Former Oklahoma State star Carson Benge made Mets history, breaking Pete Alonso’s franchise rookie hits record with his 156th hit. Afterward, manager Andy Green praised Benge’s rapid rise and joked, “I think we should keep drafting Oklahoma State kids.”
Carson Benge has gone from starring at O'Brate Stadium to owning a piece of New York Mets history in barely two years.
The former Oklahoma State standout broke the Mets' single-season rookie hits record Saturday, collecting his 156th hit of the season in New York's 10-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field.
Benge passed Pete Alonso, who recorded 155 hits during his record-setting rookie season in 2019. And fittingly for a player who has produced in just about every way during his first major league season, Benge didn't break the record with anything particularly glamorous.
After launching his 19th home run of the season in the second inning, Benge singled in the seventh to tie Alonso's record. An inning later, he hit a check-swing bouncer down the third-base line and beat it out for an RBI infield single to stand alone atop the Mets' rookie record book.
Mets interim manager Andy Green couldn't help but appreciate the irony.
"You imagine it would be a home run to break the record, but it's a swinging bunt down the line, so it's poetic," Green said. "He gets hits all different types of ways."
From Early Struggles to Mets History
Benge's record becomes even more impressive considering how his rookie season began.
After making New York's Opening Day roster, Benge hit just .136 through his first 20 games. Rather than sending him back to the minor leagues, the Mets stuck with their young outfielder.
He rewarded them. Since April 23, Benge has hit .294 while establishing himself as one of New York's most consistent offensive players. Through Saturday, the 23-year-old is hitting .276 with 156 hits, 19 home runs and 22 stolen bases.
Green pointed toward Benge's response to that difficult opening month as one of the things that has impressed him most.
"Adversity early on. To be as good as he has been for as long as he has since that first month of the season," Green said. "Relaxed and plays the right way. Goes about his business the same way regardless of what happens or who he is facing."
Then came perhaps the highest compliment Green could offer.
"Just a baseball player, which is the best compliment you can give anybody."
From Stillwater to the Mets Record Book
Benge's rapid ascent began at Oklahoma State, where he developed into one of college baseball's top two-way players.
In two playing seasons with the Cowboys, Benge hit .339 with 41 doubles, 25 home runs and 107 RBIs across 119 games. He was an All-American and First-Team All-Big 12 selection in 2024 while helping OSU win the Big 12 Championship.
The Mets selected him No. 19 overall in the 2024 MLB Draft. Just over two years later, he's already a franchise record holder.
Green couldn't resist pointing that out — or offering New York's front office a little future draft advice.
"You draft him 19th and then just one year later, he's breaking the rookie record," Green said. "I think we should keep drafting Oklahoma State kids."
Oklahoma State baseball quickly quote-tweeted the remark with a simple response:
"We approve of this statement."
Considering how quickly Benge has gone from Stillwater to making history in Queens, it's difficult to blame them.
