Francisco Lindor cares more about winning World Series than setting Mets records
The New York Mets needed Thursday night in a bad way.
Slugger Pete Alonso and the first-place Mets were visibly frustrated on and off the field during the three-game home sweep at the hands of the lowly Chicago Cubs, which began Friday at 61-82. Alonso and company took their frustrations out on the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field on Thursday, crushing the 55-89 Buccos to the tune of 7-1.
In the bottom of the third inning of the contest, Mets star shortstop Francisco Lindor belted a two-run home run to the second deck of right field.
As Andrew Tredinnick pointed out for NorthJersey.com, that was Lindor's 24th home run of the season, a blast that saw him break the franchise's single-season record for most homers by a shortstop previously held by Asdrubal Cabrera (2018). In the process, Lindor also reached a new personal best of 94 RBI for a campaign.
While Lindor is pleased to make some Mets history, he made it clear following the game he has his eyes fixed on a much bigger prize.
"It’s a blessing, it’s an honor to be in elite company, but I play the game to win and I want to win," the four-time All-Star said. "We’re doing that right now. I think it’ll mean a lot more to win the World Series than to be the all-time leading shortstop in home runs."
There's a reason such words may sound familiar. Before Lindor broke the record previously held by Jose Reyes for most single-season RBI collected by a Mets shortstop, the 28-year-old spoke with reporters last month about remaining focused on the task at hand.
"It's a blessing whenever you can do something cool. To be next to Reyes, someone I grew up watching, it’s great, but I’m here to try to win a World Series," Lindor said at that time. "That’s all I have in mind. Along the way, things like this are gonna happen, and I thank the good lord for it."
The 90-55 Mets head into Friday's matchup against the Pirates holding a slight one-game lead over the second-place Atlanta Braves in the National League East standings.
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