The New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers are two of the most talked-about teams in Major League Baseball. With deep pockets, superstar talent, and a shared determination to win, both franchises remain at the center of attention. The Mets are red-hot right now, riding a seven-game win streak and holding MLB’s best record at 18-7. Meanwhile, the Dodgers, despite a recent tough loss to the Chicago Cubs, remain a formidable force.
Though rivals on the field, Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor knows when to set competition aside to give credit where it’s due. Despite recently making headlines for a suspension-related incident, Lindor showed his respect for another superstar—Shohei Ohtani—during a conversation on The Boardroom podcast with Rich Kleiman.
“You don’t see what Ohtani is doing,” Lindor said. “He is elite at pitching, elite at hitting, and elite at running.” He emphasized how Ohtani can match up with anyone in the league—something baseball fans have seen time and time again. Ohtani, one of the rare true two-way players in baseball history, continues to put up impressive numbers. Last season, his 50-50 performance (50 home runs and 50 stolen bases) earned him a spot in the history books. This season, he already has 6 home runs, 15 RBIs, and a .261 batting average through 23 games—even while some view that as a “slump,” which speaks volumes about expectations for him.
Interestingly, the admiration is mutual. Ohtani previously praised Lindor, calling him “a really good guy” and noting his leadership and trademark smile—hence the nickname “Mr. Smile.” As Juan Soto has struggled offensively this year, Lindor has stepped up to become the driving force for the Mets—an uncommon start for a player who typically experiences early-season slumps.
At the end of the day, Lindor reminded fans of the unpredictable nature of baseball: “With that being said, we’re playing a sport, and on any given day, you can beat anybody.” It’s a sentiment that reflects the intensity of the Mets-Dodgers rivalry and hints at Lindor’s quiet confidence in his team’s potential.
Last season, Lindor finished second in the National League MVP race, right behind a Dodgers star. This year, with his hot start and growing leadership role, he might just be ready to close the gap.
That leadership has sparked conversations about whether Lindor should be named the next captain of the Mets—a position that’s been vacant since David Wright retired in 2018. While the team chose to table the decision before the season started, the chatter hasn’t died down.
Lindor addressed the possibility, saying, “If they give it to me, the players, the front office, and the coaching staff feel like I’m that guy—then it would be an honor; it would be a privilege. But it’s got to come from them.”
With no clear choice emerging yet, the Mets may simply have too many stars to pick from. Still, Lindor’s consistency, charisma, and leadership make him a strong candidate to carry the captain’s mantle—if and when the team decides it’s time.