Mets fans are keen on supporting Francisco Lindor after a slow start to the 2024 season, and they showed it by giving their All-Star shortstop a standing ovation on Friday night at Citi Field.
As Lindor stepped into the batter’s box to take his first at-bat, the shortstop was showered with cheers and claps.
Lindor originally stepped in but stepped back out with a smile to take it in for a moment.
Perhaps the crowd heeded owner Steve Cohen’s endorsement of the idea last weekend, who pointed to how the Philadelphia fans stood behind Trea Turner last season when he was struggling.
“I was not expecting that at all,” Lindor said. “It felt good to be able to come home and feel the love of the fans whether I’m playing well or bad. Fills my heart, for sure, to show some love for not just me but my teammates as well. …I will always play as hard as I can and do whatever it takes to help this team win.”
Lindor almost gave back to the Citi Field faithful with a first-pitch bomb that just went foul. He would fly out later in the at-bat.
The gesture comes as the shortstop is having one of the slowest starts of his career. Entering Friday, Lindor is hitting just 5-for-59 (.098) with a .203 OBP and .176 slugging percentage.
The start has led Lindor and his family to endure abuse over social media from “fans.”
It’s too soon to see if Friday’s ovation will have the same effect as Turner’s in 2023, but showing Lindor appreciation after so many good seasons in Flushing should go a long way.
“I’m a better player when my heart is in a happy place,” Lindor said. “Feeling the love it filled my heart. Trying to bring energy dayin and day out.”
Source Agencies
