Back to the Tampa Bay Rays Newsfeed

Mets’ Pete Alonso could always hit, even as a South Tampa kid

The success of the Plant High alumnus doesn’t surprise his youth baseball teammates.

Pete Alonso, holding plaque, is pictured in his early years with members of the Tampa Heat travel-ball team. From left, Matt Lipinczyk, Drew Sassone, Will Jennings, Alonso, Spencer Trayner and coach Mike Friedlein. [Courtesy of Will Jennings]

Pete Alonso, holding plaque, is pictured in his early years with members of the Tampa Heat travel-ball team. From left, Matt Lipinczyk, Drew Sassone, Will Jennings, Alonso, Spencer Trayner and coach Mike Friedlein. [Courtesy of Will Jennings]

Spencer Trayner looked on from the parking lot as a young Pete Alonso, a teammate on the Salty Dogs, climbed out of his car and tumbled face-first to the asphalt at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota.