New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso has publicly apologized for unintentionally stealing a special moment from St. Louis Cardinals rookie, Masyn Winn. During Friday’s game, Alonso threw the ball into the stands after Winn achieved his first-ever hit in Major League Baseball (MLB). Although it was a routine play, the fact that it marked Winn’s milestone made it a memorable occasion, and Alonso’s spontaneous action seemed to overshadow it.
Expressing remorse, Alonso acknowledged his poor judgment and described it as a bad brain fart while speaking to reporters after the game. Reflecting on his own first hit and the significance of receiving the ball, he expressed disappointment in depriving Winn of that experience, saying, I feel really bad thinking back on my first hit and just getting the ball thrown back to the dugout… I feel awful. I feel like a piece of crap.
Alonso explained that he threw the ball into the stands instinctively without thinking, following a signal from the umpires to switch the baseball. However, he admitted that he would never repeat the action, vowing to roll every ball to the dugout in similar situations.
Winn confirmed that Alonso had apologized to him twice during the game and emphasized that it was an accidental occurrence. Finding humor in the situation, especially after the Cardinals successfully retrieved the ball for Winn, he remarked, A complete accident… I thought it was quite funny, especially after we got the ball back, I thought it was a little bit more funny.
Overall, while Alonso’s action unintentionally took away from Winn’s first hit milestone, it seems that both players have moved past the incident with Winn finding amusement in the outcome. Alonso’s public apology and commitment to not repeat the mistake demonstrate his genuine regret and desire to acknowledge the significance of such moments for fellow players.
