I grew up in New York and played with Pete Alonso in college – to be on Mets with him is a dream come true
HARRISON Bader is living his dream this season playing in his hometown alongside his ‘Diesel Brother.’
Bader’s life and career have both come full circle to land him on the New York Mets with a former college teammate.
The 29-year-old was born in Bronxville, New York, and went on to play college baseball with Pete Alonso at Florida.
The duo were known as the “Diesel Brothers” during their time playing for the Florida Gators.
“To play with somebody I was really close with for multiple years at university was awesome,” Bader told The Sun.
“To have it come full circle in the major leagues is honestly a dream come true.
“There’s really nothing like it for the both of us and we both love playing this game.
“I’m just happy we get a chance to do it together for as long as we can.”
Alonso, also 29, has become a massive star since his debut in 2019.
He has become known for his home run long-hitting power and earned the nickname the “Polar Bear.”
Bader, meanwhile, was handed his MLB debut by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2017.
He spent five seasons there as well as two with the New York Yankees in 2022 and 2023.
After a short spell with the Cincinnati Reds last year, Bader became part of the New York Mets’ overhaul.
He signed a one-year contract worth $10.5 million at the start of this year to link back up with Alonso.
“I always knew he was going to be a star,” Bader said about Alonso.
“The very first time, I remember being told this big donkey first baseman out of Tampa, Florida, was coming in and he’s going to play first base for us.
“I thought ‘everybody had got to prove themselves and I wish him the best and see what he’s got.’
Home runs and boomsticks
MLB is back in London for a third time this summer when the Philadelphia Phillies take on the New York Mets.
The London Stadium will transform from a football pitch to a baseball field for the June 8 and 9 spectacle.
Fans attending the games can feast on some extravagant ballpark menu items such as boomstick nachos (pictured) and a two-foot boomstick hotdog.
The New York Yankees won both games in 2019 against their rivals the Boston Red Sox.
And the Chicago Cubs split their series with the St Louis Cardinals when the teams faced off in 2023.
“But that first batting practice I knew immediately how good he was.
“To be able to answer that call every single day the way he’s done, he’s a stud and that’s why he’s so successful and I have tremendous respect for him.”
The big-hitting duo will also board the same flight to London in a couple weeks for an international showdown.
The New York Mets take on the Philadelphia Phillies in a two-game series in the UK on June 8 and 9.
There’s really nothing like it for the both of us and we both love playing this game.
Harrison Bader
Bader said, “I’ve never played the game I love overseas – I think it’s an incredible experience.
“To get the opportunity to travel the world is special but to be able to do it playing the game, the MLB has done a great job expanding the game beyond America.
“I’m looking forward to putting on a good show for the fans out there.”
New York Mets will play Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB World Tour: London Series 2024, June 8-9 at London Stadium. Tickets are available now at https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/MLB