Mets legend Darryl Strawberry was thrilled to learn that free agent Pete Alonso would be "staying home" to renew his contract with the Mets.

Stroberg describes Alonso as a homegrown player who has made his mark on the Big Apple, and Alonso has a chance to further cement his legendary status this season. He was just 27 short of breaking the all-time home run record of 252 held by Stroberg. Stroberg played for the Mets from 1983 to 1990.

"He's going to break my record and someone else will break his record in the future. That's the law of sports," Stroberg said over the phone. "If my record holds for so long, it means I've achieved something...... I congratulate him when he breaks the record, just like David Wright did when he broke my scoring record. These young players are to be congratulated for their great success with the same team. ”

Alonso has achieved quite a few things in his six years with the Metropolitans. After being selected in the second round of the 2016 Major League Draft, he hit a major league rookie record of 53 home runs in three years and won two home run tournament titles. His signature moment came in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series last October, when he hit a home run to help the Mets advance to the divisional series against the Phillies when he hit a home run against Devin Williams, the Brewers finisher.

"He's true to where he's had great success. I think it's important to be able to do that without running away from the status quo," Stroberg said. "It's a plus for his future development...... I know it's a tough decision. Of course, every player has the right to fight for the best good, because careers don't last forever. ”

Stroberg has often said he doesn't want Alonso to repeat his mistakes. He became a free agent at the end of the 1990 season and subsequently signed with the Dodgers. Despite being a seven-time All-Star during his time with the Mets, Stroberg failed to live up to expectations after moving to Los Angeles and San Francisco. He later became an invaluable backup player for the Yankees from 1995 to 1999 and helped the team win two World Series titles.

"After playing in a place like New York, it feels different elsewhere," Stroberg said. "First of all, New York is the hardest place to play. To be able to play with that expectation and to be at the highest level in a place like New York, you've proven yourself to be a top player. A lot of players were reluctant to play there because of the pressure, the media, and everything that needed to be dealt with, but Pitt did. ”

"The only goal he has left now is to win the World Series. One of the achievements in my record is that we have won there. The Mets lost to the Dodgers in the 1988 Nations League Championship Game. If you don't win, no one will remember you. That's what playing in New York is all about. The key is to win. That's what the Mets and Pitt are focusing on right now. All he needs to do is take this team to new heights, they need to win titles. ”