Puerto Rican Francisco Lindor joined the historic 30-30 club with the New York Mets [Video]

Francisco Lindor, Puerto Rican shortstop for the New York Mets, reached a new milestone in his career by entering for the first time in his career the club of players who hit at least 30 home runs with 30 stolen bases in a season.

His previous best numbers in these two lines had been 38 HR and 25 stolen bases in 2018 with the then Cleveland Indians, now the Guardians.

Lindor becomes the third player in Puerto Rico’s history to enter the 30/30 club. The others were José “Cheíto” Cruz (34 and 32 in 2001) and Carlos Beltrán (38 and 42 in 2004).

At a general level in MLB, he became the 45th player in MLB history to achieve it. In addition, the second to do so this season along with Ronald Acuña Jr., who, however, raised the bar for this club that highlights players with strength and speed by reaching 60 home runs and 70 or more stolen bases.

Lindor honored to join the club

After the game, Lindor said: “I don’t really play by the numbers, but it’s hard not to play by the numbers here in New York. Statistics are highly valued here, so they mean a lot.”

Likewise, “Paquito” feels honored to join a club where his two great references in baseball are: fellow Puerto Rican Carlos Beltrán and the former shortstop of the Cincinnati Reds and member of the Hall of Fame, Barry Larkin.

“The two of them helped me grow, so belonging to the same category as them means a lot,” he concluded.

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