Tom Brennan: Lindor Great, Still Criticized. What Don’t Critics Get?

  

Gold glove defense, 30 HRs, 30 steals, 30 doubles, over 100 runs scored, 98 RBIs.

On a scale of 1-10? Let me rate him.

A “30”.

Yet, some fans of the same franchise that gave us punchless Buddy Harrelson for a decade, who is remembered ever so fondly, criticize Lindor. You may remember Bud Harrelson. He had more than 34 RBIs once (with a jaw-dropping 42). Lindor has 10% more RBIs as a Met than Buddy produced as a Met, in just 38% of the number of plate appearances Harrelson had as a Met.

How does the fan criticism happen?

1) He struggled much of his first Mets year in 2021, as foolish fans relentlessly booed him. PRESSURE. And those fans looked at all that money going to him and sensed disaster. Perhaps a boatload of envy, too.

2) Many fans don’t like to be told or admit that they are wrong, so when one points out his wonderful Mets’ achievements, they are quick to counter with something like “stars don’t hit .240”. They were down on him before, and can’t mentally pivot. They “own” their negative view, and even embrace it.

3) But he is hitting .243 at Citifield in his career, but .265 away from Citi as a Met. Once again, the park that silently steals a hit here and a hit there make a player’s stats look worse than they should. If he was hitting .265 in his whole Mets career, and not .254, the complaints would get muted.

4) Pete is the other mighty stanchion of the Mets’ offense. This year, Pete continued his trend of hitting worse at home, too…20 points less at home, OBP 20 points lower, slug % 50 points lower.  If Pete and Lindor simply hit as well at home as on the road, fans would see more success from the duo, and only the most obdurate would keep criticizing. Pete and Francisco did not build the park, just in case you thought otherwise.

5) The team got inched out of the division title in 2022, and collapsed in 2023. Stars get more blame, even when there are 20 other players who deserve more blame, and in some cases, much more blame.

6) It is harder to play here, more pressure. Pressure negatively impacts performance. Jake Brown of the NY Post spoke to Mark Canha recently, and Mark said 3 particularly notable things: 

“TRADE TO BREWERS: Mark loves it in Milwaukee. It felt lighter going to Brewers. More relaxed and light-hearted on a team going to playoffs.” 

“COMING FROM NY: Last year was gravy for most of year, but when the Mets were not good this year you feel how much heavier it is playing in NYC.” 

 “PETE ALONSO: Loved playing with him and he loves playing for the Mets. He’s an amazing human and an amazing baseball player.” 

That is all so telling.

So, if this is you, critic of Lindor (and of Pete), lighten up. Even, may I humbly suggest, shut up. Put a cork in it.

P.S. Lindor had chips removed from his elbow surgically - and he still had a season like that. Wow.

After all, picture how poorly this team would be doing if prime-time Bud Harrelson and Eddie Kranepool were your current SS and 1B.  My guess? 100 losses, easy. Eddie produced RBIs at half the rate of Pete. Over time, that adds up.

Count your blessings, name them one by one.

JAKE:

The Texas Rangers had Jake deGrom ever so briefly in 2023, before their brittle ace went down for the season. Problem? Nope.  

Texas just swept the 100 win Orioles to advance to the ALCS. 

Who needs an ace, anyway?

GLENDALE BLUES: 

16-1 loss? Seems the 2-7 team the Mets’ players are playing for is awful. 

Glendale has scored just 22 runs in 9 games, while in 9 games, Peoria has scored 92. Minor difference.

The 2nd worst scoring team besides Glendale has scored more than twice as many as Glendale, with 45 in 9 games. Yikes. 

Is it the park? No. Glendale last year was the highest scoring AZ team.