MINNEAPOLIS — Francisco Lindor’s benevolent contributions have placed him in consideration for MLB’s top humanitarian recognition.
Before the Mets’ 5-2 loss to the Twins on Friday, Lindor was named the team’s nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, the winner of which will be named during the World Series. The award is given annually to the player who best represents the game through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and contributions on and off the field.
“Being Puerto Rican, it’s one of those things where they talk to you about [Clemente] in school,” Lindor said, referring to the former Pirates star who was killed in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while delivering humanitarian aid to Nicaragua. “Wherever you go in the schools, they talk about him.”
The shortstop said he’s proudest of his “Lindor scholarship program” for families in need.
“It’s not just specific for athletes, and to me, it’s very special to be a mentor for those kids and be there for those kids,” Lindor said.
Lindor has also assisted in the funding and development of Montverde Academy’s Lindor Hall — a two-story middle school in the Orlando, Fla., area.
“To me that was one of the coolest ones because [students] get to go to school and they go in a classroom that has my mom’s name or my sister’s name,” Lindor said.
Ronny Mauricio will “potentially” see action at shortstop and third base over the final three weeks, according to manager Buck Showalter. The rookie started his sixth straight game at second base on Friday since his recall from Triple-A Syracuse and went 0-for-3.
Showalter said discussions on the topic have included general manager Billy Eppler, infield coach Joey Cora and minor league infield coordinator Miguel Cairo.
“I would like to get him some time at shortstop and maybe even third. We talk about all three,” Showalter said. “We’re just trying to find a way to get [the rookies] all in there as much as I can. He’s capable of it. We’ll probably keep him out of the outfield right now.”
Showalter said he spoke with Mauricio before the game to provide feedback on his performance.
“I was talking to him in my office about how proud we are of him and some things to make sure we are on top of,” Showalter said.
DJ Stewart missed a third straight start with what Showalter termed more an oblique issue than lower-back discomfort.
Showalter said Stewart tried to play through the issue instead of getting ahead of it and resting as he had in the past.
Even so, Showalter said he expects Stewart back in the lineup on Saturday.
