NEW YORK — Katya Lindor closed her eyes and began praying.
When she opened the game, the ball that had fallen off Francisco Lindor’s bat was still in the air and headed for the right-center field fence. “Come on, come on, come on,” she said to herself as she continued sailing. Finally, the ball went over the fence and into the visiting team’s bullpen. All around her, pandemonium erupted, orange and blue fans bouncing around in a blur, making the ground shake.
she started crying.
“It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. People are finally appreciating him and recognizing his worth,” Lindor’s wife said. “I think they’re starting to understand that off the field and definitely on the field. I’m so proud of him. I’m in awe of him every day. His hard work… Just constant. He doesn’t take his responsibilities and roles lightly. ”
Lindor’s sixth-inning grand slam was perhaps the greatest home run in Citi Field’s short history, and perhaps the best swing of his life. That hit gave the Mets a run for their money on Wednesday, taking the lead and using all of their offense to earn a 4-1 victory, knocking the rival Phillies out of the postseason and sending New York to the National League Championship Series. . First time since 2015.
The series-defining grand slam was a fairytale moment for the Queens, but it also served as a metaphor for everything Lindor meant to this Mets organization.
“I want to win it all. I want to win it all,” Lindor said. “And our team is going to be the team that will be remembered forever. This is going to be the team that comes every 10 years and eats for free everywhere we go. And I want to do that.” . I want to do that. But the work is not done. ”
Mets Director of Baseball Operations David Stearns, red-eyed with champagne and hysteria, knows that anyone who has seen Lindor step up in clutch situations this year will know how to play the game in a close game. He said he has a hunch that he will be the one to make the big hit in the fourth fight.
“I don’t know if there’s any other player in baseball who would want to step up to the plate right now in that situation,” Stearns said.
It feels like nine weeks in October, but just nine days ago, Lindor hit a game-winning, two-run homer in the eighth inning against the Braves, clinching a playoff spot for the Mets. The following week, Lindor continually got on base and hit a crucial home run for his teammates. That includes Pete Alonso’s 3-run ninth inning and Mark Vientos’ 3-run ninth inning in the winner-take-all wild-card game against the Brewers. He hit a two-run shot to tie the game in Game 2 of the NLDS vs. Philadelphia. It’s hard to believe that Lindor’s dramatic 160 mph grand slam off Carlos Estevez was the first home run of this postseason, considering how much he contributes to every win.
“The whole time I thought, this is who we are,” manager Carlos Mendoza said as Citi Field erupted. “This is part of the story. This is part of the book, part of the movie, whatever you want to call it. When he connected with that ball, I just (Lindall) ) I wanted them to enjoy it.”
“I don’t remember raising my hand, but it was like it was in the air,” Alonso said of his reaction to Lindor’s grand slam. “It was an unbelievable swing. I mean, it was a once-in-a-lifetime swing. It’s something you practice in the backyard when you’re a kid.”
The shortstop has led every step of the Mets’ improbable turn of events, from an 0-5 start to the season to finishing below .500 in 11 games in late May, when he was eliminated from All-Star Game consideration. It is no exaggeration. Journey to NLCS. Lindor’s attention to detail and ability to remain calm in stressful situations are just some of the reasons why his teammates describe him as an assassin, consistent, MVP, leader, and captain. Stearns said Lindor, 30, has been building his entire life to do what he did Wednesday night at Citi Field.
The last time he showed leadership was in the 9th inning instead of the 6th, after Edwin Diaz walked the first two batters on 10 pitches. The struggling Mets closer was walking the tightrope of protecting a three-run lead when pitching coach Jeremy Hefner called for a mound visit.
Diaz tried to encourage himself by repeating, “Let’s go, let’s go.” That’s when Lindor overheard Diaz and said, “Don’t say, ‘Let’s go.'” “Just do it.”
Diaz, who was having trouble finding the ball, instantly took aim and threw a 99 mph fastball right where he wanted it, hitting pinch hitter Cody Clemens for a strikeout. After inducing a flyout, Diaz quickly got ahead of postseason giant Kyle Schwarber and put him away with a 161 mph heater to end the season for the National League East champions.
As the Mets dugout crowded onto the field, something amazing happened. Instead of rushing to the mound, all of the Mets players sprinted to where Lindor was standing in the dirt of the infield and hugged him. And only then did his emotionless expression disappear. He laughed, he cried, he laughed, he looked around the Citi Field crowd and took it all in.
“It’s an honor to do this in front of the fans,” a red-eyed Lindor told Fox’s Tom Verducci. “We’re just going to keep climbing. If it wasn’t for the players in front of me, my turn at bat wouldn’t come. Today I hit the RBI, but anyone could have done it.”
But it was Lindor’s best chance, allowing a long-suffering fan base to witness a series win in Flushing for the first time since 2000.
“Great players do great things,” Mets owner Steve Cohen said of Lindor’s hit. “The bases were loaded. I was on my feet because it was a big moment. You knew something was going to happen.”
Similar to his style this fall, Lindor kept a straight face and remained rigid as he rounded the bases after a home run. Somehow he was the only one keeping it together while the other queens were losing their minds. Outfielder Jesse Winker described Lindor as a “stone-cold killer.” Lindor’s subdued response is a departure from the explosive, celebratory demeanor he displayed in previous postseason seasons with Cleveland. Several teammates asked Lindor about it, and Lindor said he wouldn’t celebrate until he was done and the Mets clinched a World Series finale.
Just 24 hours ago, Lindor said this was the calmest he’s been in his six career playoff appearances.
“I don’t know, but for some reason, the response from me this year hasn’t been all that excited or exciting,” he said Tuesday. “I don’t know if my lack of the usual crazy reactions has anything to do with being tired or just trying to stay in the moment. I just… I’m in a state of confusion.” I’m now living the life I’ve always wanted. ”
So are the Mets.
As the team celebrated on the field wearing black T-shirts soaked in champagne, one fan held up a placard that read “Believe in Miracles.” The other had the word “DESTINY” written in orange letters. That’s how the Mets will play in 2024. Above all, this is a resilient and destined team. According to FanGraphs’ playoff odds, the Mets entered spring training with a 2.2% chance of winning the NLCS. The same projection system gave them a 1% chance of winning the World Series. Now, the Mets are 8 wins away.
Stearns had some choice words for those who criticized the Mets’ core, led by Lindor, Alonso and Brandon Nimmo, and questioned whether they can win big games.
“I think they showed it’s a bull****,” he said. “This core has been winning games since June 1, so we can put it to bed now.”
Nevertheless, Mendoza subsequently claimed that the Mets, who actually have the best record in baseball since June 1, have not done anything yet. Lindor said he is far from satisfied. The Mets are definitely enjoying this moment. However, they are still hungry and that should be a scary sign for their next opponents. The Mets enter the NLCS as perhaps the most consistent team in baseball.
“This is what I wanted. I came here to have an opportunity to play winning baseball and try to win a World Series,” Lindor said. His play has already propelled the Mets further than anyone outside the clubhouse could have imagined. “We have to keep climbing.”
Disha Tosar is an MLB reporter for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Disha grew up on Long Island and currently lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter @DeeshaTosar.
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