Alonso Excited For Chili Davis’ Return To Dugout In 2021
Believe it or not, New York Mets power hitting first baseman Pete Alonso is already entering the third year of his MLB career in 2021.
Alonso joined Jake Brown and former Mets pitcher Nelson Figueroa on The New York Post’s Amazin’ But True podcast on Wednesday to chat about a number of topics ahead of next season.
Following a stellar 2019 Rookie of the Year campaign where he led MLB with 53 home runs, New York Mets star first baseman Pete Alonso definitely had his struggles in a pandemic shortened sophomore season.
Alonso had trouble maintaining consistency at the plate, which saw his slash line dip to .231/.326/.490. However, his power numbers were still strong as he slugged 16 home runs and 35 RBIs in 57 games.
One significant difference for Alonso in year-two was the absence of hitting coach Chili Davis, who was forced to work remote due to being classified as high risk for Covid-19.
“Having Chil’ was awesome (in 2019) and granted he was one of those people who were high risk and he had to do what was best for his family” Alonso told Brown and Figueroa.
“But for me, it was a little tough because there are certain things you can kind of see and feel, and vibe with in person.”
“In 2019, there would be times where he would say two-or-three words to me after an at-bat, and then in my next at-bat, boom i’m right back on it.”
“Zoom is great but you don’t get that same hands on approach. So it was definitely different and I’m looking forward to having him back in the dugout in 2021.”
Luckily, with two vaccines currently being distributed for Covid-19, with hopefully several more on the way, Davis could be back in person with the Mets’ this year.
With MLB mulling the possibility of delaying the start of spring training and the season until players and staff members can get the vaccine, Alonso believes they should stick to last year’s script instead by playing with precautions and without fans until they can begin re-introducing normalcy incrementally.
Alonso also went on to discuss his offseason preparation and what he has been doing to make sure he has a huge year on the field.
“I’ve been training my ass off, been working really hard in the gym. Recently been starting to ease myself into getting some work done in the cage and throwing and taking some ground balls.”
“Also I’ve been working pretty thoroughly with our analytical department, it’s been a tremendous help for me, helping me formulate an amazing attack plan for next year.”
Alonso credited Mets research and baseball development analyst Jared Faust for presenting the proper data, analytics and information to help formulate his new attack plan.
To no one’s surprise, the highly enthusiastic Alonso is extremely motivated for the upcoming season and has very high hopes for this Mets team.
“Whenever this next season starts, I’m going to be ready as ever and I’m extremely motivated to kick some ass and win a championship.”
And what about new owner Steve Cohen? Alonso says he has spoken to him on the phone and is already pumped about the start to his tenure.
“I talked with him — I believe I’d have to say — a couple of weeks ago and it was a short eight-minute phone call, but I really enjoyed talking with him,” Alonso said of Cohen. “I mean he seems extremely enthusiastic about the future.
“It’s been a nice offseason so far, it’s been really really really great and I’m excited to see what team we end up with at spring training when we fill some of the gaps.”
“I’m as anxious as anybody else to see who we get because it’s fun, I get to see who my new teammates are.”
