The baseball world’s buzzing right now. Pete Alonso just smashed his 253rd career home run, setting a new record for the New York Mets.
Honestly, in a time when players bounce around and sign short deals, Alonso’s milestone feels extra special. It’s not just a personal victory—it’s rare across all of Major League Baseball.
His achievement makes you think about that exclusive group of franchise home run leaders. Legendary names like Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Willie Mays still sit at the top.
Today’s stars are chasing numbers that stand for more than just raw power. It’s about durability, loyalty, and a little bit of luck too.
Pete Alonso Joins Baseball’s Most Exclusive Company
In just a few seasons, The Polar Bear turned his raw power into steady production. He just passed Darryl Strawberry’s 252-home run mark to grab the Mets’ record.
Alonso’s 253 homers might not look massive next to some of baseball’s franchise leaders. But let’s be real—the game’s changed, and players rarely stick around long enough to chase these records now.
The Rare Air of 600-Homer Franchise Legends
Staying with one team long enough to set huge records? That’s tough. Only three guys have ever hit more than 600 home runs for a single franchise:
These numbers aren’t just stats. They’re milestones built on talent, loyalty, and maybe a little stubbornness—something you don’t see much in today’s free agency era.
Teams Stacked with Multiple Sluggers
Some teams have more than one home run legend. The Yankees are loaded with Ruth, Mickey Mantle (536), and Lou Gehrig (493) all up there.
The Giants have their own heavy hitters—Mays, Barry Bonds (586), and Mel Ott (511) headline their list.
Active Leaders Chasing History
Even now, a few current stars are quietly climbing their team’s home run charts. Here are a few names to keep an eye on:
If these guys stay healthy and keep their roster spots, who knows? They might end up as the next generation of icons.
Records That May Never Be Broken
Some franchise marks honestly seem impossible to catch. Hank Aaron’s 733 for the Braves? Good luck. Mike Schmidt’s 548 for the Phillies feels just as safe.
And then there are surprises. The Dodgers’ record is just 389 (Duke Snider), and the Tigers’ is 399 (Al Kaline). No one’s even cracked 400 for those clubs. Wild, right?
Young Sluggers Eyeing the Future
With teams now locking up young talent to long-term deals, a few players have a real shot at rewriting history. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with the Blue Jays and Ketel Marte with the Diamondbacks are right in that conversation.
If they stay healthy and keep raking, they could shatter their team’s records before long. Manny Machado already owns the Padres’ home run crown at 187, and with his contract, 300 seems doable.
The Significance of Staying Power in Baseball
These days, sticking with one team is rare. Chasing franchise home run records takes more than just skill—it’s about staying put, too.
Players like Alonso, Judge, and Trout stand out in a sport where trades and free agency usually split up great combos before they can make history. And that’s part of what makes these records so fascinating.
Why These Records Matter
Franchise home run records aren’t just numbers in a stat column. They’re a reminder of a player’s connection to a city.
Fans cheer for each milestone, and those records reflect the bond between player and team. They define eras and inspire future generations.
It’s wild how these records keep baseball’s appeal alive. They’re a testament to the sport’s staying power, honestly.
Pete Alonso’s name now sits atop the Mets’ record books. He joins an elite group of sluggers who hit for power and stuck around long enough in one uniform to become the face of the franchise.
In an age when everything changes so fast, that might be the rarest record of all. Not many can say they pulled that off.
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If you want, I can put together a complete table of all 30 MLB franchise home run leaders to go with this blog post. It could help boost SEO and make it a solid reference. Just let me know if you want me to do that.
Here is the source article for this story: The Franchise Home Run Leader For Every MLB Team
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