Pete Alonso hasn’t just joined the Orioles - he’s embraced them. A month after signing his five-year, $155 million deal, the former Mets slugger is still beaming with excitement about his new home in Baltimore. And if anything, the buzz in his voice has only grown louder.
Alonso joined the “Orioles Hot Stove Show” on WBAL Radio this week and once again made it clear: he’s all in. From the roster to the coaching staff to the city itself, Alonso is energized - and he’s not hiding it.
“It’s looking really complete,” Alonso said, referring to the Orioles’ roster. “Whether that be the position player group, starting pitchers, or the bullpen, there’s a lot of phenomenal pieces.
And Mike’s not done. It’s going to be really exciting to see who else we add.”
He’s not wrong. President of baseball operations Mike Elias has been busy shaping a roster that was already loaded with young talent.
And with spring training in Sarasota just around the corner, there’s still room for a few more moves. Alonso knows he’s stepping into something special - and he’s eager to be part of it.
“This team, this city, I’m just beyond excited for it,” Alonso said. “Working with Craig (Albernaz) and the rest of the coaching staff, for me, this just feels so right on so many levels. And I’m just beyond excited for this year.”
That kind of enthusiasm isn’t just offseason lip service. Alonso sounds like a player ready to lead - not just by swinging for the fences, but by fully immersing himself in the culture of the team. He sees the Orioles as a contender, and he’s itching to see how far this group can go.
“For me, the exciting thing is, because we have such a talented group, it’s like, ‘OK, let’s see what we’re made of.’ To go for the division and playoff spot and then hunt down a championship in October.”
That’s the kind of mindset Baltimore fans want to hear. And it’s clear Alonso’s offseason has been anything but routine. Leaving New York and entering free agency for the first time brought change - but it also brought clarity.
“If not, I’m doubling down on the work,” Alonso said of his offseason routine. “Whether it be the lifts, the cage work, glove work, conditioning aspect.”
He’s always taken pride in his preparation, but this offseason has lit a new fire.
“Signing here with the O’s and being with this organization… this offseason has just been so invigorating,” he said. “It just brings so much motivation every single day because I’m so excited, I’m so juiced for 2026 and beyond. Not just for myself but for the city, for the team.”
Alonso’s not just here to put up numbers - he’s here to win. And he’s not shy about what matters most to him.
“To be honest, my goal is to win a championship, and that’s really it,” he said. “Baseball is such a weird game where you have to let the game present you with opportunities. You can’t necessarily force something.”
He’s not chasing personal milestones. He’s chasing October.
“Whatever I can do to help win a baseball game that day, I want to do,” Alonso said. “And I want to stay on the field. I want to play every single day, fight the fight with the fellas, and do whatever I can in my role to help win every single day.”
That’s the kind of presence Baltimore was hoping for when it brought in the five-time All-Star and 264-home-run hitter. A guy who can anchor the lineup and the clubhouse.
And yes, he’ll be getting the full Baltimore experience - bobblehead night included. The Orioles will give away Alonso bobbleheads to the first 15,000 fans at Camden Yards on August 22 when the Rays come to town.
When asked how many bobblehead nights he’s had, Alonso laughed.
“To be honest, it’s probably maybe two,” he said. “I don’t know.
It could be like maybe three. Two or three.”
And the likeness?
“They’re all perfect,” he joked. “No blemishes, no nothing.
They get everything right down to every single detail. Yeah, every single one is perfect.”
Off the field, there’s still a little learning curve for Alonso - especially when it comes to Maryland’s signature seafood. A Tampa native, he’s more familiar with stone crabs than blue crabs, but he’s eager to learn.
“I love seafood,” Alonso said. “Being from Florida, I’m used to having fresh fish and shellfish.
I’m all for it. I love crab cakes.
I know that’s the easy way. But for me, I want to learn how to pick a crab.
I don’t know how, but I want to be taught properly.”
Sounds like a job for Cal Ripken Jr., who famously used to teach teammates how to crack crabs - and now, as part of the Orioles’ ownership group, might just have a new student in the Polar Bear.
For Alonso, this isn’t just a fresh start - it’s a full embrace. Of the team.
Of the city. Of everything that comes with wearing the orange and black.
And with his energy, leadership, and big bat in the middle of the order, the Orioles just got a whole lot more dangerous.