Baltimore Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso opened up about the advice he gave to shortstop Gunnar Henderson as the 25-year-old is going through a challenging stretch. Alonso said that he can relate to what the $8.5M Orioles star, who signed a one-year contract to avoid arbitration in January this year, is currently going through.

Gunnar Henderson has already established himself as one of MLB’s top players. However, as he’s dealing with a slump, Alonso, during an interview with ex-MLB’er Ryan Ripken, advised him to focus on the task at hand and not on arbitration, trade-deadline questions, or his long-term contract.

He stressed remaining calm and not getting consumed by the outside noise. Alonso expressed that he knows what it’s like because he’s “been in his (Gunnar Henderson’s) shoes.” However, he warned the rest of the league to “watch out” because even if the situation “s*cks” now, it’ll be a total turnaround when it “clicks.”

“The rest of the league has gotten lucky that you have played this way for this extended period of time… People are still giving you the same amount of attention because they know what you’re capable of. They know what you can do,” Pete Alonso said.

“They know you can totally take over and be a one-man wrecking crew. So they’re doing whatever they can to keep their thumb down on you and keep suppressing you. But I was like, dude, keep working through it.”

Pete Alonso also believes Gunnar Henderson can make a major impact for the Orioles if they reach the postseason. He said that once they get in, Henderson is “going to lead us to the World Series.” Alonso admitted that the current situation “stinks,” but if the young star keeps grinding, things will start to click. “It’s going to be like a beast, like being unleashed from a cage that’s been starved,” he said.

Pete Alonso sends heartfelt message to Orioles fans

Apart from sharing the advice he has given to Gunnar Henderson, Pete Alonso also took a moment to thank the Baltimore Orioles fans for their support. He thanked them for backing him and his wife, Haley, throughout the season. He added that although the season has not gone perfectly, he’s still grateful to the fans for showing up and supporting the team.

Alonso still believes the Orioles can be in the playoff race and vowed to do everything he can to make it happen. He said,

“We have a great opportunity, and we’re playing the right teams that we need to play in order to get into the dance in October. So I’m really excited. I know that playoff baseball means the world to this city, to this organization,” Pete Alonso said.

“And, I mean, you have my word that I’m doing whatever I can to get the boys going and pulling my weight. So I appreciate you guys.”

He said that he’s looking ahead to the special atmosphere when Baltimore reaches the postseason. Alonso is particularly excited to see the sea of “orange towels” throughout the ballpark.