With all the attention paid to Francisco Lindor, and rightfully so, it’s easy to forget that the Mets have another player named Francisco that is very important to their success this season and beyond. Francisco Alvarez came through in the clutch to win the first game of the series against the Orioles in the bottom of the ninth with a walk-off home run. The emotion that he showed proves how much pressure he has put on himself to improve in what is just his second full season. The emotion showed by his teammates prove what a great teammate he is, and how important he is to them. Lastly, the emotion showed by the fans at Citi Field prove that he has passed a very tough test that many fail. To be loved by New York fans, you need to lay it all on the line every day, which Alvarez does.

In one swing in the dog days of summer, a swing which should become iconic for Alvarez, it was obvious that there was more accomplished than winning a game for his team. The weight came off his shoulders, even if for just one night. That weight of being a potential franchise savior is a heavy burden to bear, especially for a catcher in his second full season.

The Mets have not had the same history of other more successful franchises. What they have had are some very popular and successful players at the catcher position.  The 1986 Mets would not have won the team’s second World Series title without the leadership, offensive production, and managing of the pitching staff that was provided by Gary Carter. Similarly, while his teams never won a World Series, Mike Piazza was one of the best catchers of all-time and his plaque at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown has him in a Mets cap. His #31 is also retired by the Mets.

Following in Carter’s and Piazza’s footsteps is most definitely an unenviable position, but many see him as the next great catcher of the Mets. After a cup of coffee consisting of 12 at-bats in 2022, Alvarez had a very successful 2023. He clubbed 25 home runs to go with 63 RBIs in 382 at-bats. His areas of improvement were average (.209) and strikeouts (110).

No one can ever accuse Alvarez of not trying and putting his best foot forward. In Spring Training this year, something as simple as conducting an interview with SNY in his non-native English language showed his leadership potential. He started the year as one of the few catalysts in the lineup.

In April, Alvarez injured his thumb and underwent surgery on a torn ligament in the thumb.  He missed all of May and returned to the lineup on June 11th. In that month of June, Alvarez was on fire, batting .375 with three homers and 12 RBIs. He cooled off substantially in July, batting only .200 with 14 hits and 23 strikeouts. The month saw him produce only one home run and six RBIs. So far August has been a bit better, with an average of .227, with 10 hits to go with 13 strikeouts.

Manager Carlos Mendoza has continued putting Alvarez in the lineup, and in the first game of the Baltimore series, his loyalty to Alvarez was rewarded. His home run in the bottom of the ninth gave the Mets the win over the first-place Orioles. Of more importance will be how Alvarez, and the team, responds moving forward.

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