New York Mets' Lindor Slams Philadelphia Phillies Out Of Playoffs

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ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 30: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets celebrates making it to ... [+] playoffs in the locker room after the game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Monday, September 30, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

In the early evening October 9, New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor hit a grand slam home run to send the Philadelphia Phillies to the playoff sidelines earlier than Philadelphia had hoped.

The Mets won game 4 by a score of XXX

Behind Lindor’s massive homer at Citi Field in New York, the Mets won the National League Division Series, 3-1.

The Cleveland Indians felt they had someone special when they drafted Lindor No. 8 overall in the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.

The Indians felt Lindor had that “certain something” that translated to “future star.”

Now, his star status has been enhanced by his tremendous 2024 season, and postseason with the Mets.

The Indians gave Lindor a $2.9 million signing bonus.

Lindor, who was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, but he and his family moved to Central Florida when Lindor was 12-years-old.

Lindor was selected out of Monteverde Academy prep school in the greater Orlando area.

Signing Lindor kept him away from his full baseball scholarship at Florida State University.

Lindor made his major league debut June 14, 2015, at the age of 21.

Lindor was runner-up to Houston’s Carlos Correa for the 2015 Rookie of the Year Award.

During parts of six seasons with Cleveland, Lindor became a four-time All Star shortstop with the Indians, making the team from 2016-2019.

In addition to his consequential bat, Lindor won two America League Gold Gloves, in 2016, and 2019.

It has been reported the Indians made several attempts to sign Lindor to a long-term Cleveland contract.

When they were unable to extend Lindor, the Indians traded him during his last season prior to becoming a free agent.

Lindor was traded to the New York Mets, along with popular Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco for young Mets middle-infielders, Andres Gimenez, and Amed Rosario, pitcher Josh Wolf, and outfielder Isaiah Greene.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 19: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets celebrates after he drove in ... [+] the game winning run in the 10th inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Citi Field on May 19, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Players and coaches are wearing special hats, socks and protective gear in honor of Armed Services Day. The New York Mets defeated the Cleveland Guardians 10-9 in 10 innings. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

On March 31, 2021, Lindor signed a ten-year, $341 million contract extension with the Mets.

After assuming ownership of the Mets, Lindor was the first major contract signing for new owner, Steve Cohen.

Lindor’s contract remains the biggest contract in Mets history.

Lindor, now 30, has completed four seasons with the Mets.

By far, this past year was Lindor’s best with New York.

Lindor suffers from back severe back pain, which has been troubling enough for him to miss playing time.

Lindor still does hours of daily training work and exercises to strengthen his back, which makes his accomplishments even more impressive.

Here are Lindor’s offensive statistics for this season:

2024=689 plate appearances, 107 runs, 39 doubles, one triple, 29 homers, 91 RBI, 29 stolen bases in 33 attempts, with a .273 batting average, and .344 on-base percentage.

This year, Lindor had a .500 slugging percentage, his best since 2019 with Cleveland, when he registered a slugging percentage of .518 in 654 plate appearances.

There are critics and analysts who believe that if not for Shohei Ohtani, Lindor would be the National League Most Valuable Player.

Without question, Lindor has been consistently providing consequential offense to the Mets.

And Lindor remains an outstanding defensive shortstop.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets looks up as he returns to ... [+] the dugout after hitting a two-run home run to win the game in the ninth inning of game one of a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on September 30, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

To make the postseason, the Mets were in a must-win situation at the end of the regular season.

Due to pending hurricane Helene in the final week of the regular season, two Mets games scheduled for play in Atlanta were postponed.

The games were re-scheduled as a double-header Monday, September 30.

With the Mets trailing 7-6 in the top of the ninth inning of game one, Lindor hit what came to be a game winning, two-run homer.

That shot put the Mets in the postseason.

Then Lindor hit his game winning grand slam blast to end the season of the Phillies.

Lindor is now in his third playoff series with the Mets.

He appeared in the 2022 National League Wild Card, which the Mets lost to the San Diego Padres.

Lindor appeared in this year’s National League Wild Card, which the Mets won in three games from the Milwaukee Brewers.

Now, Lindor’a booming homers have helped his Mets team move on to the National League Championship Series.

Lindor is now a postseason hero.

The Mets, and Francisco Lindor are moving on in October.

The Cleveland Indians were correct to project stardom for Francisco Lindor when they drafted him out of high school in 2011.