In a weekend that will be remembered fondly by Mets fans, Francisco Lindor added another highlight to his burgeoning Hall of Fame career. His solo blast against the Colorado Rockies nudged him past Derek Jeter for career home runs by a shortstop, placing Lindor fourth on the all-time list at the position with 261 dingers. He now eyes legends like Cal Ripken Jr., Miguel Tejada, and Hanley Ramirez, who sit ahead of him in the record books.
Lindor’s home run heroics came in the fifth inning off left-hander Carson Palmquist, who delivered a four-seam fastball that Lindor promptly deposited into deep left field, turning the scoreboard to favor the Mets 4-3. This particular homer marked his third in the series against Colorado, showcasing his switch-hitting prowess with earlier shots from both sides of the plate.
What’s remarkable about Lindor’s ascent in the home run ranks is the efficiency with which he’s done it—achieving this milestone in just 5,675 at-bats, a stark contrast to the 11,195 at-bats required by Jeter. With six more years on his Mets contract, Lindor is poised to continue rewriting the record books, delighting fans along the way.
Lindor’s career path from Cleveland, where he launched 138 homers, to New York, responsible for another 123, underscores his continual evolution as a premier shortstop. His resume is already brimming with accolades: four-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, as well as two Gold Gloves and a Platinum Glove. Just last season, he was the runner-up in the NL MVP race behind Shohei Ohtani, exemplifying his all-around brilliance.
The slugging shortstop is not just known for his power. With a career batting average of .275 and 195 stolen bases, Lindor is the embodiment of a five-tool player. This season, his numbers remain impressive, posting a .283/.356/.494 slash line with 13 home runs and 34 RBI. His recent home run also moved him up the Mets’ all-time list, surpassing Kevin McReynolds and closing in on the greats of the franchise like Pete Alonso, David Wright, and Daryl Strawberry.
While fans speculate on when Lindor will be officially crowned as the Mets’ captain, his on-field performance speaks volumes. For now, Mets Nation basks in the glory of witnessing one of their own surpass ‘The Captain’ of New York’s past, heralding a new era of leadership and excellence at Citi Field.
