Matt Ehalt,Yahoo SportsSep 28, 2019, 7:17 PM

NEW YORK — As he stood there at first base, moments after achieving a feat that no other player in the history of Major League Baseball has accomplished, Pete Alonso started to tear up.

He entered spring training having to fight for a roster spot before mashing his way onto the roster. In July, Alonso again mashed, this time winning the Home Run Derby.

And, here in September, Alonso did what he did best again, mashing another long ball, this one, his 53rd of the year, giving “Polar Bear” more homers than any other rookie in the history of Major League Baseball.

Alonso’s solo smash off Atlanta Braves righty Mike Foltynewicz in the third inning of the New York Mets’ 3-0 win broke a tie with New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge that had been set in 2017.

“To be part of major league history, and be No. 1 among all the guys that have played the game, it’s humbling and it’s a ridiculously awesome feeling,” Alonso said. “That moment was pure magic.”