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The buzz that Pete Alonso has generated by signing his $155 million contract with the Orioles really came to life last week. Much more than words and photos on a billboard or on social media posts. It became faces and voices at the Birdland Caravan, with fans getting a chance to express their gratitude, appreciation and anything else to make him feel at home.
Alonso sat with manager Craig Albernaz for a question-and-answer session at the Senator Theatre, cracking jokes and asking for input on his walk-up song. He greeted the participants at the “Blessings in a Backpack” event on the sixth floor of the warehouse while also boxing bags of food for students at Beechfield Elementary/Middle School who otherwise might not have a meal on the weekends.
People showered him with applause before having to dig out from the snowstorm.
“It’s been great so far,” he said. “Just seeing the amount of excitement and passion that people have this early just before spring training, it’s really exciting. It’s an exciting time in Birdland and I’m honored to be part of it.
“Just seeing everybody and hearing their excitement and feeling their excitement, too. The amount of intensity that you hear, it’s just really, I feel like this is like, I’ve used the word ‘shift.’ Talking with Alby, he’s like, it’s true. The organization from the top-bottom, it’s like we’re charging toward something forward, we’re working toward something forward, and it’s really gonna be a special time.
“We’ve got to go prove it out on the field during the season, but I know the fans are excited, the city’s excited, and we’re wanting to deliver a good season and a lot of wins for this town and the fans.”
Alonso has texted his new teammates and spoken to them on the phone, but the Caravan, even in his truncated form and with fewer players due to the ominous forecast, allowed for much more personal exchanges.
“Having that face-to-face interaction, you really can’t beat that,” he said. “I know I’m gonna be spending a ton of time with everybody as the baseball season … you kind of spend more time together than you do your own family, and I’m really excited because these guys seem to be just really excited. There’s a lot of excellent vibes, and I feel like the excitement just needs to be carried into the spring.
“It’s a great group and everyone’s excited, and having that excitement just makes you want to work extra and come together and really gear up the best possible way for the season. It’s been good so far. It’s really nice.”
Alonso signed his five-year contract on Dec. 11, after closer Ryan Helsley and before the Orioles traded for Shane Baz and re-signed Zach Eflin.
“I think it’s been a great offseason, but the whole point is to win during the 162 and in the postseason,” Alonso said. “Going out there and getting talent, and you need talent to win games. I mean, that’s been big-time. This front office and ownership group has shown a tremendous amount of belief, and we’ve got to prove it every day. It’s an exciting time.
“I can’t stress enough – I know I’m gonna say the same thing – how excited I am, but it just means … you just can’t express the amount of excitement you have, not just for myself but the entire group.”
This is Alonso’s first time playing for another team after seven seasons and five All-Star selections with the Mets. He isn’t nervous. Again, he brought up his high level of excitement.
“This is a new chapter and this is something that I welcome and embrace,” he said. “Yeah, new city, new team, new everything, but for me, when Mike (Elias) and Alby, when we had our meeting, as they laid everything out for me, this is just an unbelievable opportunity and I’m honored to be a part of it.
“The shift that the ownership has made in committing, and that goes down to the front office and that goes to the coaches, the players, and even down to the minor leagues, you see a huge, not just effort but time and intensity and working toward a goal. So it’s been awesome to be a part of and feel the momentum. But it’s our job on the field to go do it and make the most of every day and come home with a win.”
Alonso has a burning desire to hoist the World Series trophy. Landing a big contract isn’t enough for him.
“I hope that this unlocks a different level,” he said. “I’m hopeful and I’ve been working toward that. For me, I think this is a perfect environment. It’s is a great place to hit. AL East, I know it’s a really tough division, but there’s some great parks to hit in, as well. For me to be able to provide some experience to this really talented young core, I’m happy to contribute that way, as well.
“I really do believe the sky’s the limit for this club. I cannot express enough how excited I am to be a part of this. This movement and this group, it’s really special. … I know it’s about wins and losses and not just this organization but people in the city, they want it so bad. I want to win a championship and I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”
His teammates fully endorse having the Polar Bear roaming the clubhouse. They love his reputation, his leadership qualities, and yes, his prolific home run bat.
“He’s a great guy and I’m pumped up to have him,” said shortstop Gunnar Henderson. “Really looking forward to getting into the season, getting into the grind with him. I know he’s going to be great with us and everybody else is going to really enjoy having him around.
“Just the experiences that he’s brought being in obviously one of the biggest markets and just being able to pick his brain on how he’s handled stuff. Obviously, being deep in playoff runs in in years past, that’s something I look forward to chatting with him about and kind of seeing how his experiences have helped him.”
“Pete's been great," said pitcher Tyler Wells. "It's been a blast kind of getting to know and getting to know his personality a little bit, and it's gonna be a big help for us this year. I think he’s very energetic and I think he’s very intentful on what he wants for us as a team as a whole. When you’ve got a veteran guy like that who’s gonna be here for a good while come in and really establish that right out of the gate, I think it’s very important. I think it’s gonna be very huge for the club.”
Young catcher Samuel Basallo said via interpreter Brandon Quinones that the Alonso signing “got me really excited, and I think having him around in the clubhouse will help me a lot.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing the type of impact he’ll have,” Basallo said.
