Jul 31, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) runs toward third base during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park. Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Mets' Pete Alonso on critics of RBI stat: 'They don't necessarily understand baseball'

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 8/15/22

The RBI statistic has been devalued in recent years, but one player still finds it important.

Pete Alonso was asked after his New York Mets’ 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday whether he sees a lot of value in RBI. The question came after a game where Alonso knocked in the only run of the game. He hit an opposite field fly ball that dropped in for a single.

Alonso said RBIs were “for sure” valuable.

Pete Alonso was asked about analytics devaluing RBI totals:

"It's a run-scoring competition, it's not a hit competition."

On people who devalue RBIs: "I think they don't necessarily understand baseball." pic.twitter.com/sQAyhMskzd

— SNY (@SNYtv) August 14, 2022

“It’s a run-scoring competition; it’s not a hit competition,” Alonso said. “People who don’t really think that, I think they don’t necessarily understand baseball.”

RBI is still an imperfect stat, because at times they can reflect the amount of chances a player has to knock in a run, rather than how good the player has been at knocking in the runs.

Alonso’s 97 RBI this season have him second in MLB behind only Aaron Judge.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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