Montverde alum Lindor notches his 1st MLB hit

Former Montverde Academy star Francisco Lindor generated buzz as he steadily worked his way through the Cleveland Indians minor league system.

The shortstop made his major league debut in dramatic fashion on this date in 2015.

Lindor entered a Cleveland game against the Detroit Tigers in the top of the seventh inning as a pinch hitter and struck out during his first MLB at-bat.

The 21-year-old got one more opportunity and lined a 3-1 pitch from Tigers right-hander Joakim Soria to right field.

Lindor pushed to reach second base, but he wiped out after rounding first. He was able to make it back to first base before he was tagged out. Lindor laughed and tried to blame Detroit first baseman Miguel Cabrera, who was nowhere near Lindor as he hit the dirt, and the first base umpire responded with laughter.

Lindor also appeared in a minor league box score on the same same day because the Columbus Clippers resumed a game that had been suspended the previous day. Lindor appeared early in the Triple-A matchup before reporting to the Indians.

Lindor went on to become a four-time MLB All-Star, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner and a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner.

Montverde renamed its baseball facility in Lindor’s honor in 2013.

Lindor notably helped Cleveland reach the World Series in 2016. He had seven multi-hit games, breaking the record for the most by a player younger than 23 years old. His 16 postseason hits were the most by an Indians batter since 1997.

He recently donated 150 pairs of New Balance sneakers to hospital workers at a Cleveland area hospital that has been helping fight the coronavirus.

“I want to thank you guys for everything you guys are doing for the community of Cleveland,” Lindor said in a video Cleveland Clinic posted of the baseball player telling hospital staff about the donation. “It means a lot. You guys are the true heroes. All of you.

“I just want to help a little bit to make you guys a little more comfortable.”

Major League Baseball has struggled to reach an agreement with players to resume play amid the pandemic.