The ovations lasted 39 seconds, first roar until first pitch, and it was the fourth such notice of the night. The people had chanted Pete Alonso’s name when he first walked out of the dugout, then when he stood along the third base line, later for the welcome-home video. Business settled, Jonah Tong retired Alonso on a short fly to right field.

And the cheers began again — quickly replaced by another cheer, another sentiment. “FIRE STEARNS!” came the rumble from section to section. “FIRE STEARNS!”

Stearns was rescued by Tong completing his 1-2-3 inning, and then by a quick-thinking Citi Field staffer who put Howie Rose’s picture on the scoreboard. And even the saltiest Mets fan is in no mood to let Rose absorb any of Stearns’ collateral damage.

Alonso had spent 15 minutes talking beforehand, emptying his memory, embracing the reality of a new city, grateful for what he already knew was going to be a warm polar bear hug of a welcome back home.