Power hitting first baseman Pete Alonso enjoyed his time at the Birdland Caravan, appearing with manager Craig Albernaz at the Senator Theatre on Thursday night to answer questions from fans. On Friday, Alonso participated in the Blessings in a Backpack event at the Warehouse and mingled with more fans.
With the awful weather in Baltimore, what better time to hear from the Polar Bear? Here are excerpts from his availability with the local media:
What’s been your interaction with people?
“It’s been great so far. Just seeing the amount of excitement and passion that people have this early just before spring training. It’s really exciting. I’m more excited than they are for camp to start. It’s an exciting time in Birdland. I’m honored to be a part of it.”
What’s it been like getting to know some of your teammates?
“It’s one thing to text or have a phone call and message back and forth but having that face-to-face interaction — you really can’t beat that. I know I’m going to be spending a ton of time with everybody. You spend more time together than you spend with your own family.
“There’s a lot of excellent vibes. I feel like the excitement needs to be carried into the spring. It’s a great group, and everyone’s excited. Having that excitement makes you want to work extra and come together and really gear up the best possible way for the season.”
How do you feel about the offseason the club has had?
“I think it’s been a great offseason, but the whole point is to win during the 162 and in the postseason. We’re going out there and getting talent. You need talent to win games. This front office and ownership group has shown a great amount of belief, and we’ve got to prove it. We’ve got to prove it every day.”
Have the guys been picking your brain?
“It’s been good, not just like personal talk, but it’s been some pretty good ball talk as well. It’s always fun getting to meet everybody. It’s been a good combo of ball talk and getting to know people on a personal level.”
This is your first time with a new club. Is there any nervousness?
“It’s just exciting. This is a new chapter. This is something I welcome and embrace. New city, new team, new everything. When [president of baseball operations Mike Elias] and [manager Craig Albernaz] Alby had our meeting, as they laid everything out, this is just an unbelievable opportunity. I’m honored to be a part of it.
“The shift that the ownership has made in committing, and that goes down through the front office, and that goes down from the coaches, the players and even down to the minor leagues, you see a huge effort. Not just time and intensity and working towards a goal.
“It’s been awesome to be a part of and feel the momentum, It’s our job on the field to go do it and make the most of every day and come out with a win.” ‘
What about your connection with Gunnar Henderson? What advice do you have for him about playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic?
“The WBC, you’re getting thrusted into, not just a playoff environment, but you’re getting thrusted into a type of World Series environment. I know I’ve never played in a World Series, but thankfully on that team, there’s a ton of guys who did and have won.
“It doesn’t matter what team or what country you’re playing, it’s the same type of level of [being] locked in you have to be. It’s intense. Every out matters and every pitch matters. For him to have that experience and bring that, not just the regular season, but be able to hold on and bottle that experience up.
“I said, ‘This is going to be an amazing tool for you developmentally to be ready when we’re deep in the playoffs.’”
Does having a long-term contract (5 years, $155 million) enable you to perform better?
“I want to be the best version of myself and help win a championship. I hope that this unlocks a different level. I’m hopeful and I’ve been working towards that.
“This is a perfect environment. It’s a great place to hit. AL East, I know it’s a really tough division, but there’s some parks to hit in as well.
“For me to provide some experience to this really talented young core, I’m happy to contribute in that way as well. I believe the sky’s the limit for this team.”
What does the shift in the club that you’ve been referencing feel like?
“It’s just full commitment from the top. Everyone’s on the same page. There’s a certain type of baseball, that type of game that we want to play.
“I guess you can call it the new Oriole Way, and I think that’s going to be a huge part of why we win games.”
What’s the new Oriole Way?
“You’ll find out. You guys will find out when you start watching us play. You can deep dive all you want. You can go into the reasons why. When you see the product on the field and when you watch it over the course of time over the season, you’ll be able to put your finger on it and explain it pretty well.
“I’ve had so many ball talks with Craig and the guys. I really love their vision. I love the process behind things. It’s just like an all-encompassing plan of how we’re going to attack the opponent. It’s going to be exciting to be a part of.”
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.