Darryl Strawberry isn't the only NY Mets legend whose path Pete Alonso is following

Pete Alonso comparisons to Darryl Strawberry are fair. Both came up as sluggers within the New York Mets system and set home run records. Their departures in free agency link them together as well.

Mets fans will always think of them in similar breaths. However, it’s a different Mets slugger his career could emulate in reverse.

Mike Piazza is wearing a Mets cap in Cooperstown. Adored by fans in New York, the truth is his best years came with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yes, he played more total seasons and games with the Mets. Some of the numbers are outrageously different starting with a 24.6 bWAR with the Mets vs. 32 bWAR with the Dodgers.

Pete Alonso’s best years probably came with the Mets, but he could be remembered more as an Orioles player

Already 7 years logged with the Mets with only 5 under team control with the Orioles, the situation is unlikely to be exactly like Piazza. Staying with the Orioles for 7+ years is a bit of a stretch, but not impossible with added years tacked on at the end of Alonso’s career.

Alonso’s 23.3 bWAR is eerily close to what Piazza posted in his time with the Mets and is practically guaranteed to be less with the Orioles. We can’t just look at that singular number, though.

Piazza hitting a ridiculous .331 with the Dodgers versus a still outlandishly impressive .296 with the Mets is one example. Back-to-back MVP runner-up finishes in 1996 and 1997 and top 10 finishes from 1993-1995 had him as one of the league’s best hitters. The Piazza comparisons to Alonso in where both stand within the league are much different. What can be true is that Alonso ends up accomplishing something bigger in Baltimore.

We think of the Dodgers as impenetrable these days. When Piazza was there, he experienced an 0-6 record in the playoffs with them. With the Mets in 1999 and especially 2000, he was front and center.

Alonso had his big playoff moment against the Milwaukee Brewers, something Piazza never had with the Dodgers despite his regular season success. For Alonso, it’s very simple. Multiple playoff appearances with the Orioles and being that same ignitor for them that Piazza was for the Mets can easily have him going down as an Oriole first, Met second.

It’ll take some massively successful years for Alonso to have the “which cap does he wear into Cooperstown?” question asked of him.

Soon enough, the Mets will experience a similar phenomenon with Juan Soto. He’s going to be remembered most as a member of the Mets. Even if he opts out after 5 seasons, he will have logged more full seasons in New York than he did with the Washington Nationals.

Alonso’s perception for fans in 2040 who look back at his career doesn’t matter a whole lot right now. There’s always a chance both fanbases kind of think of him the same way. Keith Hernandez is almost as much a Met as he was a St. Louis Cardinal. His best years were with the Cardinals, but a championship in New York and his continued connection through broadcasting has changed things.