Pete's Polar Bears!
Pledging Dollars for Dingers
Yesterday, on my way home from work, I was listening to the newest episode of Staffcast, hosted by Richard Staff. Ellen Cushing and Kaitlyn Tiffany (of The Atlantic and Hits Different) were guests on this episode, and the trio discussed all things Mets. After Richard mentioned the good work that the Pete Alonso Foundation does to contribute to causes that support “dogs…and also children”, the podcasters considered Alonso’s commitment to supporting the animal that is his nickname-sake, the polar bear.
Although I suggest you give the podcast a listen, I’ve transcribed a bit of the conversation below:
”Don’t you think it’s kind of f***ed that Pete Alonso doesn’t do anything for polar bears?”
”Well, you think he should be doing, like, more conservation for them?”“He’s sort of coasting on their name and not really reciprocating.”
“Is there something to be done for the polar bears? I feel like they’re not in a good place.”
”Yeah, but like, is it something Polar Bear Pete could do something about?”
”He could probably carry them ice floe to ice floe, if he really cared.”
Obviously, this was all said in jest, especially when later in the exchange it was suggested that Pete meet with BP or ExxonMobil executives and get them to stop destroying the environment by telling them the negative effects of their companies were “not a very awesome sauce of [them]”.
In all seriousness, The Alonso Foundation goes way beyond just helping dogs and kids; take a look at their 2024 Impact Report and see for yourself. While Pete isn’t necessarily saving the polar bears or their environment, his foundation’s work certainly reflects the kind of thoughtful and caring person that Mets fans have watched him become.
We all know Pete is a big, strong guy, but even big, strong guys can’t save the world by themselves! Consider this an invitation to join The Rally Towel’s first fundraising event: Pete’s Polar Bears.
The Polar Bear is off to a great start to the season and hunting down Daryl Strawberry’s all-time New York Mets home run record. In celebration of polar bears (the baseball-playing and non-baseball-playing variety), I am organizing a campaign to raise funds to support the latter.
During the 2025 regular season, I will donate $1 to the conservation group Polar Bears International each time Pete Alonso hits a home run. To kick off this campaign, I am also donating 10¢ for each home run hit by Pete during his Mets career prior to the 2025 season (226).
It’s time to pledge our dollars for his dingers…I mean…put our mouths where Pete’s big meat is…nope, that’s definitely not it…guys, join me as The Rally Towel raises money FOR polar bears on behalf of THE Polar Bear.
