Mets right fielder Carson Benge made history on Saturday, setting the franchise rookie record for most hits in a season following a 3-for-4 performance.
The 23-year-old now sits atop the Mets’ rookie hits leaderboard after notching his 156th hit of the season on a check-swing infield single in the eighth inning that drove in a run as part of a four-run inning that put the game out of reach.
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After the game, Benge spoke about what it means to now hold the record, which was previously held by Pete Alonso (155 hits) in 2019.
“It’s special to see all the guys that have come through here, all the greats and the types of players that have come through here and been rookies here, so being able to hold that is pretty special,” Benge said.
Benge’s latest game, which included his 19th home run of the year, now has him slashing .276/.339/.420 in 149 games.
What’s even more impressive about the rookie’s phenomenal campaign is that it came after a disastrous beginning to his season, which saw him hitting as low as .091.
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Regardless of his rough start, though, Benge’s confidence never wavered.
“I came in [to the league] knowing I belonged,” he said. “It was kind of rough there in the beginning, but sticking with my path and grinding out every day and then now finally showing others that I belong here too.”
Since his debut on Opening Day, and even before that during spring training, Benge has shown an impressive demeanor where he doesn’t allow himself to get too high or too low. It’s something that has allowed him to find success even during the most difficult times, for both him and the team.
“It kind of just proves that I’m tough, you know?” he said. “I won’t let things get me down too much. Just staying level-headed the whole time and not really worrying too much about the results, just going day by day.”
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After getting his final hit of the game, the one that set the record, Benge was met with raucous applause by the Citi Field faithful, something that he doesn’t take lightly in the midst of a lost season.
“It’s amazing. Even though we’re out of it, we still got the best fans in the world and being able to see that was pretty cool,” he said.
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