Pete Alonso Blasts Home Run in Return to New York

Pete Alonso returned to New York City on May 1, 2026, marking the first time in his Major League Baseball career that he entered the city as a member of a visiting team. The Baltimore Orioles first baseman traveled to the Bronx to face the New York Yankees, shifting his role from a former home-team staple to an opponent in the city where he began his professional journey.

The transition back to the Big Apple was immediate for Alonso, though not for the reasons typically associated with professional sports returns. Speaking with SNY, Alonso noted that the city’s notorious traffic served as the primary indicator that he had arrived back in New York.

We flew into Newark, and then, I’m like, ‘We’re definitely back because we hit an insufferable wall of traffic,’ So it was definitely (like), ‘Yeah, alright, we’re here. We’re back; we are for sure back. This is unmistakably New York City.

Pete Alonso, Baltimore Orioles first baseman

When SNY’s Michelle Margaux questioned if Baltimore lacked traffic, Alonso joked that while the city does have traffic, it does not consist of an insufferable wall of traffic.

Performance in the Bronx

Beyond the commute, Alonso’s return was highlighted by a significant offensive performance against the Yankees. In the top of the second inning, Alonso connected with a 1-1 pitch from Yankees right-handed pitcher Will Warren, hitting a home run that landed in the second deck of right field.

The home run represented Alonso’s fifth of the current season. The power display evoked memories of his rookie campaign in 2019, during which he set a high bar for newcomers by hitting 53 home runs.

Career Context and Future Matchups

Alonso’s tenure with the New York Mets, which began in 2019, established him as one of the most formidable power hitters in the league. His return to the city as a member of the Orioles represents a new chapter in his career, though he expressed that it was great to be back and to revisit his previous experiences in the city.

While the trip to the Bronx provided a successful homecoming, a more personal milestone awaits. The Baltimore Orioles are scheduled for a three-game series in Queens, where Alonso will face his former team, the New York Mets, at Citi Field.