May 20, 2024, 10:19 pm Eastern Time
CLEVELAND — Three years later, Francisco Lindor finally returned home.
Returning to Progressive Field as a visitor for the first time Monday, Lindor’s mind quickly filled with memories of spraying champagne and a painful night in which a World Series title slipped away.
Lindor was back where he began his playing career, returning to Cleveland as a member of the New York Mets, who acquired the All-Star shortstop in a blockbuster trade after the 2020 season.
Flashing his familiar smile, Lindor really seemed to enjoy his return.
Featured
2 Related
“I missed it,” he said before the game while standing in a hallway outside the New York clubhouse. “This was my home for a while and it feels great to be here. For sure.”
Before beginning batting practice, Lindor warmly greeted his former teammate Carlos Carrasco, who was traded to the Mets with him, as well as team radio announcer Tom Hamilton and Guardians star third baseman José Ramírez .
Lindor received a nice ovation, punctuated by some boos, before leading off the first, gesturing toward the Guardians dugout before digging in and striking out against Ben Lively.
He went 0-for-4 on the sniff as New York fell 3-1, the Mets’ eighth loss in 11 games.
While he didn’t do anything notable at the plate, Lindor made a dazzling play in the eighth. Advancing to his right, Lindor made a backhand stop on the hole and hit a jumper to reach Tyler Freeman, who was initially ruled safe.
The Mets challenged, overturned the call on replay, and Lindor took a bow on the field.
The Mets recently moved the 30-year-old Lindor, who hit just .197, to the No. 1 spot in hopes of getting him going.
Francisco Lindor spent six seasons with Cleveland, going from a high-profile prospect to one of the best players in baseball. But his unwillingness to sign a long-term extension forced the team to trade him before he became a free agent. Jason Miller//Keynote USA/Getty Images
Lindor wasn’t sure what kind of reception he would get.
“I have nothing but love for them, so I’ll give them my love,” he said. “I’ll give them a great show this week.”
Lindor spent six seasons with Cleveland, going from a high-profile prospect to one of the best players in baseball.
With him playing Gold Glove-level defense at short, anchoring his lineup and seeming to come up with the big play whenever his team needed it, the Guardians, known as the Indians when he played here, were a perennial contender.
He was the undisputed face of the franchise. Leader. Lindor never thought he would leave Cleveland.
But his unwillingness to sign a long-term contract extension forced the team to trade him before he became a free agent.
“100 percent,” Lindor said when asked if he expected to play his entire career in Cleveland. “I loved it. It was just a matter of us coming up with a good (salary) number. But it’s a business and I completely understand their decision, and I’m happy they sent me to New York.”
But Lindor’s time in the Big Apple has not been as expected.
“Winning. There’s nothing better than winning. I know we didn’t achieve the ultimate goal. We didn’t close it, but just the experiences of winning and pouring champagne for each other and creating memories that way with teammates, their families, our entire family home office.” Mets’ Francisco Lindor talks about what he missed most about Cleveland
While he has posted respectable offensive statistics (31 home runs last season, 107 RBI in 2022), those have not translated into team success. The Mets won just 75 games last year and have played just one postseason game since he arrived.
Lindor seemed to criticize himself and the Mets when asked what he missed most about Cleveland.
“Win,” he said. “There’s nothing better than winning. I know we didn’t achieve the ultimate goal. We didn’t close it, but just the experiences of winning and pouring champagne for each other and creating memories that way with teammates, their families, our whole community.” main office of the whole family.
“It was a great experience and seeing the crowd, how they supported us with the rally towels and when everything was red and everything was white, it was great.”
Cleveland came very close to winning it all in 2016, but lost an unforgettable Game 7 to the Chicago Cubs, who ended their 108-year title drought.
That still hurts Lindor, who hasn’t gotten rid of the memory.
“A lot,” he said when asked how often he thinks about 2016. “Walking down this hallway, actually right around where I’m standing now, was where all of their families and players were celebrating.
“I think about it a lot. Probably until I win one or maybe after, I still think about it. I think it’s just part of the journey.”
Keynote USA
For the Latest Sports News, Follow @Keynote USA Sports on Twitter.