Mets’ Francisco Lindor joins 30-30 club for first time: ‘It means a lot’
Francisco Lindor has had some incredible seasons, but this year may be his best.
The Mets shortstop hit three home runs during Wednesday’s doubleheader to reach 30 home runs for the season. He already picked up 30 stolen bases earlier, making him the latest member of the 30-30 club.
“Francisco has a great grasp of baseball history and He loves being a part of it. He takes the responsibility of playing and being there for everybody,” manager Buck Showalter said after Game 2. “He’s a guy you can always trust with things. He keeps grinding. He can put yesterday’s successes and failures behind him. He’s got an outside shot of 100 RBI now. I’m just glad people can see what he’s doing in a season, to start comparing with other people.”
Lindor’s second home run of the nightcap made him the fourth player in franchise history to have a 30-30 season, joining David Wright (2007), Howard Johnson (1991, 1989, 1987) and Darryl Strawberry (1987).
He’s also just the fifth shortstop in major league history -- joining Barry Larkin (1996), Álex Rodríguez (1998), Jimmy Rollins (2007) and Hanley Ramírez (2008) -- to hit the milestone.
“I don’t play for numbers but it’s really hard not to play for numbers here in New York. Numbers come up a lot here. But [the milestone] means a lot,” Lindor said. “To be in the category with guys that I idolized growing up like Larkin and [Carlos] Beltran, those guys to me are very special in my life. And to be in the same category as them is pretty cool. It’s pretty cool.”
Lindor thanked his coaches, teammates and family for supporting him and helping him get through the season healthy. The shortstop shouted out his teammate Pete Alonso specifically for helping him get to 30 home runs on Wednesday.
“Today I asked Pete, ‘Pete, how do I hit this guy?’” Lindor explained. “He gave me his approach and plan and I went into the box to be like Pete in a way and it worked out.”
Despite the personal accomplishment, Lindor thinks about what could have been this season. The Mets split Wednesday’s doubleheader and now have a 72-86 record. They were eliminated from playoff contention earlier this month.
After a 101-win season in 2022, this year was a disappointment for Lindor and the Mets organization, and the infielder -- whose contract runs through 2031 -- is thinking about the future.
“He’s always about the team first. I talked to him, driving home last night and he called. And he came in today and we were talking about different things about the club moving forward,” Showalter said. “He’s all about baseball and the Mets and to put together something to be the last team standing. That’s what we’re all trying to do here. It’s been challenging for him this year but he’s never given in. I’m awful proud of him. We’re lucky to have him.”
For the last few games of the season, the Mets are relegated to being spoilers. They will look to take the three-game set Thursday against the Marlins, who are fighting for the final Wild Card spot.
While he and the rest of the Mets continue to play hard, Lindor longs for meaningful games in September.
“At the end of the day I wish I kinda was in the Marlins’ position right now,” he said.
