The Rush: Mets star Francisco Lindor on superstition, Subway Series and surprisingly rowdy fans
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor joins The Rush to chat with Jared about how baseball superstition factors into the Mets’ hot start this season, looking ahead to the Subway Series against the Yankees, why he enjoys being mic’d up during games, the rowdiest stadium in baseball, and why you’ll never see him break a bat in anger. PLUS: Francisco Lindor surprises pitcher Brock Porter of St. Mary’s Preparatory School (Orchard Lake, MI) with the 2021-22 Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year award!
Video Transcript
JARED QUAY: Do you ever get really upset, like when you strike out on something you shouldn't struck out-- have you ever broke a bat?
FRANCISCO LINDOR: No, I never broke a bat. I've broken many, many bats, but not over my knee or slamming them to the ground. When I strike out, OK, I'm sorry I struck out, you know.
Also, my dad gets mad at me if I start slamming stuff.
JARED QUAY: OK, yeah, you gotta represent the family. You represent more than just yourself out there.
What's up, everybody? I'm here with Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor. How are you doing today, brother?
FRANCISCO LINDOR: I'm doing good, Jared.
JARED QUAY: Mets right now have the best record in the National League. And I know baseball players are superstitious. So what can't you do right now to make sure y'all keep winning?
FRANCISCO LINDOR: So, basically, you're right about that. Baseball players are very superstitious. But I'm not.
[LAUGHTER]
[INAUDIBLE]. To be superstitious, man, life gotta be the same all the time. I wear too many different cleats and too many different colors. I shave my hair too much. I don't know. I don't-- I can't be superstitious.
JARED QUAY: The other team in New York looks really good, too, as they have the best record in baseball. So how much are you looking forward to that Yankees-Mets rivalry? And what's it like experiencing that?
FRANCISCO LINDOR: I'm super happy that both teams in New York are playing well. The city is [INAUDIBLE]-- I know when it does happen, it's gonna be electric, for sure. Hopefully, by then, everybody is healthy still. And you know that that always gives a little bit of bragging rights for the [INAUDIBLE].
JARED QUAY: Out of all the places you've played in-- you've played in a lot of different stadiums-- which stadium is the rowdiest? What's the most crazy environment you've played in?
FRANCISCO LINDOR: I played in Toronto, and that got-- that got rowdy. Yeah, those Canadians, they get rowdy. They're good people.
But, like, it's a dome so you close-- I mean, it opens and closes. It was just electric. And then the dugout's, like, the top of the dugout is metal. So when they step on it, and they start hitting on it, man, you feel like the thing is gonna collapse.
- Thank you very much, Francisco, for wearing the microphone. We appreciate it, the earpiece.
FRANCISCO LINDOR: Yeah, what's going on, fellas? How are you guys doing?
JARED QUAY: You were mic'd up during a game against the Phillies. And you turned a double play in the middle of a conversation with broadcasters.
FRANCISCO LINDOR: He's kind of a quiet guy when you play against him, but when he's on your team--
[CRACK OF THE BAT]
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
FRANCISCO LINDOR: --baby. Yay!
JARED QUAY: Do you enjoy being mic'd up?
FRANCISCO LINDOR: It was fun. I mean, I'm always talking. So I'm always talking when I'm on the field. So what difference does it make that I'm talking to somebody up in the booth or the third baseman, second baseman, the [? outfield? ?]
I'm always talking. I'm always looking around baseball. It's a little slower-paced game, my pace.
Hitting, I can't really do it. Fielding, I'll definitely do it. I'm able to concentrate at the same time while I'm playing defense. When I'm hitting, I'm just so locked in on the pitcher, and if I hear something else, it will throw me off.
JARED QUAY: There's plenty of young talent in baseball this year. And I heard you got to surprise a star in the making. Can you tell me a little bit about that?
FRANCISCO LINDOR: I was able to announce the prestigious award of being the Gatorade National Player-- Baseball Player of the Year to Brock Porter. His team is 42 and 0, which is incredible. Yeah, and they're on the way to the state championship right now.
He's 8 and 0 with a ERA 0.2, which is nuts. Over 100 strikeouts, not many walks. The kid is a stud, you know?
And to see him succeed that much, he deserved the award. And I can't wait for him to accomplish his goal right now of winning the state championship, then hopefully getting drafted, and then maybe one day I get to face him, or hopefully I don't really need to face him because he is on my team. That means our scouting department did their job and got a stud.
JARED QUAY: Well, thank you so much for rushing with me today, man. And keep up the great work on the field and off the field. Stay healthy. And let's let the Mets keep winning, baby. Let's go, man. Let's make it a special season.
FRANCISCO LINDOR: Yes, sir. Let's get it. [INAUDIBLE], brother. Take care.
JARED QUAY: Take care.
