NEW YORK — After finally hitting home run No. 253, a new Mets record, first baseman Pete Alonso stood on a bench on the top step of the dugout and waved his helmet. Standing beside him, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza looked up at his slugger, soaking in all the love from the fans. Mendoza captured a snapshot of Alonso’s wide, boyish smile in his mind.

Pete Alonso stood in the Mets dugout and tipped his helmet, absorbing the standing ovation he was receiving. It was the third inning Tuesday night, and Alonso had just cleared the fence in right-center against Atlanta’s Spencer Strider to become the franchise’s all-time home run leader.

New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso has connected for his 253rd career homer, breaking the franchise record held by Darryl Strawberry for 37 years.