The 2024 New York Mets had an incredible season, with making the NLCS being the cherry on top of a fantastic sundae. Many players contributed to the team’s success, but there’s one man who undeniably was at the center of all the action. Here’s some things fans should realize, and why he deserves an apology from millions of Mets fans.
Shortstop Francisco Lindor, 30, impressed both offensively and defensively this season. The star started off on a rather cool note, raising some cause for concern.
That’s been the case in his first season in New York, having hit 20 home runs and 60 RBIs, batting .230 with a .322 OBP.
Fans were quick to take to social media to rip into the struggling shortstop making the transition from the formerly Cleveland Indians, now Guardians.
The media was relentless in what they’d share and ask, and the fans proved to be even worse.
He entered 2022 with a chip on his shoulder, the expectations of a comeback overpowering the reality that he could face of another unproductive season.
That wasn’t quite the case, as the star put up solid numbers in year 2 in the big apple. He quietly hit 26 home runs and drove in 107, batting .270 with a .339 OBP.
In that year, Lindor was a key contributor to the wild card race in which the Mets fell to the San Diego Padres.
2023 simply proved the naysayers wrong. That was officially the second season that fans should have started apologizing to Lindor. As nice as that sounds and as much as you’d think they’d come around, the Lindor hate still was consistent, and the harsh reality and criticism was, Lindor was “a terrible hitter, sloppy defense, Lindor does absolutely nothing.”
The stats proved otherwise. In 2023, he hit 31 home runs, 98 RBIs, batting .254 with a .336 OBP.
His defense was unbelievably exceptional.
The offensive leadership and defensive capabilities he’s given the organization that year should have been enough to stop the rhetoric that he’s a below average defender and mediocre hitter.
Many of the fans still expected more of him. There comes a point where you have to ask yourself, “Are these expectations realistic?”
The reason Lindor didn’t meet their standards was simply because their expectations were terribly unrealistic.
In 2024, Lindor had a season for the ages.
Once again, the Lindor start to the season worried fans. It was evident that Lindor had lost his confidence or simply was battling the pressure of his job. Lindor entered the month May in a terrible statistical state.
It wasn’t until June, when the team was in fourth place losing nearly every game and series, that the team turned things around.
Former Mets SP Jorge Lopez tossed his glove into the stands following a loss, and the media misconstrued a statement that led to him being designated for assignment.
Lindor had taken the initiative to lead. He took matters into his own hands, calling a players only meeting. He then proceeded to hit a 2 run shot that led to a Mets win.
The Grimace era, in which the team won 7 straight, in retrospect, was not the undermining factor in why the Mets were so successful.
In fact, Lindor playing hero and putting up such impressive numbers was the sole and primary reason besides the solid pitching rotation.
This 2024, in the regular season, Lindor hit 33 home runs, 91 RBIs, posting up a 6.9 WAR, batting .273 with a .344 OBP.
To put things into perspective, the leadership that Lindor displayed facing adversity and hardships was a bonus. His offensive and defensive abilities were exceptional and he deserves an apology from every Mets fan who hasn’t already apologized for berating and tearing this man apart. The media has done its part, for the most part, in displaying the victories and noting his accomplishments and achievements. The fans, however, should be convinced that this is our shortstop. Our leader. The time to apologize is now.
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