Call to the pen
Fansided

Francisco Lindor finally has signature moment for New York Mets

By David Hill

Sep 12, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) hits his third home run of the game in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) hits his third home run of the game in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Mets have been waiting for Francisco Lindor to have that breakout game. While he had displayed flashes that led to the hope that he was ready to snap out of his season long slump, that just never happened. He also had yet to have that moment that defined his time with the Mets, unless his thumbs down celebration was counted.

That changed on Sunday. In an interleague game against the crosstown Yankees, Lindor delivered in a way that the Mets had been waiting for all year. He belted three homers, including the game winner, while driving in five in the Mets’ 7-6 victory.

Francisco Lindor has signature moment for New York Mets

Even with that game, Lindor’s numbers have not been great. He now has a .22/.322/.407 batting line on the year, having hit 17 homers and 14 doubles. The Mets certainly expected a lot more for their investment.

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Sometimes, it just takes one game to get going. That one moment when a player officially arrives in a city, where they are accepted by the fanbase. Mets fans wanted to accept Lindor from the beginning, as his acquisition was a sign that the team would finally act as a large market club should.

But Lindor had been unable to live up to those expectations. His struggles, and those of the Mets, have washed away all of that goodwill. The fans expect results, and neither had delivered.

It may be too late for Lindor to save the Mets’ 2021 campaign. The team is back at .500, five games behind the Braves for the division. Although they are mathematically still alive, it is unlikely that the Mets will be able to make that push.

Nonetheless, this performance on Sunday gives the Mets hope with Lindor. If he can finish the season on a positive note and start to swing a hot bat, that could carry over into the next year. Ending the season with a flourish, and knowing that he can perform in a pressure packed market such as New York, can make a major difference heading into the following year.

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The New York Mets have been waiting for Francisco Lindor to have that moment when he truly arrived with the franchise. Sunday was that game.

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