CINCINNATI — A slumping Francisco Lindor has not recently been on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, which is probably advisable for his well-being.
The Mets shortstop has avoided the kind of messages that threaten his family, a few of which his wife, Katia Reguero Lindor, shared Friday night.
In one private message she revealed, an account called her husband a “f–king piece of s–t” and wished “him and your child die screaming.” Another private message entailed an account calling her a “selfish c–t” who should “tell his ass to work on hitting.”
of the disturbing Instagram messages that
she received. Screengrab via X/@RegueroKatia
“cowardly social media hate” that “crosses a
line.” Screengrab via X/@RegueroKatia
In bringing the messages to the public, Reguero Lindor exposed what life can be like for a struggling hitter and his family, particularly in an era of Internet anonymity and mostly legalized sports betting, which has helped turn people in uniform into gambling props.
“I’m usually all for triggering male fragile egos and find it borderline comical when I get cowardly social media hate, but when lowlifes like this bring my husband and kids to the conversation, whew, that really crosses a boundary & it saddens me to know how vile some people are,” Reguero Lindor wrote. “How unhappy must you be with your own life? Go take out your anger elsewhere, please.”
Lindor appreciated what amounted to a public service announcement from his wife.
“I love that she’s always looking out for what’s best for me and what’s best for our family,” Lindor said before going 0-for-5 in a 9-6 loss to the Reds on Saturday at Great American Ball Park.
The Mets shortstop has one hit in his first eight games and 31 at-bats for an .032 average. He knows when he slumps the private messages get worse, but he did not want to divulge much of what he reads, not comfortable talking about the ugliest side of stardom.
But he appreciated his wife speaking up — and the team owner, too.
In the wake of Katia’s tweet, many online rallied around the Lindors, including Steve Cohen.
A Mets fan’s social media account suggested a standing ovation for Lindor upon returning to Citi Field, the Mets next at home Friday for a series against the Royals. The Mets owner approved of the idea.
“Love that idea,” Cohen wrote Saturday. “It worked in Philly with [Trea] Turner. Positivity goes a long way.”
Last year, Phillies fans watched Turner — another star shortstop signed to a lengthy, $300 million contract — finish July with just a .242 average and .673 OPS, in as deep a slump as he had experienced.
Those Philadelphia fans, who don’t have a reputation for patience, responded in early August with routine standing ovations, attempts to coax Turner out of his funk with appreciation rather than fury.
Turner responded with a torrid final two months of the season, in which he hit .317 with a 1.000 OPS.
It’s possible Mets fans — who have booed Lindor when he has played poorly and cheered him when he has performed for his three-plus seasons in Queens — borrow the tactic, with urging from Cohen.
“That would be amazing. That’d be great,” Lindor said. “I do appreciate Steve going out there and also looking to protect me and all the players, looking out for us.”
In what could be a dark moment, Lindor appreciated the kind thoughts — many of which came to light because Reguero spoke up.
“I love that she’s sticking up for me. That’s what married couples do,” Francisco said. “She’s my partner. She’s my best friend.”
