Pete Alonso became just the second rookie in baseball history to hit 50 home runs, slamming a 437-foot two-run home run deep into the Ohio night in Friday's 8-1 win over the Reds, his 50th of his stellar rookie campaign.
"I touched that one up pretty good," Alonso said after the game.
Alonso passed Mark McGwire to move into sole possession of second place on the all-time rookie home run list. He now trails Aaron Judge's all-time record by just two home runs with nine regular season games remaining.
"It was always in the realm of possibility, but I wasn't really shooting for it," Alonso said of the 50-home run marker. "It's just kind of hard to really wrap my mind around, because for me, I'm just trying to be the best I can every single day and not trying to think too far ahead or not dwelling on anything. I'm just focusing between the liens every single day and preparing and putting all of my efforts to the now.
"It means the world to me, but I don't think I'm going to have the ultimate appreciation for it until I can kind of sit back after the season, whenever that is."
Video: Pete Alonso's deep home run for 50th this season
Mickey Callaway has had an up-close view of Alonso's brilliance all season long, and even he was left in awe after the slugger's 50th blast.
"He's a wonderful player. He's a leader in every sense of the word, and he leads on the field as well with the 50 homers," Callaway said. "I'm glad he got to that mark. He's got some time left to do some more damage.
"I've never even seen a lefty hit it up that far. It's incredible power, and I don't know what you would do if you were a pitcher. That was a pretty good executed pitch and he hits it further than most balls you've ever seen."
Alonso has been on a record-setting home run pace all season long, and he's re-written the history books multiple times this year.
In late June, Alonso lifted his 27th home run of the season, passing Darryl Strawberry's Mets' rookie record in just 77 games, and he was just heating up.
On August 27, Alonso ripped his 42nd homer, surpassing the Mets' all-time single-season record, which had been held by both Todd Hundley (1996) and Carlos Beltran (2006).
Earlier this week, Alonso blasted his 49th home run, tying McGwire for the second most home runs ever by a rookie.
"I don't think this is truly going to settle in until I take some time to reflect in the offseason, because right now we're trying to win games and sneak into the playoffs here," Alonso said, "We still have an opportunity to make something great happen. I'm just focused on these nine left, focused on tomorrow and focused on the Cincinnati Reds."