Hour 3: Fans Expect a Hero's Welcome for Pete Alonso in Citi Field Return

Craig Carton (0:00)

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, why not?

What a gorgeous Monday, mid-September. The Jets are 1-0, the Giants are 1-0, and Pete Alonso makes his triumphant return to Citi Field tonight as the leader in the American League in RBI's. Couldn't you see that coming?

Chris McMonigle (0:25)

He's got a hundo, 35 and a hundo. You could write that down for Pete Alonso every single year.

Craig Carton (0:31)

That's right.

Tonight's going to be an interesting night for MedFans because he's getting a standing ovation, obviously. He's getting a tribute video, obviously.

Chris McMonigle (0:41)

Obviously.

Craig Carton (0:42)

My gut is that Steve Cohen probably greets him on the field as well.

Chris McMonigle (0:48)

Like, pregame, yeah.

Craig Carton (0:49)

Yeah, which kind of also rubs Stearns' nose in a little bit, a little bit, a little bit.

Chris McMonigle (0:54)

I mean, we'll see. I'll tell you this. I think it's going to be one of the more just It's going to be an interesting scene tonight. loud, crazy reunions we've ever seen because I don't think it's limited to the first at bat. I think it's every at bat. I agree 100%. And I think every at bat might be long enough where he has to step out and tip the cap.

It's not going to be just a nice applause. It's going to be a rousing ovation over and over and over again.

Craig Carton (1:22)

I think it's two-fold also. I think 80% of it is just the adoration people have for Pete Alonso, Met fans. He was a great Met. Leave that alone.

20%, if not more, is going to be, we're going to rub Stearns' face in it. And that's why I'm with you. Every Pete Alonso at bat, everybody up. And I tell you something else, and this might be the first time this has ever happened, Met fans want him to hit a homerun.

Chris McMonigle (1:51)

I 100% agree with you. There is no doubt.

Craig Carton (1:54)

Now, you want Pete Alonso to hit a bomb.

Chris McMonigle (1:58)

8th inning, 9th inning, upper run or two, maybe not.

SPEAKER_3 (2:01)

It would cost you the game.

Craig Carton (2:02)

Outcomes are irrelevant.

Chris McMonigle (2:03)

Yeah, I don't think they'd want to lose the game on it, but first at bat, bang!

He's up and there's nobody on base. I guarantee, yes, Met fans would love to see the homerun. And it would be applauded as if a Met hit the homerun. Yes, yeah.

Craig Carton (2:16)

I mean, he'll get a curtain call. He hits a homerun, he's getting a curtain call.

Chris McMonigle (2:21)

I think they are that displeased with... He is the first base and him not being there and Polanco being signed is the face of the failure of this season. And what drives Met fans absolutely bonkers about the decisions made this year, Pete Alonso is the face of not only the franchise leader in homeruns, he is the face of the debacle that was the 2026 Mets. And they want David Sturridge to be there.

Craig Carton (2:44)

So here's the question. Look, I know you watch everything, you put them all on DVR.

Chris McMonigle (2:48)

I watch them all.

Craig Carton (2:49)

You got Broncos' Chiefs tonight, final game of week one. Chiefs are actually small favorites, I think two and a half is the number tonight. Denver Broncos, of course, coming off the AFC Championship game last year. And Bo Nicks and the injury and all that stuff. Obviously, Mahomes off of his injury, but this might be the last crack at the end the injury Chiefs people have. You've obviously got the New York Mets tonight.

What are you watching?

Chris McMonigle (3:15)

And I got the New York Yankees.

Craig Carton (3:16)

At a quad that goes outside.

Chris McMonigle (3:17)

Right, yeah, which they might be rained out.

Craig Carton (3:20)

Supposedly, they're expecting a rainout tonight.

SPEAKER_3 (3:22)

They're expecting a rainout. Yes. The Yankees have been told they're...

Craig Carton (3:25)

Which means double-headed tomorrow, I assume, right?

Chris McMonigle (3:27)

I would think. They have to get it in. They don't have another mutual off day the rest of the year, I don't believe. So they would have to get it in. And I don't know if they would just put a night game on top of Wednesday, because they're playing a day game Wednesday. But the whole reason they're playing a day game is to get away. I would imagine they're going to probably play a double-headed tomorrow, if the weather allows.

SPEAKER_3 (3:44)

OK.

Chris McMonigle (3:45)

But yeah, tonight's... I'll be honest with you.