When it comes to baseball in October, every player looks for that extra edge to push themselves over the top. But Pete Alonso, the New York Mets’ power-hitting first baseman, seems to have found something that goes beyond the usual batting practice or film sessions. This postseason, his performance has been nothing short of electrifying, and many insiders are crediting his mind-blowing pre-game ritual for fueling this surge of dominance. It’s a routine so intense, so meticulously crafted, that teammates, coaches, and even opponents can’t stop talking about it.

At the heart of this ritual lies Alonso’s obsession with preparation—not just the physical side of things but the mental and emotional energy he brings into every game. It has become a blueprint for peak performance, turning an already dangerous slugger into one of the most feared hitters in the postseason. To understand just how this ritual is powering his run, you have to look at every element that makes it so unique.

The Evolution of a Ritual

For most players, a pre-game routine might involve stretching, a few swings in the cage, and maybe a meal that brings comfort and familiarity. But for Pete Alonso, the journey toward building this elaborate pre-game ritual started long before he became a household name. Back in his minor league days, Alonso was searching for ways to maintain focus through the grind of a 162-game season. He realized early on that raw talent wasn’t enough; the mental side of baseball could make or break a player.

Over the years, what began as simple habits—listening to certain songs, visualizing at-bats, working through breathing exercises—evolved into a fully choreographed sequence that Alonso refuses to alter. Teammates joke that you could set your watch by his routine. Whether it’s a humid night in Miami or a chilly October evening in New York, Alonso follows the same steps, in the same order, with the same intensity.

The results speak for themselves. Since adopting this ritual, his consistency at the plate has skyrocketed. Even under the white-hot pressure of the postseason, when pitchers bring their best stuff and every mistake is magnified, Alonso looks as calm as ever, almost like he’s playing in slow motion while everyone else is rushing.

The Mental Edge

One of the most fascinating aspects of Alonso’s pre-game ritual is its emphasis on mental conditioning. Baseball, perhaps more than any other sport, demands an almost surgical level of focus. A hitter can fail seven out of ten times and still be considered elite. That constant battle with failure wears on players, especially in October when entire seasons come down to a single swing.

Alonso has spoken openly about using visualization techniques before games. He imagines specific at-bats, specific pitches, even specific counts. By the time he steps into the batter’s box, he feels like he’s already lived the moment dozens of times in his mind. This level of preparation gives him an uncanny ability to anticipate pitchers’ strategies, almost like he’s one step ahead before the ball even leaves the pitcher’s hand.

Teammates say his focus in the dugout is unshakable. While others joke around or check their phones, Alonso sits with his headphones on, eyes closed, running through mental reps. It’s part meditation, part competitive fire, all wrapped into one. When asked about it, Alonso simply says he wants to be “completely present” when the game begins. And based on his postseason numbers, it’s working.

Physical Precision Meets Superstition

Of course, baseball players are famous for their superstitions, and Alonso is no exception. His pre-game ritual includes certain superstitious elements that make it uniquely his own. From wearing the same undershirt during winning streaks to arranging his bats in a specific order before batting practice, Alonso embraces these quirks wholeheartedly.

But beneath the superstition lies a methodical approach to physical preparation. Alonso spends nearly an hour on mobility exercises, resistance-band drills, and batting cage work designed to fine-tune every muscle group used in his swing. Coaches note that his bat speed and power have reached new heights this season, and they credit the deliberate nature of his routine for keeping him locked in physically while avoiding fatigue.

Interestingly, Alonso also incorporates recovery science into his ritual. Ice baths, compression gear, and even specific nutritional shakes play a role in ensuring his body feels the same in Game 30 as it does in Game 130. It’s this blend of old-school superstition and modern athletic science that makes his routine stand out in a league full of creatures of habit.

Fueling Postseason Fire

The postseason is where legends are made, and Alonso’s recent tear at the plate has turned him into one of the most talked-about players in baseball. Pitchers know they can’t make mistakes against him right now. Analysts point to his slugging percentage and home run totals as evidence of his dominance, but what stands out even more is his ability to deliver in clutch situations.

Down by a run in the eighth inning? Alonso seems to thrive there. Bases loaded with two outs? That’s when he looks the most relaxed. This calmness under pressure has everything to do with the mental and physical groundwork laid by his pre-game routine. By the time he steps into the box, there’s no panic, no hesitation—just preparation meeting opportunity.

Former players have compared Alonso’s approach to some of the game’s greats, noting that while raw talent is essential, the ability to stay mentally sharp through the chaos of October separates the good from the great. Alonso appears to be joining that latter group, and his ritual is at the heart of it all.

Impact on the Team

What makes Alonso’s routine even more fascinating is the ripple effect it has on the rest of the Mets clubhouse. Younger players have started adopting parts of his ritual—breathing exercises, visualization techniques, even his unique warm-up drills. Coaches say the overall team culture has shifted toward a more focused, intentional mindset since Alonso became a leader in the locker room.

Veteran teammates respect the dedication, even if they don’t fully embrace every element themselves. Some laugh about the superstitions, others swear by the mental training, but everyone agrees on one thing: when Alonso goes through his ritual, it sets the tone for the entire team.

The Mets have fed off that energy all postseason, rallying around their slugger as he continues to produce big hit after big hit. Baseball may be an individual battle between pitcher and hitter, but Alonso’s preparation has clearly created a sense of collective confidence inside the dugout.

A Glimpse Into the Future

As Alonso continues to crush baseballs this October, fans and analysts alike are wondering how far this run can go. Could his ritual help lead the Mets to a World Series title? Could it turn him into one of the defining players of his generation?

What’s clear is that Alonso isn’t changing anything anytime soon. He has found a formula that works—a perfect storm of mental focus, physical preparation, and a few superstitions for good measure. Opposing pitchers will keep adjusting, scouting reports will grow thicker, but Alonso’s confidence seems unshakable because of the groundwork laid hours before the first pitch.

And that might be the biggest lesson here. In a sport obsessed with statistics and analytics, Alonso reminds everyone that success often begins long before the lights come on. It starts in the quiet moments, in the rituals no one sees, in the unwavering belief that preparation breeds greatness.

As the postseason drama unfolds, one thing is certain: Pete Alonso’s mind-blowing pre-game ritual isn’t just fueling his dominance—it’s redefining what it means to be ready for October baseball.