Forty-one is a significant number in Mets’ history.

Most importantly, it was donned by The Franchise, Tom Seaver. Secondly, it’s the number that signifies the Mets’ single season home run record.

On Saturday night at Citi Field, Mets’ rookie first baseman, Pete Alonso, tied the club record with his 41st home run of the campaign, with just over a month left in the season.

Alonso, 24, joins catcher Todd Hundley and outfielder Carlos Beltran as the only other player to hit as many as 41 long balls in a season.

“As soon as the ball left the bat, I knew it,” Alonso said, according to Deesha Thosar of the Daily News. “The fans went absolutely nuts. It’s something you dream about as a kid. It was surreal. It was a hell of an environment tonight. That moment was incredibly special.”

Unfortunately, the Mets spoiled Alonso’s record-tying night. His blast put them up 5-4 at the time, a lead they’d ultimately relinquish and go on to lose 9-5.

However, for Alonso, his storied rookie season continues. The Florida native already has the National League rookie home run record that he continues to build on, has a Home Run Derby championship and All-Star Game appearance under his belt, and has two Rookie of the Month awards. Next, he will look to attain the Rookie of the Year award for the National League.

New York will look to salvage the final game of the three-game set with Atlanta on Sunday behind Alonso’s bat.

Alonso quick hits…

  • Alonso has reached base safely in 20-straight games.
  • The home run also gave him 100 RBI on the season. The last Met with a 100-RBI season was David Wright (103, 2010). Tonight was the Mets’ 129th game of the season. Only three players in club history have driven in 100 runs in fewer team games: Carlos Beltran (2006), Robin Ventura (1999) and Mike Piazza (2000) all reached 100 RBI in team game No. 122.
  • He is the 20th NL rookie to reach 100 RBI. Since 2000, only two other NL rookies have driven in 100 or more runs: Albert Pujols (NL rookie record 130) and Ryan Zimmerman (110).
  • This was his 19th go-ahead/game-tying homer of the year. Entering Saturday, Christian Yelich and Nolan Arenado led the majors with 19 each.
  • Elias notes he is the first rookie to set or tie his club’s single-season home run record since Ralph Kiner tied the Pirates’ franchise record with 23 homers in 1946.