Francisco Lindor continues to carve out an impressive legacy in baseball, and he did it again Sunday afternoon with a swing destined for the record books. In the Mets' clash against the Colorado Rockies, Lindor launched a solo home run that wasn't just a game-changer but a historic milestone.
This blast helped Lindor surpass legendary Yankee Derek Jeter in career home runs by a shortstop, propelling him to fourth all-time at that position. He now stands with 261 homers, only trailing the likes of Cal Ripken Jr.
(431), Miguel Tejada (307), and Hanley Ramirez (271).
The clutch hit came in the fifth inning off Rockies' southpaw Carson Palmquist. Lindor capitalized on a juicy 89 mph four-seamer, sending it flying into deep left field—a pitcher's nightmare turned fan's delight—as it brought the score to 4-3 in favor of the Mets. This wasn't Lindor's first rodeo against the Rockies in this series; it marked his third home run, with a memorable pair coming Friday night when he hit from both sides of the plate.
What makes Lindor's achievement even more astonishing is the speed at which he's climbing the ranks. He's reached this milestone in just 5,675 at-bats, a lightning pace compared to Jeter’s 11,195. With six more years on his contract, Lindor is set to continue rewriting the record books in Flushing, adding to his already glittering resume.
Since donning the Mets' blue and orange, Lindor has hit 123 of those home runs, complementing the 138 he belted during his early years in Cleveland. A four-time All-Star and Silver Slugger, coupled with two Gold Gloves and a Platinum Glove, Lindor's accolades speak volumes about his contribution to the game. Just last season, he finished second in the NL MVP race, a testament to his elite performance and the buzz around his every move.
Taking a glance at this season's performance, Lindor's hitting a robust .283/.356/.494, with 13 homers and 34 RBI, showcasing that his talents stretch beyond just power, highlighted by his 195 career stolen bases. His latest homer not only etched his name further into baseball lore but also moved him into 11th place on the Mets' all-time home run list, surpassing Kevin McReynolds.
Meanwhile, teammate Pete Alonso isn't far from making history himself, having notched his 237th career home run. With David Wright and Daryl Strawberry within reach, the Mets' offensive prowess is one to watch.
While Lindor’s leadership shines through his play, making him a prime candidate for the Mets' captaincy, fans of the orange and blue are already enjoying the ride, celebrating this new chapter in New York's baseball saga, where Francisco Lindor steps out of the shadows and into the limelight as a true all-time great.
