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The record-breaking moment occurred Thursday evening, August 15, at SunTrust Park in Cobb County, outside Atlanta. Alonso strode to the plate in the first inning, with no outs and Amed Rosario and Joe Panik having started off the game nicely with a double and a single. One-time star Julio Teheran was on his heels, but he couldn't find enough youth in his fastball. He made his 0-1 offering to Alonso and his face fell almost upon the release, as Alonso crushed the ball to deep straightaway center, so far beyond the centerfield wall that Atlanta centerfielder Ender Inciarte made only the most symbolic gesture of pursuit.
As Rosario and Panik scored, Alonso accepted a congratulatory butt-slap from third-base coach Glenn Sherlock as he turned toward home in time to see his teammates streaming out of the dugout to meet him at the plate. Players, coaches, and trainers all wanted a piece of this historic occasion, and to salute Alonso for breaking a record many thought un-breakable. And then, the sea of Metropolitans parted. But rather than Moses, it was Cleon Jones stepping into the gap, wearing a convincing replica of his 1966 Mets road jersey, and doing a pretty good job filling it out despite his 77 summers.
Alonso smiled like a little boy as he crossed the plate, hugging the Mets legend like a long-lost great uncle. Tears filled the young firstbaseman's eyes as the two shook hands and Jones pointed the rookie toward the awaiting photographer pool. Flashes exploded as the SunTrust crowd, in no mood to root for enemy, nonetheless realized how fortunate they were to witness such history, and rose to their feet as one. SunTrust grounds crew members began prying up home plate to send home with Pete to add to a quickly growing collection of milestone memorabilia, as ballpark organist Matthew Kaminski cycled through a medley of tribute songs: "Peter Piper," "The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead," "Peter Gunn's Theme." Braves manager Brian Snitker placed the plate in Pete's hand along with a check from the home team for Pete's favorite charity, The Tunnels to Towers Foundation, which raises money for families of first responders.
As much as time seemed to stand still, the game had to continue, so his teammates led the young hero back to the dugout, with even the Braves defenders still on the field clapping. Teheran tried to quickly regain his composure while staring in at Michael Conforto, when one more roar rose up out of the SunTrust crowd, as the crowd cried out for a curtain call from the visiting colossus. An embarrassed Alonso demurred as he sought to catch his breath by the water cooler. But Mets catcher Wilson Ramos would have none of it, wrapping his muscular arms around the rookie and playfully dragging him up the dugout steps. "Ahora puedo decir que he visto a un búfalo luchar con un oso polar!" laughed Juan Alicea, announcing on ESPN Deportes Nueva York, "Now I can say I've seen a buffalo wrestle a polar bear!"
Alonso tipped his cap, took a moment to take it all in, his eyes scanning the crowd, suddenly spotting his tearful parents, Peter and Michelle Alonso, accepting congratulations from the SunTrust denizens around them. Pete exhaled and tossed his hat to a cheering boy behind the dugout. And rather than fight him for it, all those around the lucky young fan congratulated him with slaps on the back.
Talking to Justine Ward in the next half inning, Cleon Jones talked about how important it was to be there at this particular moment. "I drove up 65 from Mobile," the Alabama native said, "and then I spent the night with a friend in Montgomery before getting an early start this morning down 85 into Atlanta. Everybody's been great, and Pete's everything you want to see in a ballplayer wearing your old uniform. I was fortunate enough to have a pretty good career, and I even set a few records along the way. This — THIS — was the record I was most proud of. But I'm an old man. My legacy is secure, and this is just one more thing you can't take with you. So it's truly an honor to pass this one on to Piss-Mi- ... — to Peter Alonso."
That's how I remember it, anyhow.
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