Pete Alonso, currently playing for the Baltimore Orioles, was observed smoking a celebratory cigar in the dugout following the team's walk-off victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday, August 22, 2026. The win came in a crucial AL East matchup.
Alonso, who is on loan from the New York Mets, has been having a productive season with Baltimore. Entering Sunday, he was hitting .263 with a .866 OPS, 30 home runs, and 85 RBIs. He has been particularly strong in August, with seven home runs and a 1.139 OPS through Saturday's game. He hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in Friday's win against the Rays.
"Things are firing on all cylinders which is nice," Alonso recently told reporters. "I knew it was coming, but also like there’s a lot of change. Like personally I had to be a ballplayer and a (new) father at the same time."
The Orioles are currently in contention for a postseason spot, entering Sunday just a game out of the final AL wild-card position. The team's performance this season highlights the competitive nature of the American League, as they were still below .500 despite their position in the standings.
Meanwhile, Jorge Polanco, who was expected to fill Alonso's role with the Mets, has been largely sidelined due to injuries, playing in only 37 games this season and is now out for the remainder of the year.
