Sean Manaea; Right or wrong?

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The Orioles and specifically, Pete Alonso came back to play the Mets. First game, Alonso got a standing ovation. Second game, he hit his 300th career home run and took a curtain call. Sean Manaea had this reaction.....

"As the 2026 Mets, I know we have definitely underperformed. But we are -- the guys in here work their ass off every single day, and to have that kind of reaction to an opposing player, could be anybody, is crazy to me," said New York pitcher Sean Manaea, who started Tuesday night. "Again, I've got nothing but respect for Pete. But yeah, just never seen anything like that before.

"Pete's not here," the veteran left-hander added. "He's just not here. So I know everybody loves him. He's the man. But yeah, he's not here. So to see the reaction from the fans like that, I don't know, it's just different."

He knows "everybody loves Pete" but doesn't understand? Alonso played the first 7 years of his career with the Mets. Hit .253. Averaged 37 homers and 101 rbi a season (and that's because he played just 57 games in his second season; the other 6 years he averaged 41 homers and 113 rbi). The Mets chose not to resign him. Fans let it be known, they didn't like that. The reason fans gave him a standing O is similar to the reason Yankee fans boo Juan Soto to no end. On one hand, fans disagree with ownership's position. On the other they disagree with Soto's greed. And this All Star team in Flushing has definitely underperformed. As a Yankee fan I enjoy it thoroughly. Soto got his money and hasn't sniffed the postseason. The Mets are 152-161 with Soto. When you look at the roster, underperformed is generous. They've sucked.

Alonso received a two-minute tribute video before the Orioles' 2-1 win Monday night at Citi Field. He was showered with a thunderous ovation before his first at-bat minutes later, when he was accompanied to the plate by "Layla," one of his walk-up songs, as "Welcome Back, Pete!" flashed next to his picture on the scoreboard.

He got standing ovations before each of his final three plate appearances as well on Monday -- rookie pitcher Jonah Tong was booed after walking Alonso in the third -- and warm receptions prior to his first three at-bats Tuesday.

"I appreciate all the support for all the years I've been here, all the life I've lived here," Alonso said Tuesday night. "Obviously, they're recognizing that and they appreciate that. It's a two-way street. Really appreciate it."

Alonso was given his home run ball from the trio of Long Islanders -- Michael Shaw, Nick Maldarella and Chris Makarius -- who teamed up to catch the milestone drive, which caromed off the second deck of stands in left field and fell into the first deck.

"On the way here, we were saying we're going to catch his 300th home run," Maldarella said. "And sure enough, man. It's crazy."

Maldarella and Makarius said they each got a hand on it before sharing it with Shaw.

"Never leave a man behind," Shaw said.

Alonso signed a bat and a ball for each man in return. He also signed the shirts they were wearing -- an Alonso Mets jersey for Shaw and Makarius and a Carlos Delgado shirt for Maldarella -- and offered them tickets and batting practice access at Camden Yards in Baltimore next season. "Thank you, guys," Alonso said to the trio outside the visitors' clubhouse. "You guys are so kind. Thank you so much."

Alonso also posed for a group picture and for photos with each person individually.

"I mean, who doesn't love Pete?" Shaw said.

 

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He was showered with a thunderous ovation before his first at-bat minutes later, when he was accompanied to the plate by "Layla," one of his walk-up songs, as "Welcome Back, Pete!" flashed next to his picture on the scoreboard.

I wonder if Steve Cohen had the scoreboard operator, his supervisor and co-workers fired after that!!!!

The fact all that (Welcome Back Pete; Layla) was going on during the game, makes Manaea's reaction all that more puzzling.

 

[Memento]

As a Cardinals fan, I have issues with what Manaea is saying. If the player has given his all for the team and he leaves (mainly because of ownership, let's be honest) and comes back, of course you give him a standing ovation. If they have a problem with it and say, "he's not here, so fans must boo him", they're missing the point of the entire sport, and sports as a whole.

Cardinals fans gave Albert an ovation for hitting a homerun as an Angel that wasn't even a milestone. We gave Ken Griffey Jr. a standing ovation for hitting his 500th homer. We've cheered on opposing players who made great plays defensively or if they've gotten milestones in hits or whatever.

The players all understand the magnitude of what is going on with even opposing players...except for Sean Manaea, of course. And maybe that's why the Mets are struggling so badly: their players don't give a shit about anyone but themselves and their money, and the owner is the worst one of all.

 

[snackdaddy]

If Rams fans gave Cooper Kupp a standing ovation before the game I think that's great. But if he scores a touchdown I'd have a problem cheering that. Even if we're pissed at management for letting him go.

 

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If Rams fans gave Cooper Kupp a standing ovation before the game I think that's great. But if he scores a touchdown I'd have a problem cheering that. Even if we're pissed at management for letting him go.

I probably would have cheered Ike in 2008 when Ike scored in St. Louis for San Fran!!! The Rams sucked.....were 2-12 at the time, and had treated Ike worse than the Mets treated Alonso. You cheer for the name on the front but in circumstances like that, a team with lousy ownership, sucking terribly, you show your appreciation for a guy who gave you everything for years. JMHO

 

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- Pete Alonso's storybook return to Citi Field was no surprise to Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz.

Alonso hit another home run against his former team Wednesday night, sparking another important win for the late-charging Orioles and earning himself another ovation from New York Mets fans still smarting over his departure last December.

The slugger's first-inning drive was the first of four home runs Wednesday for the Orioles, who beat the Mets 7-1 to finish a three-game sweep and move within 2½ games of the Chicago White Sox for the last American League playoff berth.

It was the second long ball in two games for Alonso, who launched his 300th career homer Tuesday night to tie that game in the ninth inning. The Orioles went on to win 7-5 in 11 innings.

"Not surprised at all, just knowing Pete," Albernaz said with a grin Wednesday night. "Pete was [glad] to be back? Yeah, no doubt. But also, Pete definitely knows what's at stake and he wants to win more than anyone in that clubhouse. He wants to go out there and compete and pull through for the team.

I gotta give Mets fans credit. They showed their appreciation for a guy who bled Orange and Blue, while simultaneously voicing their disapproval of an All Star team that sucked. They have an owner who doesn't mind spending money. The 2026 Mets have shown, it's not how much you spend, but how you spend it.

 

[Tano]

I probably would have cheered Ike in 2008 when Ike scored in St. Louis for San Fran!!! The Rams sucked.....were 2-12 at the time, and had treated Ike worse than the Mets treated Alonso. You cheer for the name on the front but in circumstances like that, a team with lousy ownership, sucking terribly, you show your appreciation for a guy who gave you everything for years. JMHO

Well the team was owned by GF. It was really hard to cheer for the Rams during those losing years with her as owner.

I did but man it was tough.