
- Total Home Runs: 264 (Mets franchise record-holder)
- 2025 OPS: .871
- Durability: Played 162 games in 2025.
The Orioles aren't just buying a bat; they’re buying a vacuum at first base and a guy who hasn't seen the IL in years. It’s a massive shift. Baltimore is now the heavyweight in the AL East, pairing Alonso with their young core. Meanwhile, Citi Field feels a lot quieter.
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What the "Polar Bear" Leaves Behind
It’s easy to get lost in the "MLB star Pete NYT" trivia—like the fact that he hit 53 homers as a rookie in 2019. But the nuance matters. Alonso was the guy who started the "Alonso Foundation" with his wife Haley, donating $1,000 for every home run to animal rescues. He was the guy who bought his teammates custom shirts.
Losing him wasn't just losing 40 homers a year. It was losing the clubhouse's soul.
The Mets are reportedly pivoting toward Cody Bellinger to fill the "crater-sized hole," as Pat Ragazzo put it. But Bellinger isn't a homegrown hero. He’s a mercenary. Alonso was the guy.
The Fantasy Outlook for 2026
If you’re drafting for your league this year, don't let the jersey change scare you. Camden Yards has that deep left-field wall now, sure. But Pete is a right-handed power hitter who goes opposite field with ease. Most projections for 2026 have him hitting around 37 homers with 104 RBIs.
His batting average might fluctuate—it dipped to .217 in 2023 before rebounding—but the power is as steady as a heartbeat. He’s currently ranked as the #21 overall player in most ECR (Expert Consensus Rankings).
How to Track the New Pete Alonso
- Watch the Spring Training Splits: See how he handles the Baltimore coaching staff’s approach to exit velocity.
- Monitor the Mets' Replacement: If the Mets struggle at first base early in 2026, the New York media is going to be ruthless toward the front office.
- Check the All-Star Voting: Pete has made five All-Star games. If he makes a sixth in the American League, he joins a very short list of players who dominated both circuits.
The "MLB star Pete NYT" legacy is secure in the record books, but his second act is just beginning. Whether you’re a bitter Mets fan or a thrilled O's supporter, 2026 is going to be the year we find out if the Polar Bear can survive outside of the New York winter.