Pete Alonso Faces Backlash After Controversial Remarks

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New York Mets star first baseman Pete Alonso is under fire after making controversial comments during a press conference. When asked about his views on a recent league-wide crackdown on pitchers using foreign substances, Alonso responded, “I don’t see what the big deal is. Everyone’s just trying to get an edge. If a little pine tar helps me hit more home runs, why not?”

His comments have sparked outrage among fans and fellow players, with many accusing Alonso of promoting cheating and undermining the integrity of the game. Some have called for him to be suspended or fined, while others have defended his remarks, arguing that using foreign substances is common practice and not a major issue.

Alonso has since clarified his comments, stating that he does not condone cheating but believes the issue is more complex than it’s being portrayed. However, the controversy continues to swirl around him, raising questions about the role of performance-enhancing substances in baseball and the responsibilities of players to uphold the game’s integrity.

Pete Alonso is slated to become a free agent after the 2024 season, and the first baseman told reporters (including Andrew Battifarano of the New York Post) that there hadn’t yet been any talks with the Mets about a long-term extension.  The only discussions between the two sides centered around the one-year, $20.5MM pact Alonso signed in January to avoid salary arbitration.

Alonso said that he would “welcome the idea” of remaining with the Mets for the rest of his career, saying “I definitely have envisioned myself being a lifelong Met, that’s something I’ve definitely thought about.  I love New York, it’s a really special place for my family….but I can’t predict the future.  And for me, I just want to focus on this season.”

Interestingly, Alonso said he is open to negotiating after Opening Day, which is something of a departure from most players’ stances on contract talks.  The majority of players set the opener as an unofficial deadline to complete negotiations so they can get into the season without any financial concerns weighing on their minds as they start play.  This deadline often isn’t absolute, of course, as it is common to see extensions announced a few days or even weeks into April, if the two sides are close enough to a deal by Opening Day that there’s willingness on both sides to finalize matters.