Francisco Lindor is now the owner of arguably the greatest regular season and postseason home runs in Mets playoff history, accomplishing both in just over a week’s time.
On Wednesday night, Lindor etched himself in New York playoff lore with a go-ahead grand slam in the sixth inning that turned out to be the game winner in the clinching win over Phillies in the NLDS, leading to the first-ever series win celebrated at Citi Field.
Sal Licata says Lindor’s latest heroics cemented him atop the list of current New York sports stars.
“When you step back and look at where we are in New York sports…for me, Francisco Lindor is at the head of the table,” Sal said. “He, right now, is the No. 1 New York sports athlete in this town.
“Who are the others, Brunson and Judge? Lindor has done more.”
Judge has been the most accomplished current star in New York in the regular season, by far, but he has struggled in October, while Lindor is shining bright. Brunson had a monster postseason for the Knicks, but New York fell short of a conference final. Lindor has gotten the Mets to the NLCS, and Sal says it’s time he is recognized as the premier star in Gotham.
“He has been a central figure to the Mets success,” Sal said. “Not just in the regular season…coming back from a back injury that held him out for a significant stretch, and produces at a high level offensively and defensively, and is as clutch as he can be.
“The contract, as Cohen said, is looking like a bargain…Francisco Lindor right now is the premier athlete in New York City.”