Alonso made his MLB debut in 2019. In that rookie season, he smashed 53 home runs, breaking the previous rookie-HR record.
That same year, he was honored as NL Rookie of the Year.
• Consistent power — franchise leader in home runs
Over his Mets career, Alonso slugged 264 home runs, making him the all-time career home run leader in Mets history.
On August 13, 2025, he hit his 253rd homer, surpassing Darryl Strawberry’s long-standing franchise record.
He reached that mark in just 965 games, which is 141 fewer games than Strawberry needed.
• High-impact seasons & franchise records
Beyond 2019, Alonso delivered several strong seasons, including multiple 40+ homer campaigns.
In 2022, he set a new Mets single-season RBI record.
In the 2024 postseason, one of his defining moments — he hit a go-ahead, 3-run home run in the 9th inning of Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series, helping the Mets advance.
• Durability & consistency
Apart from the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Alonso hit 30+ home runs every full season.
His career slash line with the Mets: .253 batting average, 951 hits, 264 HR, 712 RBIs, 580 runs scored.
His slugging percentage (.516) is among the top in Mets history; his OPS (.857) ranks among the top too.
• Legacy and departure
Alonso’s combination of power, consistency, and historic achievements turned him into the Mets’ most prolific slugger.
With his franchise-record home runs and clutch postseason moments, he leaves behind a legacy as one of the most important offensive players in Mets history.
Edwin Díaz — Mets’ Closer and Strikeout Artist
• Early struggles — then resurgence
Díaz signed with the Mets in December 2018 after a trade. Early on, he struggled (especially the 2019 season).
After a difficult start and sometimes inconsistent results, he bounced back starting in 2020 and rebuilt his career as a dominant closer.
• Elite 2022 season & comeback after injury
In 2022, Díaz had a career year: 32 saves, 118 strikeouts, and an ERA of 1.31 — one of the best reliever seasons in recent Mets history.
Despite suffering a severe knee injury (torn patellar tendon) during the 2023 offseason that caused him to miss the entire 2023 season, he returned and restored his effectiveness.
• Strikeout dominance & elite closer metrics
Over his Mets career, Díaz recorded 144 saves, ranking third in Mets franchise history behind only John Franco and Armando Benítez.
He struck out 538 batters during his Mets tenure, placing him among the top relievers in franchise history in total strikeouts.
His strikeout rate (K-rate) was exceptional — among the most dominant the Mets have ever had.
• Role in Mets bullpen & reliability
Díaz became a reliable 9th-inning closer, often shutting down games and giving the Mets strong late-game security.
Over 332 appearances with the Mets, he finished 255 games — among the most in team history for a reliever.
Why They Matter for Mets History
Alonso redefined what “power” meant for the Mets — he became the franchise’s all-time home run leader in under 1,000 games. That’s remarkable considering the club’s long history and power-hitting tradition.
Díaz, after bouncing back from injury and early struggles, became a bullpen anchor: high strikeout rate, consistent saves, elite closing — not always flashy, but critical for many Mets wins.
Together, they represent two of the core strengths a team seeks: offensive firepower (Alonso) and late-game pitching reliability (Díaz). Their eras overlapped enough that at various points they provided a one-two punch that had real impact on Mets success.
