Why Mets' Francisco Lindor isn't fully enjoying walk-off celebrations

As shared by Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post, Lindor admitted over the weekend that he can't help but think of the injury All-Star closer Edwin Diaz suffered during the World Baseball Classic whenever teammates stream out of the dugout seconds after a dramatic win. 

"Those two times we’ve walked off, it’s crept into my head," Lindor revealed. "It’s a natural reaction: You celebrate. You hug people. You jump." 

Lindor and Diaz were celebrating a Puerto Rico win over the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic this past March when the fire-balling right-hander went down with what was referred to as a "freak" right patellar tendon tear that left him needing surgery. Diaz is expected to miss most, if not all, of the MLB season while recovering. 

Lindor couldn't hide his excitement but also attempted to remain grounded after he delivered a walk-off single on Friday night against the Cleveland Guardians, his club from 2015 through the 2020 season. 

"Everyone’s going to celebrate different," Lindor said. "Celebrations happen organically. At some point, I will jump. If we win the World Series, we do cool things, at some point, I will jump." 

Lindor did not join teammates who left their feet while celebrating his heroics at Citi Field on Friday night. That was not by accident. 

"I learned my lesson," Lindor said while recalling the Diaz incident. The four-time All-Star selection did not witness Diaz fall to the ground that fateful day but has seemingly re-lived the moment many times over the past couple of months. 

"I turned around, and he was on the ground," Lindor said of Diaz. "I’ve seen the video a lot of times. I was there. I cried. I was devastated. I learned." 

It's worth noting Diaz's injury is a one-off that could've happened at any moment such as the 29-year-old jogging from the bullpen to enter a game in the ninth inning. Seemingly every NFL season, at least one player suffers a torn ACL simply by planting his foot. 

If nothing else, Lindor deserves a little credit for behaving like a true leader in attempting to dodge what he would deem to be an avoidable physical setback. Meanwhile, the 25-23 Mets entered Monday evening trailing the first-place Atlanta Braves by five games in the National League East standings.  

New York next opens a three-game series at the Chicago Cubs (20-26) on Tuesday night.