Mets slugger Pete Alonso keeping his playoff pumpkin safe — home and away

NEW YORK (AP) — Pete Alonso is taking no chances with his playoff pumpkin.

Wearing a custom hoodie highlighting his now-famous lucky squash, the New York Mets' slugger said Wednesday the pumpkin was stashed away in his locker at Citi Field.

But away from home, he rarely lets it out of sight.

“What I do, I always take it with me. On the road I’ve taken it back to the hotel because I don’t want any clubbies or anybody messing with it. It’s kept safe every day,” Alonso said before Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Admittedly important cargo, the small pumpkin doesn't get packed in his bags, either.

“Oh no,” the first baseman said. “Like, I carry it with me. Because it could be destroyed in my luggage.”

The “playoff pumpkin,” as Alonso calls it, is one of several (perhaps goofy) good-luck charms the wild-card Mets and their fans have happily embraced throughout this surprising ride deep into October.

He and his wife scooped up the special Halloween accoutrement while visiting a Wisconsin farm when the Mets were playing the Brewers in late September.

It was on display during a wild clubhouse celebration in Milwaukee following Alonso's go-ahead homer in the ninth inning that saved New York’s season in the Wild Card Series clincher on Oct. 3.

“I just think it’s really fun. I think this has just been an incredible and magical ride. Every single one of us is having a blast,” said Alonso, wearing an “OMG” knit cap in a nod to teammate Jose Iglesias' hit pop song.

“So that’s why — whether it’s OMG, whether it’s Grimace or the playoff pumpkin — every team has a thing, whether it be playoff beards or whatever. It’s pretty much unanimous in every sport.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

New York Mets' Pete Alonso (20) celebrates with Harrison Bader (44) after hitting a solo home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso (20) and Brandon Nimmo (9) celebrate after scoring on a base hit by Starling Marte against the Philadelphia Phillies during the sixth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso celebrates after the Mets defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4 of the National League baseball playoff series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso celebrates in the locker room after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4 of the National League baseball playoff series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso (20) tosses his bat as he watches his solo home run sail over the right field wall against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets Pete Alonso (20) connects for a solo home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso speaks during a news conference before Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso speaks before Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ron Blum)

MENDENHALL, Miss. (AP) — At least three people died and four were critically injured after a Mississippi bridge, in the process of being demolished, collapsed Wednesday afternoon while work was being conducted at the site, authorities said.

The deaths and injuries were confirmed by Simpson County Sheriff Paul Mullins, WLBT-TV reported.

The Simpson County coroner’s office was responding to the scene but did not provide any additional details, WJTV-TV said.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation, in a news release, said the bridge over the Strong River on State Route 149 in Simpson County, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Jackson, has been closed to traffic since Sept. 18 as part of a bridge replacement project handled by contractor T.L. Wallace Construction.

Details of how the accident occurred were not immediately available.

The Associated Press left phone messages for Mullins and the Simpson County coroner, Terry Tutor. A call to the construction company was unanswered Wednesday evening, and it was not possible to leave a message.

Department of Transportation spokesperson Anna Ehrgott said the agency “would share more information with the public as it becomes available.” The department said one of its inspectors was at the work site when the bridge collapsed, and that person was unharmed.

This image taken from video from WLBT shows law enforcement and Missouri Department of Transportation workers at the scene after a bridge over the Strong River on State Route 149 in Simpson County, Miss., collapsed on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. (WLBT via AP)

This image taken from video from WLBT shows construction workers at the scene after a bridge over the Strong River on State Route 149 in Simpson County, Miss., collapsed on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. (WLBT via AP)