Jul 8, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) in the 2019 MLB Home Run Derby at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pete Alonso simply has what it takes to be a leader and a captain. Despite growing up outside of New York for a majority of his life, the Mets first baseman quickly understood the impact of the attacks. He even ordered custom cleats for him and his teammates to commemorate those affected by the attacks and on Tuesday, he donated them to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
Alonso remembered being pulled out of school during the attacks, but he was not old enough to truly realize the impact it had. When he went to Brooklyn to play for the Cyclones in 2016, he started to learn how deep of an impact it had on the city.
When the MLB continued to deny the Mets from wearing first responder hats on 9/11, Alonso knew he had to figure out a way they could show their support. The custom cleats with the colors of the American flag and first responder logos were on display during their 9/11 game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Alonso was an All-Star, home run derby champion, owner of the rookie home run leader, but has been even bigger off the field. He has been proud of what he can do since he has a much larger platform to do good. When he won the home run derby, he donated $100,000 to charity, half of it went to Tunnel to Towers. It is a non-profit for families of NYC servicemen and women.
Alonso says he is never going to fully understand the impact, but all he wants to do is help. For the Mets they look like they have their leader and face of the franchise for the next decade.
This post was published on 2019-10-02 18:14
