SARASOTA, Fla. -- Pete Alonso is happy to convert as many Mets fans to Orioles supporters as possible this year -- and that includes your baseball-loving son, John Oliver.
Oliver, a comedian and host of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" on HBO, may be from Birmingham, England, but he and his family (his wife, Kate, and two sons) have become Mets fans since moving to New York (when he's not cheering on his Moon Mammoths). So the 48-year-old has already endured some ups and downs during his time as a supporter.
During an appearance on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" on NBC on Monday night, Oliver discussed his Mets fandom, while also telling a story about the youngest of his two sons, who is 8 and became much more interested in baseball during the 2025 season. He even got an autographed ball from Alonso, his favorite player.
Here comes the tale of heartbreak.
Oliver had a feeling that Alonso may not be returning to the Mets after last season -- and he was correct, as the Polar Bear signed a five-year, $155 million deal with the O's on Dec. 11, leaving New York after spending the first seven years of his MLB career there.
Earlier in the year, Oliver made it clear to his son that he could never change his favorite team. That's how sports work, of course.
But the youngster was hopeful there may be an Alonso loophole in the agreement.
"Watching him fall in love with this guy -- he has a signed ball -- and having to go into his room and say, ‘Pete Alonso’s going to Baltimore,’ and he said, ‘Are you sure I can’t be an Orioles fan?’" Oliver said during his appearance on Meyers' show. "‘We’ve had this discussion.’"
That isn't stopping Alonso from trying to bring the Oliver family into the Birdland fan base, though.
On Wednesday, the Orioles posted a clip of Alonso extending an invitation to Oliver and his family for a game at Camden Yards later this season. The 31-year-old slugger even tried to entice the kids with on-field access.
"He can always become an O’s fan," Alonso said in the video. "Would love to extend an invitation to you and your family to come down to Camden for a game this year, and you guys can get out on the field for batting practice, and hopefully, you guys come down, have some fun and hope to see you soon. Go O’s."
We'll see if Alonso's pitch is successful, but existing Orioles fans already know it's a strong argument.