Francisco Lindor calls possibility of being named Mets captain ‘very humbling’

You can’t tell the story of the 2024 Mets without the contributions shortstop Francisco Lindor made to the team.

Not only did he have his best offensive season with the Mets, finishing second in NL MVP voting in the process, but what he did behind the scenes is well documented.

He worked with young infielders Brett Baty and Mark Vientos on their fielding in Puerto Rico the offseason before the 2024 season. And in late May, after being swept by the Dodgers in their three-game series at Citi Field, Lindor called a players-only meeting. He and a few players stepped up and spoke to the entire team about what they could do to turn their season around. The meeting was productive as the Mets would go on a run all the way to the NLCS.

As the Mets continue their spring training workout preparing for the upcoming 2025 season, Lindor was asked about his role on the team and if he sees himself as a “captain” of the team.

“I do feel like I’m one of the leaders of the team, but there are a lot of leaders in [the locker room],” Lindor told the media Saturday afternoon at Clover Park. “The captain thing is not up for me to decide. If it does happen, it would be fantastic, an honor and a privilege. Something I would never take for granted. Something that would put me next to the greats of this organization forever and It would be very humbling.”

There have only been four official Mets captains in franchise history: Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter, John Franco and David Wright. Wright was the most recent Mets captain, whose captaincy ran from 2013-18.

Now, there has been no word on whether that is something on the table but seven years later, and now another Mets infielder is seen as a great candidate for the title. But Lindor says that whether he’s named a captain or not, it won’t change how he approaches his game and his teammates.

“My job is not going to change. Just because I’m the captain doesn’t mean I’m going to do more. I’m still going to go out there and hold guys accountable,” he said. “I’m going to expect a lot out of myself too. I expect guys, if they see me doing something that’s not right to come up to me and tell me. To continue to lead, play the game the right way, show up, post up and do whatever we got to do to win.”

The Mets traded for Lindor during the 2021 offseason in what was the first blockbuster trade with Steve Cohen as majority owner. Cohen then signed Lindor to a 10-year deal just before Opening Day, signaling the commitment both sides have for each other.

Saturday, Lindor expressed what Cohen envisioned for the shortstop’s role in the organization when he was acquired. The Mets were coming off a dreadful 26-34 record in the shortened 2020 season, and Cohen wanted to turn things around quickly.

“When I first came to this organization and Steve and Alex brought me out here, part of my job description was to help this organization become one of the best ones out there,” Lindor explained. “And I have that in the very front of my mind. To make this organization one of the best out there, you have to win and also do things the right way.

“Be accountable, respect your peers, respect the game and you have to go out there every day and post up. Even if I’m hurt, you still have to show up and do things the right way and support your teammates. To win is not a one-man job.”

During Lindor’s Mets tenure, the team has had ups and downs, but 2024 was easily the high point — so far. And with expectations as high as they are going into this season, Lindor can only focus on delivering on the field for his team, and getting the best out of his teammates.

But if Lindor is given the title officially, be sure to let him know. He’ll be too busy getting ready for, hopefully, another magical run all while wearing his signature smile.

“If the captain thing is presented to me it would be a humbling experience but that’s not up to me. That’s something the front office gets to decide and I don’t know who else gets to decide on that. If you guys make the decision just let me know.”