Jun 19, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) looks up while on deck during the third inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: New York Mets at Houston Astros
(Queens, NY) – When the Mets hit the road one week ago, their season was in early danger. After starting out the season 1-5, fans feared the worst. Would a second-consecutive lost season be the reality in Queens?
Thankfully, the road trip saw New York reverse its fortunes, particularly offensively – and the club now sits at 5-7.
Yet throughout the recent offensive renaissance – which saw that bats of Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil come alive in particular – one key contributor had continued to scuffle. Shortstop Francisco Lindor, who in many ways is the face of the Steve Cohen era in New York, has not been able to get going offensively.
Lindor hit a homer and doubled in one of the Mets’ games in Cincinnati (both from the right side of the plate). Otherwise, it’s basically been bupkis. Entering play Friday, Lindor is batting .098, with an .203 OBP, and paltry .176 OPS.
And so, perhaps unsurprisingly, Mets fans have not been pleased. Some – again no shock – have gotten nasty and spread that vitriol on social media. Lindor’s wife took to Instagram and shared some nasty and threatening messages she received, although she also noted there have been many messages of support as well.
On SNY’s Mets site, writer Danny Abriano has a suggestion: he thinks the Amazins’ fans should channel the Fightin Phils’ fans, and give Lindor some encouragement.
Last season, as Phillies shortstop Trea Turner was mired in a season-long slump, a campaign circulated to give him a big standing ovation. The idea was the fans’ boos and expressions of displeasure weren’t helping, and might be hurting. After fans came together and gave Turner that big hand, his season turned around, and he helped lead Philadelphia back to the NLCS.
So, Abriano asks: why not do the same for Lindor? When the Mets begin their homestand at CitiField against the Kansas City Royals, Abriano wants the home fans to rise to their feet and cheer loudly for Lindor.
The Mets writer included some quotes, like this one from Lindor: “It’s good to know there’s people on my side besides my wife and my family. Just put my head down, keep grinding, and keep climbing.” Owner Steve Cohen on X agreed: “Positivity goes a long way.”
And if the Trea Turner turnaround is any indication, a long way may be an understatement. After the Citizens Bank Park crowd feted him with cheers, the shortstop posted a .337/.389/.668 slash line the rest of the way.
Mets fans would be more than willing to rise out of their seats and put their hands together for that type of production. And really – what’s the harm in spreading a little good cheer?
So Friday night the cheers may go up: Let’s Go Mets! Let’s Go Lindor!
Should that happen, you can’t guarantee anything off Lindor’s bat. But you can (as akways) count on one thing from the Mets shortstop: a big smile.
