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NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: METS VS DODGERS


October 15, 2024


Francisco Lindor


New York, New York, USA

Citi Field

New York Mets

Workout Day Press Conference


Q. In terms of the lead-off spot, philosophically, what sort of is your approach there; what are you trying to accomplish in that role?

FRANCISCO LINDOR: I want to gather as much information as I can, not only for myself but for the guys behind me, and then share that knowledge and let them do whatever they've got to do with it.

It could be information, it could be one pitch, or it could be 10 pitches.

Q. Just playing off of that, I think after your home run yesterday, you said something to Vientos. How important is that aspect of it, especially for the younger guys?

FRANCISCO LINDOR: It's very important. You guys are seeing it right there, but then they do it to me. There's a guy that I haven't faced because he comes in for the middle of the lineup. They'll come up to me and tell me the same thing, whether it's how the ball's moving, what we see or don't see, and how should we -- if the conversation that we had about the attack plan, isn't going to work.

There's so many different variables, whether it's sun, shadows. There's a lot, a lot of different variables that studying in film might not tell you what it's going to be like in the moment.

Q. What did you think of not being selected as a Gold Glove finalist?

FRANCISCO LINDOR: I thought that it's -- let me see how I can put this one -- that I had a good defensive year, but I guess there's other players that had a better defensive year than me.

And then that was it. At the end of the day, I'm trying to win a World Series. I'm trying to make it to the World Series and then win it. And I guess hopefully next year I get a chance at it again.

Q. That's what Mendy thought you would say.

FRANCISCO LINDOR: He's right. He knows his players.

Q. Francisco, as a guy who's done some hitting third, hit second in your career as well as a lot of lead-off, how do you look at the benefits that you can offer out of the lead-off spot, in terms of getting your team started and getting extra at-bats versus maybe the ability to do a bit more damage second, third, with more runners on base and maybe drive in more runs there?

FRANCISCO LINDOR: My approach doesn't really change hitting first, second, third, fourth, wherever in the lineup. Just because I'm leading off doesn't mean I'll go slap the ball the other way or bunt more or take more pitches.

Just because I'm hitting third doesn't mean that I'm going to pull the ball more or hit more home runs.

I am who I am, and I just take the same approach whatever spot in the lineup wherever I get put on.

With that being said, there is a little bit more of a responsibility when you are leading off of you have to share a little bit more information because you are the first person that's facing the starter that day.

And then it was the same thing with the stolen bases. Last year when they say, oh, there's a different rule now; you're going to run more, I'm probably taking the same amount of chances I've taken my whole career.

I think my game is not really going to change that much. I just love getting things started. I think it's kind of cool to be able to get base hit, steal a base or a home run or double. And you just get the crowd and team going.

Q. Do you prefer lead-off to --

FRANCISCO LINDOR: As of right now, I do prefer it today. Next year I might come in and say -- you might ask me the same question -- I might be hitting second. I'll say, oh, I'll prepare today for second." Whatever the team needs.

Q. We've seen a number of elite players that come to the playoffs and have a hard time performing, for whatever reason it might be. When you first hit the playoffs you've done well ever since. Can you acknowledge it's not the same game as the regular season, that it takes a bit of a mental adjustment to be able to perform in October?

FRANCISCO LINDOR: Yeah, I can acknowledge it. It is the same game, there is more pressure. There's more at stake, I guess, that's kind of what I'm trying to figure out how to say.

With that being said, every pitch matters a little bit more. Each swing matters a little more. Every at-bat could decide whether you're going to play a game tomorrow or not.

Yes, you study a little bit more in depth. You prepare a little bit different.

I guess the same thing with the pitchers; they go through lineups and they say, this guy can't beat you; this guy, he will beat you if you throw him here -- however they want to navigate the lineups. And there's different strategies that pitchers have throughout the regular year and the postseason.

I've been fortunate enough to have a lot of good hitters around me and coaches as well. So I think that the success that I've had, it goes to them. It goes to the people around me and the people helping me prepare on a daily basis. I thank the Lord for helping me be able to contribute in the postseason.

There's a lot of pressure. And that pressure is a blessing in a way, you know, because I've sat home this time of year. And it sucks. So to be in this position, I think it's fantastic, it's fabulous.

And being able to focus and study a little bit more and come in and be ready to perform, it's cool. With that being said, it's one of those where not every day you're going to have a great game. You just gotta have the mentality of the guy behind you can also get it done. And they're really good hitters as well.

Q. When Ohtani was in here he was asked about you and he mentioned you seem like a good guy and you smile a lot. But I also said he does feel some sort of connection with you in the way that you both are trying to really lead your team to a World Series and a world championship. You've played against him plenty, but aside from the obvious incredible talent and what he can do, what are the things that you see in his game that, player to player, that you admire or that you noticed?

FRANCISCO LINDOR: I admire his shoes. He's got cool cleats. (Laughter).

I admire the ability to stay within himself. I mean, he's a guy that, from day one, has had a lot of pressure on him.

There's been a lot of eyes and cameras on him, and his ability to stay within himself and to not get too big and to stay the course, that, to me, that's brilliant. He's done a fantastic job of everywhere he's gone, he has managed to maneuver himself the right way.

He plays the game the right way. I respect that. I feel like he respects his peers, whether they wear the same uniform, or the other uniform, and it's been fun to watch him come into the league and become as good as he has.

Q. For a good hitter like yourself, what's the one thing, or the most important thing you've learned about hitting from J.D. Martinez, if anything?

FRANCISCO LINDOR: J.D. has helped me a lot. But if there's one thing that I can take from him is that there's principles to hitting. And I've learned to look at my swing a little bit more, because, like you said, there's principles to hitting and there's things that you have to check. If they're correct, you should be hitting.

I appreciate the way he's gone about it all this year. He's been one of the best hitters in this decade, and he's extremely knowledgeable. So I respect him a lot, and yeah, he's got a lot of things when it comes to hitting, a lot of drills. He's fantastic.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

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