Pete Alonso began the 2019 season fighting just to make the New York Mets' Opening Day roster. He ends it as the National League Rookie of the Year after slugging a rookie record 53 home runs, driving in 120 runs and becoming a cult hero for Mets fans for his energy and enthusiasm and one memorable bare-chested postgame interview.
Alonso was a near unanimous selection of the award's 30 voters, getting 29 first place votes. Braves starter Mike Soroka received the other first place vote and finished second, with Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr finishing third.