Mets’ Pete Alonso Narrowly Escapes Death On Way To Spring Training, Promptly Reports To Camp Anyway

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• The New York Mets have begun Spring Training.
• On his way to camp, All-Star Pete Alonso got in a “brutal” car accident.
• The 27-year-old slugger says he feels blessed to be alive.

My Pops was born and raised in Queens. As such, I’ve spent my life riddled with a curse known as New York Jets/New York Mets fandom. Like Ben Affleck’s father says to him in The Town, “I didn’t think you’d carry it like a disease”, and that quote, perhaps better than any other, epitomizes what it’s like having to root for the Jets and Mets passed through generations.

And as a Jets and Mets fan, trust me when I say that we rarely have something to root for. The Jets haven’t made the playoffs in a decade and the Mets are — similar to Stephen A. Smith’s favored description of the Dallas Cowboys — an accident waiting to happen.

Every so often, though, something — whether it be a player or a coach or a mere game — comes along that reignites our hope, that gives us something to cheer for. And Mets’ first baseman Pete Alonso, one of the league’s best offensive weapons at the age of just 27-years-old, is certainly one of those few-and-far-between glimmering rays of light.

You see, not only does Alonso consistently rack up numbers, but he’s the consummate professional who understands what it means to play in New York City, as evidenced by, among other things, his refusal to let Major League Baseball stop him from paying tribute to 9/11 first responders. Simply put: the dude just gets it. He’s a gamer.

To make Alonso even more remarkable, that commitment to his craft is apparently unwavering even in the face of near-death, as the Polar Bear recently revealed that he was involved in a “brutal” car accident on Sunday that saw his vehicle flip over “three times.” Despite this — Alonso even said he feels “blessed” to still be alive — he was not only answering questions for reporters on Monday morning but he plans to be on the field by Tuesday.

“I’m just so happy, every day’s a gift, and today is really special for me. I just had a blast out there today doing work, seeing everybody — I don’t think I’ve ever been happier showing up to spring training. Again, it’s truly amazing how I’m here. I’m so fortunate that everyone’s okay.”

The casualness with which Alonso details the harrowing experience is frankly remarkable. That sort of cool-headed thinking perhaps explains why he’s one of the rare athletes that’s able to thrive under the pressure of New York City.

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