Though he won’t be starring in a Yankees uniform anytime soon, superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor officially locked himself into the Big Apple for the long haul this week.
Lindor came to a last-minute 10-year agreement with the New York Mets that surpassed Fernando Tatis Jr.’s mega-deal by a single million, and nearly the first place he went in the aftermath was the R2C2 podcast to talk shop with CC Sabathia.
After all, who better to gab with about the pressures of being a highly-paid and imported athlete in New York City?
Though Lindor doesn’t have a New York icon in the Mets locker room to learn from, Sabathia leant him some of the advice he gleaned from the Big Man on Campus back in his day: Derek Jeter.
See, people think New York is some entirely different animal, but it’s really not.
It’s a huge city that embraces flashy personalities being themselves — and winning while doing it.
Jeter’s grand advice to Sabathia, back in the day? “Be yourself. Be authentic.”
Yankees legend CC Sabathia gave Francisco Lindor advice for starring in New York City.
If Lindor manages to take the Mets to the heights they’re supposed to reach, we could be set up for some great baseball in this city for a very long time.
Even Yankees fans who dislike the Mets have to admit the Subway Series will be more fun if the flash on the other side of town can back up their talk, and Lindor appears to have the perfect mix of bravado and skills.
His teammates certainly seem to have fallen in line behind him.
When Derek Jeter “was himself” in leading the Yankees dynasty back in the day, it was humble leadership that led the way. Sabathia? His authentic self was a big bear on the mound who let his emotions run wild in a rabid exhale when he recorded a big out.
Lindor? He plays the game the right way, which for him means with overflowing enthusiasm. He’ll fit right in, as long as he doesn’t forget that.
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