"Francisco Lindor was trying to be voice to the media" - Ex-Mets manager reveals advice given to 4x All-Star amid criticism after move from Cleveland

The 2024 campaign proved to be a surprisingly positive one for the New York Mets, as they reached the National League Championship Series, while Francisco Lindor, the franchise superstar, was the runner-up in MVP voting.

Former manager Buck Showalter recounted the time when the four-time All-Star received criticism for trying too hard to be the leader of the team, as he had signed a lucrative contract extension soon after being traded by the Cleveland Indians. Showalter said thata he asked Lindor to just focus on performing on the field and that the adulation from fans and teammates would soon follow.

Buck Showalter, who spent eight years as the Baltimore Orioles manager, shed light on his experience of managing Francisco Lindor during an interview with Ryan Ripken, son of Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. (40:55 - 42:51).

"When I first got there, Lindor, because of his contract and all the commitment, he was trying to be the voice to the media, the leader—the guy that gets on his teammates, the guy that went to every event," he said.

"I sat down with him (for) the first time in spring training. I said, "Linny, I need you to play shortstop; that's what I need you to do. We got all the other stuff; we'll take care of that. I want you to just go play shortstop. And you'll be surprised; that's how you win New York. Go play it,"" he added.

Cleveland had traded Lindor to New York just before Opening Day of the 2021 season, and he later signed a 10-year, $341 million extension with the team.

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"He just wants to be everything to everybody": Buck Showalter on Francisco Lindor

Francisco Lindor has won two Gold Gloves and four Silver Slugger awards. (Image Source: Imagn)

Francisco Lindor had a sluggish start to the 2024 season while the New York Mets looked well out of the playoffs race after the first couple of months. Yet, he ended the year on a .273/.344/.500 slash line, including 33 home runs and 91 RBIs, as the Mets sealed a postseason berth on the final day of the season.

"Early in the year, you remember, they were giving him grief," Buck Showalter said. "But Lindor cares. And he just wants to be everything to everybody."

Due to his slow start to the season, Lindor missed on the All-Star Game yet again. Nevertheless, he has produced more than 25 home runs, 90 RBIs, and 5.5 bWAR besides finishing in the top-10 of the NL MVP voting in the previous three years.