Pete Alonso returns to Citi Field and is greeted with a major homecoming reception by New York Mets fans. After Alonso flies out in his first at-bat back in Queens, the crowd’s response quickly shifts from celebration to protest.
Multiple outlets report that fans chant “Fire Stearns,” directing criticism toward David Stearns, the Mets’ president of baseball operations. The chants reflect anger over Stearns’ personnel decisions and, in particular, the way Alonso’s departure shaped perceptions of his tenure, even as Alonso is welcomed back on the field.
While the outlets agree on the core events—the return, the large crowd reaction, and the chants aimed at Stearns—they frame the significance slightly differently. One outlet emphasizes how Alonso’s reception highlights why the decision to move on from Alonso remains central to how fans view Stearns. Another focuses on the in-stadium moment, describing how Mets fans make their views clear during the game itself.
