Francisco Lindor will not be affected by anything.
The Mets’ star shortstop likely won’t be bothered by the flood of criticism he often receives, sometimes unfairly.
The Mets’ highest-paid player isn’t going to be disheartened by the lack of recognition.
The Mets’ leader is unlikely to change his mentality in the face of adversity.
Lindor’s drive comes from within.
He continued his hot form by giving the Mets some breathing room with a three-run homer in the eighth inning of their 7-3 win over the Rockies on Saturday afternoon at Citi Field.
“That’s a good question. I always ask myself the same thing,” manager Carlos Mendoza said about Lindor’s lack of recent praise. “I don’t think people appreciate or recognize what he brings to baseball and what he means to this team. Great player. He’s been at it for a long time.
“Just joy, passion, compassion and a drive to keep improving. He never stops. He’s always looking for ways to get better.”
Lindor, 30, was notable last week for not being selected to the All-Star team.
Unless Lindor or another Mets player takes his place, Pete Alonso will be the sole Mets representative at the Midsummer Classic.
A notoriously slow starter, Lindor struggled through the start of the season and into April, seeing his batting average drop to .190.
But he picked it up in May and has been on a roll since June.
Manager Mendoza placed Lindor in the leadoff hitter position on May 18th, and Lindor has been performing well.
Entering Saturday, Lindor had played in 49 games at the leadoff position and was batting .296/.366/.517 with an OPS of .883, going one hit and two walks in three at-bats Saturday.
This season, he is batting .250/.324/.453 with a .777 OPS, 17 home runs and 51 RBIs.
In his four seasons with the Mets, Lindor has yet to be selected as an All-Star.
The 2023 Silver Slugger Award will be his only honor with the team.
“I don’t need any more motivation,” Lindor said. “Motivation for me is what I try to find when I don’t really want to do something. I have the discipline to go out there every day, do what I have to do and focus on the work I do every day. If people want to recognize me, that’s great. If they don’t want to recognize me, that’s fine.”
The Mets cut a 4-0 lead to 4-3 on Saturday before extending their lead to 7-3 on a Lindor home run.
The shot off Lindor’s bat was clocked at 106.9 mph and traveled 420 feet to center field.
“He’s a special player and a special person,” Mendoza said. “I’m excited to watch him play shortstop every day for the New York Mets.”
