Indeed, the 2019 season was a season of records for Pete Alonso of the New York Mets. Furthermore, his rookie record-tying 52nd home run ball went for a hefty price via MLB Auctions on Sunday.
That price you ask? The final bid checked in at $27,690 after 86 bids in the auction that began on Oct. 2. This news comes from BlowoutBuzz on twitter.
Pete Alonso's record-tying home run ball sells for five-figures >> https://t.co/bTWAWaB5v8 #collect @MetsMemorabilia @Pete_Alonso20 #Mets #MLB #auctions #GameUsed pic.twitter.com/KNo1x7BDsb
— BlowoutBuzz (@BlowoutBuzz) October 21, 2019
Alonso took the league by storm with an MLB record 53 home runs, topping Aaron Judge’s single-season mark set in 2017. Only three rookies have hit 50 home runs in a season, with Mark McGwire holding the previous record with 49 back in 1987.
In addition, the Mets lucked out with this ball to be able to put it up for auction at all. Remember home run 52 for Alonso. Take a look at the record-tying home run again here:
Pete Alonso ties Aaron Judge for the MLB rookie home run record with No. 52!
(via @SNYtv) pic.twitter.com/y9oreKjQzR
— SI MLB (@si_mlb) September 27, 2019
The ball bounced off the left field wall and back onto the turf of Citi Field after Alonso hit it off of Dallas Keuchel in the first inning of their September 27th game. This allowed someone from the organization to retrieve it. Moreover, Alonso even signed and custom inscribed the ball in two different ways to commemorate it.
Therefore in a generous gesture, the Mets donated the net proceeds of the auction to their charitable foundation.
Finally, home run balls in the past have fetched some hefty prices. Todd Mcfarlane paid prices of $3 million and $500,000 for former McGwire and Barry Bonds record home run balls in the past. Obviously, those balls have historical value; but it’s unlikely they will ever get that price again in a sale due to the news that came out after both players.
How much is too much for an Alonso rookie record home run ball?
