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Fans chanted M-V-P when Francisco Lindor came to bat with the Mets down a run, the bases juiced and one out in the sixth. The Citi Field faithful was thinking partly with its heart, and partly with the vast knowledge about how much this guy means to the Mets. In a word: Everything. As if spearheading a second comeback and clinching the playoffs at hated Atlanta for a team that was supposed be in a transitional phase wasnt enough, Lindor encore heroics were like from a movie. With the crowd chanting and Lindor badly needing any kind of hit after five innings of Mets offensive frustration, he to beat the almost-as-hated Phillies and send the Mets to the National League Championship Series that everyone figured theyd be watching at home. Phillies star reliever Carlos Estevez was acquired for just this occasion and inserted specifically to turn around Lindor to his allegedly weaker lefty side. Instead, Lindor turned around Estevezs 99.4 mph misplaced 2-and-1 fastball, sending it over the wall in right-center and ultimately giving the Mets a of their crazy season. Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor celebrates in the clubhouse after the New York Mets defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 to advance to the NLCS. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Of course. Why not? He just comes through again and again and again, Mets owner Steve Cohen crowed in the champagne-drenched clubhouse. Lets keep it going. This team doesnt want to stop. And Lindor, always the MVP of this team at least, isnt about to let them. Citi Field fans, whove been staging a two-day party while watching this team progre s before their very eyes, increased the volume while Lindor calmly circled the bases. His tranquil demeanor never wavered from the very start of their winning five-stop, three-city journey until they finally returned to Queens. More From Jon Heyman Hes poised. He is a cold dude. He is the coldest dude Ive ever been around, Harrison Bader said as the celebratory bubbly flowed. Hes colder than this champagne, baby, Bader decided. Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor reacts as he scores on his grand slam. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Lindor, dubbed Mr. Smile, grinned slightly at the thought, but no one remains calmer throughout this wild ride. He wears a look of determination, and flashes that famous smile KZ Okpala Jersey sparingly now. He has his eye on the big prize, and knows theres a long way to go. Theyve come a long way already, of course, and in style, winning elimination games, games in their last at-bat, games in places they hate against teams they hate more. And while they wouldnt say it, this was close to a must-win. They couldnt have relished the idea of going back to Philly for a deciding Game 5 against Zack Wheeler, the ex-Met whos transformed into the leagues best pitcher and who they didnt touch in their Game 1 comeback win. It was like Mike Scott in 1986. The Mets did not want to go back. Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor #12 celebrates with Starling Marte #6, Francisco Alvarez #4 and Luis Severino #40 in the dugout after he scores on his grand slam. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Speaking of the best, Lindor is the best hitter on the team, maybe the best defender in the league, and from here the very best leader, too. He wont win that MVP award the crowd keeps calling for. But before Ohtani turned superhuman, he had a case. Folks in LA never got this, and its easy to understand why. The numbers dont add up. But sometimes you just have to be there. Follow The Posts coverage of the Mets playoff run: He is the rock this surprise team needs, and everyone around it knows it. He thanked Bader for his thoughts and praised Bader for being such a great teammate. Im celebrating inside, but at the end of the day the job is not finished, Lindor said. Alonso called the blast the swing of a lifetime. Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor #12 celebrates with his family on the field. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post There have been a few of those lately, but the same could be said for the team that started 0-5, struggled through late May and looked like a po sible seller. Indeed, its been one wild swing. Now theres a party going on in Flushing, and the way things are going, it may last awhile. Lindors walk-up song, My Girl, was playing on the field 30 minutes afterward. The crowd behind the dugout didnt budge longer than that. That endle s trip of theirs was just the prelude to the biggest soiree of all, a homecoming fit for the surprise Kings of Queens (and maybe the National League). Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Lindor is getting help. Alonso happily remade his Mets legacy. Jose Iglesias redid his whole career rep. Mark Vientos established himself as a star. So did David Peterson, whos gone from borderline rotation guy to star starter to shutdown reliever. Its the guys. More than that, its the journey. Someone could write a book on it. They sneaked into the dance, becoming one of the first two to qualify on a paper tiebreaker, thanks to that Lindor home run in Atlanta, when he was carrying the team on his hurting back. Now hes feeling better and doing the same. Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates with team owner Steve Cohen. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST It feels amazing to be able to move forward, Lindor said. In this season of unparalleled parity, a rare year with no 100-game winner, the Mets have all they could ask for. That is a chance. Gue s where were going? Steve Cohen said. Were going to California. These Mets became the first team to qualify for a championship series. They are full of surprises. Shaquille O'Neal Jersey |
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