Francisco Lindor still can’t watch the 2016 World Series, the one where his Cleveland Indians went to extra innings in Game 7 against the Chicago Cubs in a virtual “next score could win the whole thing” scenario.
Outside of that notion, though, there is almost always a smile on the 27-year-old shortstop’s face, one that got a little wider when he found out last week that he was headed for New York.
“It was mixed feelings when I got the call, because I love Cleveland and the fans were great,” Lindor said Monday during his introductory press conference. “But there’s been so much excitement around the Mets that I couldn’t help but be happy for this new opportunity. I’m blessed to be able to play the best game out there in the biggest city.”
Smiles are contagious, as he noted, and he is always smiling because he’s “living his dream.” He’ll do that for at least this year in New York – of course, much like Mets GM Jared Porter and President Sandy Alderson, Lindor downplayed the notion of an extension – but he’s looking forward to the bright lights.
They say there’s a lot of opportunity here, it’s a big market with a lot of people on top of you, but I’m blessed to be playing the game,” he said. “I’m going to be Francisco Lindor – I’m going to walk in, smile, and let them know I’m here to contribute – and hopefully people like me! I’m enjoying the ride.”
Lindor discussed being vocal about the Indians’ COVID-19 scares last season, noting that he spoke up because he didn’t want to risk the health of his pregnant fiancé, but he’s not going to necessarily be that kind of vocal leader when it’s not called for New York.
“I enjoy the process, and along the way, if they see me as a team leader, I’m not going to back down – I will embrace the role and do my thing, but you won’t see me being the rah-rah screamer,” he said. “I’m very hands-on to my task, and we all work towards greatness and the ultimate goal together.”
Lindor hasn’t spoken at length with too many people in the Mets organization, but he has texted with quite a few, and has heard “nothing but great things.”
“I’ve heard the clubhouse gets along well, and everyone is ready to put in the work and win,” he said. “I’m excited to be here and be part of the great thing we have going on. I want to be one piece of the puzzle, and hopefully we achieve the ultimate goal.”
He’s not concerned about the back pages – “it’s not about the past, it’s about the present, and we want to be the No. 1 team not only in New York, but the league,” he said – and isn’t afraid of the good and the bad that comes with those words, as well as the ones he’ll hear from fans.
“I’ve heard nothing but good things. They’ve said the field is extremely loud, and the fans care about and understand the game,” Lindor said. “I’m excited because that’s all you can ask for. It’s a privilege to wear this orange and blue logo, and I’m grateful.”
One other thing he’s grateful for? Being able to play for a team he watched a lot of growing up, because of several past Latino superstars he idolized growing up in Puerto Rico and Florida.
“Guys like (Jose) Reyes, (Carlos) Delgado, (Carlos) Beltran…they all had success here. It was fun to watch them, and now that I get a chance to be here, I am looking forward to it,” he said. “I hope the Latino community welcomes me; I’m extremely proud to be Puerto Rican, and I can’t wait to show my roots and the passion and love I have for the game.”
No matter what happens on or off the field over the next 10 months, Lindor is always going to stay true to himself.
“I embrace every step of my life. If I’m one of the faces of the team, I embrace that. I’ve never been the type of player to say follow me – I always say it’s about us achieving what we want together,” he said. “Let’s find a way to do this together; we have a great thing here, and I want to be a piece of that puzzle. I will work as hard as I can every day, and I will be Francisco Lindor: a guy who has fun, is honest when he needs to be, and helps pull the rope next to everyone else.”
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