Back in 2017, New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge set a new single-season rookie home run record. Judge hit 52 that year, in what was a remarkable season for anyone in general, not just a rookie.
Two years later, New York Mets rookie first baseman Pete Alonso has tied that mark. On Friday night in the bottom of the first inning against the Atlanta Braves, Alonso smacked a one-out, 0-1 pitch to left field for a solo home run off of Dallas Keuchel. It’s his 52nd of his sensational inaugural season in the major leagues.