Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Pete Alonso stated that he harbors no ill will toward his former team, the New York Mets, as a return to Citi Field approaches. Alonso, currently in the midst of another strong hitting season with the Orioles, is focused on his new team's playoff contention.

"Honestly, for me, nothing is spiteful," Alonso said. He noted that the Orioles were his primary choice during free agency and that he aims to fulfill their long-term vision for him. "For me to be in a place where they see me here not for the short term but a long-term period of time, [and] not just a valuable piece from a production standpoint but a cornerstone of the franchise, I want to make good on their belief in me. I do that by playing well and helping win ballgames. It’s as simple as that."

Alonso has been a key offensive contributor for the Orioles, who were one game out of the final American League wild-card spot as of Wednesday. He has maintained an OPS of .915 over his last 96 games, ranking among the league's best hitters in that span. Alonso attributes his success to settling into his new environment and adjusting to fatherhood.

"It’s a big change," Alonso said. "Now, things are firing on all cylinders."

Despite his past success with the Mets, Alonso indicated that his upcoming series against his former team is not a current priority. His focus remains on the Orioles' immediate divisional battles, including a game against the New York Yankees. "We play the New York Yankees today in a huge divisional battle," Alonso said. "Obviously, [the series versus the Mets] is not at the top of my priority list right now. I want to focus on today and every team we’re playing. I know it’s coming down the road pretty soon, but we have business to take care of every single day."

Alonso also commented on the Orioles' resilience throughout the season. "It’s a really exciting time," he said. "Any team where you’re only a game out of a playoff spot deep into August, a lot of people will take it. We haven’t played our best baseball collectively, but I feel as we’ve gained some momentum moving along in the second half, our best baseball is ahead of us. … We’ve done a really good job being resilient, not just individually, but as a group. I’m really proud of how the team has fought and faced adversity. It’s been really fun to be a part of."

The Orioles acquired Alonso in the offseason, and his performance has been pivotal in their playoff push. The Mets, meanwhile, have experienced a mixed season following their decision not to re-sign Alonso to a multiyear deal. The team has seen some success after trading players like Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver.