New York Mets star first baseman Pete Alonso hit his 53rd home run of the season Saturday, breaking Aaron Judge‘s record for most homers by a rookie in one season.
Alonso hit a solo shot in his second at-bat against Atlanta Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz.
Judge hit 52 home runs in 2017 and predicted late Friday night that Alonso would break his record.
“No better person to share it with,” Judge said Friday, after Alonso tied him at 52 homers. “He’s eventually going to break it, I know that for sure. Happy for him.
“I had a chance to meet him this year and talk to him a little bit, and no better individual to represent not only the Mets, but the city of New York. He’s going to do a lot of special things over his long career. I’m excited for him. This is just the beginning for him, the first of many records he’s going to break.”
Alonso has already set Mets franchise records for homers, total bases and extra-base hits.