Josh Tolentino: Orioles’ Pete Alonso brings needed leadership — and more

SARASOTA, Fla. — Trevor Rogers initially assumed something was wrong. He certainly wasn’t aware what was happening in real time.

A pair of fielding errors forced the Baltimore Orioles southpaw to toss extra pitches and linger underneath the sun on Tuesday afternoon. Suddenly, his teammates converged near the mound. It wasn’t a meeting called by rookie catcher Samuel Basallo, either.

Rather, it was veteran first baseman Pete Alonso, the franchise’s prized $155 million offseason acquisition, who deemed the mound visit necessary in a seemingly meaningless exhibition game against Team Netherlands.

“I thought he saw something that I was tipping pitches,” Rogers said of Alonso calling his own mound visit in the second inning.

Not quite.

“It wasn’t about [Rogers] or anybody,” Alonso said. “It was like, ‘Hey, we just need to clean it up.’ If we want to go far in the playoffs, it’s all about doing the little things right even now, getting into good habits.”

What a refreshing sense of accountability from the eighth-year slugger.

Seriously.

Position players, especially first basemen, at the pro level rarely call their own in-game meetings. That responsibility almost always belongs to the catcher or on occasional instances, the shortstop, for defensive positioning. Don’t count Alonso part of that group.

Fans likely won’t remember the early March box score from Baltimore’s 8-5 exhibition loss to the Netherlands (actually a majority of Birdland will have little-to-no recollection since the game wasn’t broadcast locally back home), but if the Orioles goes on to make a meaningful run later in the year when the games count, moments like Alonso’s on-field accountability scene will be etched in the root of the club’s emerging culture under first-year manager Craig Albernaz.

Too often throughout the Orioles’ disappointing 2025 campaign (75-87) in which they missed the postseason with a last-place finish in the AL East, the Orioles lacked the leadership required to sustain the expected blows from a 162-game gauntlet.

Insert the Polar Bear.

“If you have that habit of playing good baseball, then it becomes second nature,” Alonso said. “But now in camp, we need to lock in on it and play clean baseball. That’s just a good habit. That’s just winning culture. If we play clean baseball, good things will happen.”

Since his early arrival to spring training ahead of most teammates, Alonso has served as one of the loudest player voices across the team’s complex along the western Florida shore. From the outset, Alonso often has barked constructive and playful criticism toward his pitching teammates and hitters alike.

Many, including myself, wondered exactly how Alonso’s presence would fit not just in the middle of the lineup, but also inside a clubhouse with a talented but largely unproven bunch.

So far, it feels like a pretty nifty fit.

Especially lacking in the Orioles’ clubhouse is postseason experience; under president of baseball operations Mike Elias, the club owns an 0-5 postseason record. Alonso brings valuable experience following his record-setting seven seasons with the Mets. He appeared in 16 postseason games, including the Mets’ run to the NL Championship Series in 2024 that included postseason series wins over the Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies.

Now in Baltimore, Alonso seems determined to help deliver the Orioles’ first postseason win since October 2014.

That winning formula starts during the early humid days of spring training.

“Pete’s sort of like, ‘We aren’t playing with the energy that we need to play with,’” Rogers said. “Coming from a veteran like that on March 3, really hampering down that we need to play with energy, especially [on] days like this, it’s really tough to get the body going, get yourself ready and the adrenaline pumping.

“So coming from a leader like that — oh, man, he’s going to help us a lot, especially telling us we need to pick up the slack.”

Inside the batter’s box, Alonso hasn’t missed a beat after launching 264 career home runs in New York.

The right-handed power hitter blasted his “third” home run of the spring, though his latest example of his renowned pop won’t count toward official Grapefruit League statistics since Tuesday was an exhibition with Team Netherlands warming up for World Baseball Classic pool play.

Who cares if stats won’t count from Tuesday’s exhibition? Alonso’s power and leadership are equally palpable, and exactly what the rebounding Orioles need.

There might be times throughout the regular season when Alonso, like how he did on Tuesday, has to do it all on his own.

His home run in the first inning represented the club’s only hit until he cracked a single up the middle in his next at-bat. With Gunnar Henderson departed for Team USA and Jordan Westburg and Jackson Holliday still rehabbing from their respective injuries, Alonso was the only projected opening day infield starter in Tuesday’s lineup with third baseman Bryan Ramos, shortstop Jeremiah Jackson and second baseman Thairo Estrada.

Alonso, whose 18.9 barrel percentage (a batted ball with the perfect combination of exit velocity and launch angle) ranked fifth in MLB in 2025, reached base in his two plate appearances, with his sharp line drive up the middle recording a higher exit velocity (110 mph) than his 384-foot home run (102.7 mph) that landed beyond the right field fence at Ed Smith Stadium.

When the club’s front office inked him to a five-year deal, the Orioles had confidence in what they were receiving in Alonso the power hitter.

But with roughly three weeks until opening day, Alonso is quickly emerging as the Orioles’ clubhouse leader. There couldn’t be a more clear example than his latest dose of accountability and his pleading with teammates Tuesday.

“It’s a great group and these guys make it super easy to come to the field everyday and bring that energy,” Alonso said. “As you progress in your career, you start to become the older guy. For me, it’s just remembering lessons. Having that rapport with [teammates], where it’s like, you can hold each other accountable and not get your feelings hurt, and that’s super productive and great.

“It doesn’t matter how you deliver it, as long as the message is delivered and [teammates] are receptive and pulling in the same direction … it’s fantastic.”

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola maintains there is a lot to fight for in the title race despite his side losing further ground to Arsenal on Wednesday night.

City’s winning run came to an end at six games across all competitions as two moments of brilliance from Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson rescued a 2-2 draw for Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal, on the other hand, picked up their third Premier League win in a row courtesy of an early Bukayo Saka strike against Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.

The Gunners stand seven points clear of City and despite playing an extra game, Mikel Arteta and co are firmly in the driving seat in the title race and will be confident of winning a first Premier League title in 22 years for Arsenal.

Where do City’s title chances stand after drawing to Forest?

Manchester City made a poor start to 2026 that saw doubts circle over their silverware prospects in January but after turning a corner in February, there was renewed hope of another potential title hijack from the Etihad Stadium.

However, City’s chances of usurping Arsenal look bleak and Guardiola knows his side can only control their own results and hope for a slip-up from the north Londoners after their latest set of dropped points against Nottingham Forest.

“Disappointed for the result. We did everything, again,” Guardiola said in a post-match interview with TNT Sports. “We didn’t concede much and we had chances, at the end especially, but during the game as well. But yeah, (we will) keep going.”

On whether he is expecting further twists and turns in the title race, Guardiola added: “There are a lot of games to play so we have to continue.”

What did Guardiola make of Manchester City’s penalty claims against Forest?

Manchester City had two major shouts for a penalty waved away by referee Darren England against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, prompting strong criticism from club captain Bernardo Silva for officiating decisions repeatedly going against the Blues this term.

However, Guardiola took a more pragmatic approach to his verdict on the denied penalties. “Nothing to say,” the Catalan said to TNT Sports on the penalty shouts that went against Manchester City against Forest.

Adding on the subject in his post-match press conference, the 55-year-old said: “Always I believe we have to do much better, much better to not make interventions from officials.

“Otherwise, we don’t have anything. It’s our responsibility to do better. If you have to rely on them with what happened this season, it’s impossible. Nothing more to say.”

How do Manchester City pick themselves up to go again?

Guardiola was not overly critical of his side’s performance against Forest – in fact, the Manchester City manager liked certain aspects of what his players put on show against Vitor Pereira’s men.

“In general, it was a good performance,” Guardiola said in his press conference. “Many, many good things. And of course, we have things we can improve in some departments. But in general, really good.”

On whether it would be difficult for Manchester City to pick themselves up again after their latest setback, Guardiola said in a defiant tone: “Are you sure? Okay…”

Guardiola and his players don’t have the luxury of time to dwell upon Wednesday’s disappointment as they quickly switch their focus to Saturday night’s FA Cup fifth round tie against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.

Inter Milan starlet Francesco Pio Esposito could make his inaugural Derby della Madonnina start when the Nerazzurri take on AC Milan on Sunday.

According to Tuttosport via FCInterNews, the 20-year-old is no stranger to scoring against the Rossoneri, though he has yet to do so at senior level.

With ten points separating the sides ahead of Sunday’s kickoff, Inter could land a knockout blow on Milan’s Scudetto hopes this weekend.

However, the Nerazzurri will have to achieve that without Lautaro Martinez, who remains in the pits with a calf injury.

Inter Milan Ace Pio Esposito Set to Make First Derby Start vs AC Milan

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 23: Francesco Pio Esposito of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Pisa SC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 23, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Lautaro’s absence leaves a significant hole in Inter’s attack, handing Pio Esposito a golden opportunity to shine on the grandest stage.

Indeed, the Italian prodigy is likely to get the nod in attack ahead of French star Ange-Yoan Bonny, who has just recovered from injury.

Esposito has been in far better form than Marcus Thuram lately, and he will shoulder the burden of expectations on Sunday.

However, if there’s anyone capable of scoring against the Rossoneri, it’s Esposito, who had frequently found the net against them at youth level.

Before the MLS, Griezmann wants to deliver one last title to Atlético

Griezmann / @x.com/atletiuniverse/

French international Antoine Griezmann, the star of Atlético Madrid, has decided to postpone his move to the American club Orlando City during the first transfer window in the United States, which closes on March 26.

Before the MLS, Griezmann wants to deliver one last title to Atlético

According to information revealed by ESPN, Griezmann’s decision comes after Atlético Madrid qualified for the Copa del Rey final. The French forward has chosen to stay with his team to help them clinch the trophy before considering a new adventure in Major League Soccer.

The 2018 World Cup winner played a crucial role in Los Colchoneros’ qualification against FC Barcelona, scoring the second goal in the first leg. That strike only strengthened his resolve to finish the season in style with the Madrid club.

Griezmann also hopes to feature in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Tottenham, scheduled for March 18, with the ambition of propelling Atlético Madrid to the quarterfinals.

A true club icon, Griezmann is one of Atlético’s most influential players of the modern era. He ranks fourth in the club’s all-time appearances with 483 matches and remains Atlético Madrid’s top scorer with 210 goals.

Griezmann settles scores with Barça after Atlético's qualification