It happened before the bottom of the first. Francisco Lindor pulled Ronny Mauricio aside as they headed to their positions, and the conversation wasn’t short. No cameras caught audio, but you didn’t need sound to understand the tone, this wasn’t filler. Lindor spoke, Mauricio listened, and the moment lingered longer than most between-inning exchanges usually do. Maybe it was a reminder, maybe advice. Whatever it was, it landed. Mauricio collected two hits that night, including a home run, and followed it up with another strong showing on Sunday. For the New York Mets, it might’ve been the most important meeting of the week.
Francisco Lindor’s quiet leadership has become a defining factor for the NY Mets’ success
Ronny Mauricio’s season didn’t exactly get off to the smoothest start. Called up on June 3 after Mark Vientos went down, Mauricio arrived with scorching numbers from Triple-A Syracuse—a .515 batting average, 1.382 OPS, three homers, and eight RBIs in just 33 at-bats. However, the adjustment period showed in his early swings. In a tiny sample, in his first 12 at-bats with the Mets, he managed just one hit, struck out four times, and looked out of sync at the plate more often than not.
Then came that moment before the bottom of the first inning against the Rockies. Francisco Lindor, known for his steady leadership and personal approach, pulled Mauricio aside for an extended conversation. It was the kind of mentorship Lindor has made routine; as Will Sammon pointed out in his May 29 article, Lindor regularly checks in with teammates after series, offering advice and grounding support. Whatever Lindor said in that exchange, seemed to reset Mauricio’s mindset.
The results were immediate. Mauricio launched a 456-foot leadoff homer in the third inning, finishing the game 2-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs scored. He followed that up with a 2-for-3 performance on Sunday, adding two runs, two walks, and another stolen base. Lindor’s steady leadership is proving to be more than words, it’s a spark that keeps the Mets moving forward.
Ronny Mauricio sent this one 456 feet!
— MLB (@MLB) June 8, 2025
(MLB x @JagermeisterUSA) pic.twitter.com/9kLpYwGJ7w
Mauricio’s breakout after that brief chat with Lindor isn’t just a coincidence, it’s a reminder of how leadership can shift momentum in a hurry. Moments like this shows why the Mets lean on Lindor’s steady presence both on and off the field. If Mauricio can keep building on this surge, it could mark the start of a promising stretch for him, and a boost the team will be eager to ride as the season heats up.