In a tense and hard-fought Game 4 of the NLDS, the New York Mets powered past the Philadelphia Phillies, securing a spot in the National League Championship Series.
At times you could sense the nerves inside Citi Field as the Mets squandered multiple bases-loaded opportunities. There was a feeling among some fans of “here we go again.”
There’s a Murphy’s Law cloud that has hovered over the Mets organization for decades now. However, what’s become clear over these past several weeks is there’s something clearly different about the 2024 Mets.
Enter Francisco Lindor…
There’s a strong case to be made that Lindor deserves to win the NL MVP. Although he’ll probably lose out to Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, many view Lindor as the true most “valuable” player in the league.
He sure delivered like an MVP last night as he blasted the biggest home run in Citi Field history.
The clutch sixth inning grand slam gave the Mets a 4-1 lead and proved to be the difference in the game.
After the Mets loaded the bases thanks to a bizarre wild pitching sequence by Phillies reliever Jeff Hoffman, Carlos Estévez was called to the mound.
Lindor stepped up and, with one powerful swing, sent a towering grand slam into the stands, electrifying the crazed crowd and all but ending the Phillies season in that very moment.
Needless to say, the reaction on social media was exactly what you would expect…
“Witnessing the Lindor grand slam in person was f*cking magical, I’ll never forget this night as a Mets fan…LFGM!!!!”
“Wanna take this opp to congratulate the Mets on advancing. But more importantly, shout out to Francisco Lindor! Not only an MVP type season and series clinching grand slam, but the grace and class upon doing so was refreshing. Been a big fan from afar for a long time. Big time player!” -Chipper Jones
“It really is fascinating to see Lindor have COMPLETELY different reactions to both home runs. Absolutely stoic lately … 12 is absolutely LOCKED in right now. Man on a mission stuff. I am so happy he’s ours.”
“The fact that Francisco Lindor has hit some of the biggest home runs in Mets history and hasn’t even cracked a smile on any of them. The man is a stone cold killer.”
“No bat flip, no chest-pounding, no five-second stare-job; Francisco Lindor hits one of the biggest home runs in franchise history and runs the bases like he’s done it a thousand times. The Mets are NLCS-bound.”
“I can’t believe I got to be at that Mets game last night at Citi Field. It was especially meaningful seeing the game with parents – particularly my Dad, a Queens-born-and-raised OG fan who still keeps score by hand at every game we attend … Lindor for President.”
The victory was extra-sweet because it sent the hated Phillies home where they will spend the long, cold offseason licking their wounds after another disastrous playoff exit.
The humble Lindor claimed he was just trying to keep the train moving on the bases and wasn’t looking to do too much in the moment.
“I was just trying to do what the other boys did,” he said. “I was trying to do what the other boys did, which is get on base.”
Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns knew better: “I don’t know that there’s another player in baseball you want playing right now in that situation,” he said. “Everyone in the ballpark seemingly knew it was going to happen. As soon as he made contact, this place exploded.”
Manager Carlos Mendoza, who’s become one of the best stories in baseball, explained the jolt of energy the grand slam provided.
“I don’t know how to describe it because there was a lot going through my mind, the feeling, the whole dugout, guys jumping up and down,” he said. “And just because it was hard for us, you know? It was hard for us the whole year.
“And then today, a perfect example, got runners on and we couldn’t come up with a big hit until finally, who else? The MVP. I keep saying you could write a book. You could make a movie because this is it right here.”
Mets third baseman Mark Vientos spoke of the outstanding example that Lindor has set all year long with his leadership and work-ethic.
“I watched the way he went about his business. You’re talking about a $300 million player and he’s working like he’s trying to make it to the big leagues,” he said. “When I saw that, I was like, ‘Wow, I gotta keep going.’ He just makes everyone around him better.”
Knowing the amount of work that Lindor has put into the season, Vientos wasn’t surprised in the least bit with what he witnessed.
“I wasn’t surprised,” he said. “I was honestly saying before the game, I was like, ‘Hey, he’s going to do something special today.’”
Again, there’s just something different about these 2024 Mets.
They await the winner of the Dodgers-Padres series which is heading back to Los Angeles for a decisive Game 5.
What are your thoughts on the amazing run the Mets are on? … Not to get ahead of ourselves, but are we looking at another Subway World Series???