Two Orioles legends welcomed Pete Alonso to “Charm City.”
Alonso traded Queens to Baltimore for a five-year contract worth $155 million, signing legendary shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. and pitcher Jim Palmer were thrilled when the superstar joined the Orioles.
“Welcome to Baltimore Pete. I’m pleased that the Mets have decided to sign Pete to a five-year contract,” Palmer wrote about X on Wednesday. “272.38, 126 rbi, 309 risp not impressive enough. Now do the O’s move the left field wall back in and call it the Alonso-Ward splash zone… ??”
When a fan pushed back on Palmer’s excitement, he remained positive about the acquisition.
“Frank Robinson, who hit 49 home runs, triple Crown, WS champion with two more home runs…Pete Alonso is more like the Lee May takeover. Has more power than Lee. Lee was a great clubhouse guy, same reputation Alonso has,” he posted.
Ripken Jr. looked forward in his post Thursday to sharing a well-known Maryland delicacy with Alonso.
“Welcome to Baltimore Pete! Let’s grab some crabs,” wrote the Baseball Hall of Famer along with a crab emoji.
Alonso had his entire career with the Mets before leaving this free agency.
He was one of two high-profile players to leave the Mets organization in as many days as Edwin Diaz agreed to a deal with the Dodgers on Tuesday.
The moves have left Mets fans frustrated, and one franchise legend, Keith Hernandez, was left “speechless” by the drastic changes.
“I’m a little speechless,” he said. “This is very explosive. In my years with the Mets, I haven’t seen this kind of development happening in a new direction, I don’t think. It’s clear – it’s profound.”
Alonso will get a chance to say goodbye to Mets fans in September 2026 when the Orioles travel to Citi Field for a three-game set against the organization where he made his name.
#Cal #Ripken #Jim #Palmer #Pete #Alonso #Orioles #glad #Mets #succeeded