The Mets last appeared in the postseason last year, but they have been oddly absent from one of baseball’s grandest stages, the All-Star Game starting lineup. Since Yoenis Cespedes in 2016, no Mets player had been voted in by the fans as a starter. But that streak is finally over. And guess what, it has been ended by Francisco Lindor.
As he was named the NL’s starting shortstop for the 2025 All-Star Game, Lindor joined an exclusive club. He became just the third Met ever to start at short in the Midsummer Classic, alongside Buddy Harrelson (1971) and Jose Reyes (2007). Moreover, it’s Lindor’s first fan-voted selection since arriving in Queens, and his first start for the NL.
True to his character, Lindor didn’t make the moment all about himself. Instead, he gave the credits where its due. “This is on you guys. You guys make me an All-Star, and I try to put up a good show here. You guys make me an All-Star, so much love, much respect, my teammates helping a lot of my coaches as well. We’re going to Elana, we got an All-Star, so we did it. Thank you. Much love, guys. I love you guys,” he said while talking to Fox.
“Much love guys. I love you guys!”
Francisco Lindor thanks Mets fans for voting him into the All-Star Game in his postgame interview with @SteveGelbs: pic.twitter.com/Y3jdElPO0a
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 3, 2025
Well, Lindor deserves the selection considering his strong season this year for the Mets. Currently, he is sitting with 17 HRs and 46 RBIs as the team’s leadoff hitter. And now, he’s finally getting some well-deserved recognition, edging out Mookie Betts for the starting shortstop spot in the All-Star Game.
It’s a big moment for Lindor, given how long he’s been overlooked. For instance, he didn’t even make the All-Star roster last year, not as a starter anyway, but not even as a reserve. While he responded with an incredible second half and ended up finishing as the NL MVP runner-up, it was too late for an All-Star break.
So yeah, this All-Star selection feels like it’s been a long time coming, and fans clearly agree. But, wait there’s more…
On the same day Lindor was named an All-Star starter for the first time, the Mets made a surprising move. They took him out of the leadoff spot. And it worked right away. After 191 straight games leading off, Lindor hit second as the designated hitter in Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Brewers. And he delivered in a big way, launching his 17th homer, then adding a clutch RBI single in the sixth and a two-out RBI double in the eighth. The Mets also snapped their four-game losing streak with a 7-3 win, and Lindor was right in the thick of it all.
But more than the All-Star recognition, a bigger challenge awaits Lindor. And he seems to be on track.
Lindor has a few unfinished business for the Mets
The Mets have been making it to the postseason occasionally. But when it comes to the highest and biggest achievement, the team falters.
It was in 1986 last that the Mets won a World Series. This year, it doesn’t look like they are having a seamless journey. With a 49-38 record, they recently slipped to second place in the NL East behind the Phillies. But, with a payroll skyrocketing over other teams and names like Lindor, Juan Soto, and Pete Alonso in the clubhouse, redemption might be on the cards.
For the unversed, Lindor is playing this season with his fractured toe, and that’s one of the major reasons why he was leading off. He knows how much the team needs him, especially in the postseason. So, he politely declined to star in the upcoming Home Run Derby, citing his physical constraints.
“I have a broken toe, I don’t think it would be smart to swing as hard as I can. But one day I will definitely do it. I think it would be cool, just for the experience,” Lindor said about his participation in the 2025 Home Run Derby.
The Mets are still in the race to clinch a playoff berth. This year might be the biggest chance for them to go for the ring and if they’re to do it, Lindor has to lead from the front.
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