Mets’ Pete Alonso Reveals He’s “Lucky to Be Alive” After Devastating Car Crash

PORT ST. LUCIE — Pete Alonso counted his blessings upon arriving to camp on Monday after a “brutal” accident the previous day.

The Mets first baseman said his vehicle flipped over multiple times after a driver ran a red light and “t-boned” him on his way to spring training. Alonso escaped uninjured.

“[Sunday] was a real close experience to death,” Alonso said standing in front of his locker at Clover Park. “My car flipped over probably about three times … and I am really thankful to be alive, thankful that I’m healthy.”

The accident occurred in Tampa, about five minutes from his house, as he was departing for camp. Alonso recounted kicking out the windshield to escape, as his wife Haley, trailing in a car behind him called police.

“I thought I watched my husband die in front of me and I will never forget that feeling,” Haley Alonso posted on Instagram. “This could have easily unfolded much differently and that’s what is so scary. Life can be taken from us in an instant.

She added: “Please do not drive distracted and wear your seatbelt. This happened five minutes from our house, it can happen anytime, anywhere.”

Haley Alonso said her husband emerged with only a scratch on his arm and she considered it a “miracle” that he wasn’t seriously injured.

Pete Alonso was still visibly shaken and appeared to be holding back tears at one point as spoke about the accident.

“One minute I was coming here to spring training, coming here to work and the next thing I know I am kicking my windshield in, trying to get out of a flipped-over car,” Alonso said. “Thankful enough nothing is wrong, and also, thank you Ford for having great engineering.”

Alonso took batting practice and fielding drills Monday and said he felt “normal.” He anticipates he will be ready for full workouts Tuesday with the rest of the team.

“Every day is blessed for me,” Alonso said. “I am just so happy. I am just so happy, every day is a gift and today is real special for me. I just had a blast out there today, doing work, seeing everybody. I don’t think I have ever been happier, showing up for spring training, because it’s truly amazing how I am here.”

Manager Buck Showalter was informed Sunday night about the accident.

“It was an issue, but we are very fortunate,” Showalter said. “We know in some people’s minds, red lights and stop signs are an inconvenience. We’re lucky. He’s lucky. I just thought about a lot of things. His wife being right behind him, can you imagine?

“I asked him today in the meeting how he felt about doing all those leg lifts in the offseason to push that windshield out.”

Showalter said he had Alonso speak about the incident to the team before Monday’s workout.

“It gets your attention,” Showalter said. “Red lights, it seems like nowadays, are a suggestion.”

Alonso, 27, posted a .262/.344/.519 slash line with 37 homers and 94 RBIs last season. He said he is looking forward to playing for Showalter on a revamped roster that includes offseason additions Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, Starling Marte, Eduardo Escobar and Mark Canha.

“We have a great coaching staff and obviously the players we brought in, some fantastic new additions and it’s going to be really awesome to compete with these guys,” Alonso said.