Everything Pete Alonso Said on Return to Mets' Citi Field, Fans Show Support After Orioles Contract

For the first time since signing with the Baltimore Orioles in December, Pete Alonso will return to Citi Field to take on the New York Mets.

Ahead of the matchup against his former team on Monday, Alonso discussed being back in the stadium he once called home. He also talked to Mets owner Steve Cohen and had plenty of support from fans.

"New York is always going to feel like some sort of homecoming," he said. "The city is really special."

The Mets drafted Alonso in the 2016 MLB Draft, and he made his major league debut with New York in 2019. He was the cornerstone of the franchise for more than half a decade, earning five All-Star nods, NL Rookie of the Year and All-MLB First Team honors in 2019.

After seven seasons with the Mets, Alonso signed a five-year, $155 million deal with the Orioles in December to end his tenure in New York.

The Mets reportedly never made Alonso an offer because the bids he was getting from other teams were far above what New York was willing to pay to keep its star first baseman around.

Alonso said he has no hard feelings against his organization after the Mets chose not to pursue him in free agency.

"When you have something really, really good in front of you, for me especially, when it comes down to business negotiatons, you don't want to, I guess, kind of look elsewhere," Alonso told reporters. "For me, when Baltimore came, they obviously expressed some serious interest and for me, if they're expressing themselves seriously, then I'm going to listen seriously. I feel like Baltimore's home. I feel so at home and really just so genuinely happy where it's like, I really see myself in a really good way with this organization. Hopefully, I get to finish my career here as an Oriole. I'm beyond blessed to be an Oriole."

Alonso has put together a strong first season with the Orioles, recording 35 homers and 100 RBI while slashing .269/.363/.499. Just like the Mets, though, Baltimore is unlikely to reach the postseason as it sits at the bottom of the AL East at 72-78.

Alonso seemingly doesn't have any resentment against his former team, but he'll still be looking for a series win against the Mets this week.