Francisco Lindor used Mets fans booing as fuel for grand slam
Francisco Lindor has struggled this season, and Mets fans aren’t shy about letting him know how they feel.
Things were great in Mets nation when they traded for four-time All-Star Francisco Lindor this past offseason. Not long after, New York and Lindor agreed to a 10-year, $341 million extension, making him the highest paid shortstop in baseball.
Locking up one of the best infielders in the game through 2032 is great news for the Mets right? Wrong, depending on which fans you ask.
Lindor has struggled this season, slashing .221/.320/.686 with 10 home runs and 34 RBIs in 349 plate appearances. The woes have resulted in some fans booing Lindor during home games at Citi Field.
The 27-year-old was able to silence his critics for one at-bat with a grand slam on Friday in a matchup against the Pirates.
HOW'S THAT FOR OFFENSE???
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 10, 2021
FRANCISCO LINDOR WITH THE METS' FIRST GRAND SLAM OF THE SEASON AND THE METS HAVE PUT UP 10 RUNS IN THE 6TH! pic.twitter.com/pyPA10MOpl
In his postgame press conference, Lindor admitted it’s no fun being booed at his home ballpark.
"It sucks to be booed" -- Francisco Lindor says. He said he listened after his grand slam to hear if anyone wanted to boo him. Odd thing to say after a 13-4 win. But he added that it was cool to hear cheers.
— Anthony Rieber (@AnthonyRieber) July 10, 2021
At what point some of these Mets-Lindor critics ease off a bit remains to be seen. Even after his grand slam, plenty of angry Mets fans took to Twitter to share how unimpressed they still are. The thread to his grand slam highlight shows those responses.
Mets fans are unimpressed with Francisco Lindor
Despite Lindor’s struggles this season, New York sits atop the NL East with a 4.5 game lead over the second-place Braves. Winning the division looks like a must for New York to make the playoffs this season given the strength of the NL West.
It’d be foolish to think Lindor won’t need to step up at some point to help New York win games. He’s shown his abilities to carry his team at times when he was in Cleveland, and New York doesn’t exactly have the greatest offense to make one believe they can make a World Series run without Lindor.
The Mets have scored the second-fewest runs in the majors, and they have the sixth-lowest team batting average (.230) this season.
Booing the player they desperately need to turn it around? Doesn’t make much sense, but to each their own.
dark. Next. Cubs are scouting these 2 Mets prospects