4 reasons why every New York Mets fan should believe in this team again

2) Pete Alonso: the man, the myth, the legend

Do you remember the old Chuck Norris facts that used to rule the internet? "Chuck Norris invented the giraffe when he uppercutted a horse." "Chuck Norris makes onions cry." Pete Alonso is the new Chuck Norris.

There's nothing you could tell me that Pete Alonso accomplished that I wouldn't believe. Pete Alonso hit a walk-off homer against the best team in baseball. Pete Alonso defeated a brick wall in tennis. Pete Alonso hit an opposite field grand slam to tie the Guardians. Pete Alonso destroyed the periodic table because the only element Pete Alonso believes in is the element of surprise. See? Where's the lie?

Like Atlas holding up the Earth, Alonso has hoisted the Mets upon his dependable shoulders in the past week. I wouldn't be surprised if he took the short walk over to the Unisphere and lifted it up as a postgame workout after helping the Mets to another dramatic win. The Mets' mythic first baseman has homered in four straight games, coming up biggest when it matters most.

Alonso has often felt like a fan that was blessed with some kind of super serum that allows him to crush baseballs, a Captain America's Pastime, if you will. The ultimate teammate, winning means more to him than anyone, a refreshing example in a pro sports landscape that too often can feel like mercenaries in pursuit of the next contract instead of the next championship.

For those keeping track at home, yes, I have compared Pete Alonso to Chuck Norris, the Greek titan Atlas, and Marvel's Captain America in the span of a few short paragraphs. Just for the record, I'm taking the Polar Bear every time.