QUEENS, New York, April 4, 2025 — There was a festive atmosphere all morning at Citi Field on Friday. Crowds and vendors were lurking outside by the 7 train as early as 10 am. Pyrotechnics were being set up for player introductions, and the massive scoreboard was flashing through images with the words "Opening Day" as the Mets prepared to open the gates to their fans for the first time in the 2025 season.
By first pitch, 43,645 fans had piled into the stadium, both a sell-out and the 9th largest regular crowd in Citi Field history. With the Mets coming off a surprise NLCS performance and then an off-season that saw them bring Juan Soto crosstown to Queens and also re-sign fan favorite Pete Alonso, there was plenty to be excited about.
That excitement bled carried out onto the field almost immediately. After starting pitcher Tylor Megill retired the Blue Jays in order in the top of the first inning, Francisco Lindor opened the game for the Mets by lacing a single to left center field. The excitement seemed to get to Lindor too, as he took off for second base, only to be thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. It was the ultimate rollercoaster of emotions that seemed to epitomize the Mets' 2024 season.
Only, this is a new year and a new team with boundless optimism in the early stages of 2025. After review, it turned out that Bo Bichette missed the tag, and Lindor was able to get his hand in safely.
"He likes to set the tone," said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza of Lindor. "Today, first pitch of the game right away. Here we are, attacking. It's good to see. He brings the energy, and, again, that's what you want to see out of your offense: you have to attack. We did that from pitch one today."
The Mets' attack continued with their $765 million man coming up to bat. The whole stadium rose to its feet and stayed standing. In fact, the stadium rose to stand for all of Juan Soto's at-bats in his first game at Citi Field as a member of the Mets, not wanting to miss a single pitch.
However, in this moment, Soto wasn't the hero. He popped out to second base and jogged off the field, but the disappointment for Mets fans was only momentary. Before Soto could even leave the field, the PA announcer was calling out the name of a player who currently ranks third on the Mets’ all-time home leaders, trailing only Darryl Strawberry and David Wright.
For much of the off-season, it seemed like Pete Alonso was destined to be wearing another uniform in 2025. In his six seasons with the Mets, Alonso slashed .249/.339/.514/.854 with 226 home runs and 586 RBIs, but he was entering his age-30 season and seemingly wanted a longer deal than the Mets were willing to give a player they worried would be a soon-to-be-DH. In fact, there were a few days where it seemed realistic that today would be Alonso's return to Citi Field, only as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Yet, Alonso and the Mets wound up agreeing to a two-year, $54 million contract, and he strode into the batter's box wearing his Mets' whites as the stadium chanted his name. Four pitches later, Alonso drove a 1-2 fastball from Kevin Gausman 377 feet over the fence in right field to put the Mets on the board.
"It was sick," said Alonso after the game. "That type of stuff is what you dream about as a kid, and to have that type of support is really special for sure. I enjoyed every second of it."
"It's pretty cool. Not gonna lie," added Mendoza. "You were ...
