NEW YORK (AP) — Francisco Lindor waited a month to get back in the lineup at Citi Field.
When he finally did Tuesday, was it everything he envisioned?
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New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) greets outfielder Starling Marte (6) in the dugout after a double play against the Philadelphia Phillies during the sixth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) reacts after striking out against the Philadelphia Phillies to end the fifth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) slides safely into second base for a two-run RBI double against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) tags out Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm (28) as Bohm attempts to stretch a base hit into a double during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) tags out Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm (28) as Bohm attempts to stretch a base hit into a double during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) and outfielder Brandon Nimmo (9) celebrate after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor throws to first on a ground out by Philadelphia Phillies' Johan Rojas during the third inning of Game 1 of a baseball NL Division Series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates with Jose Iglesias after scoring on a hit by Brandon Nimmo during the eighth inning of Game 1 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Phillies' Johan Rojas (18) dives safely back to second as New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor tries to tag him for a pickoff during the fifth inning of Game 1 of a baseball NL Division Series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor celebrates in the locker room after clinching a playoff berth with a victory in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
New York Mets' Harrison Bader (44), Francisco Lindor (12), and Tyrone Taylor celebrate after winning Game 1 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor hits a single against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sánchez during the third inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor takes the field ahead of Game 1 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor celebrates in the locker room after clinching a playoff berth with a victory in the first game of a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor smiles during of the first inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor talks to outfielder Harrison Bader during batting practice before playing against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
“It was better,” Lindor said, flashing that signature smile. “Pretty cool. Pretty special."
Playing at home for the first time since Sept. 8 after being sidelined by a back injury, the Mets' star shortstop was serenaded by “MVP!” chants from a sellout crowd that also resumed happily singing along to his walk-up song, “My Girl” by The Temptations.
At the plate, Lindor went 1 for 5 with an RBI double in the eighth inning that punctuated New York's 7-2 victory over the rival Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of their NL Division Series.
The surprising Mets took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five set and can reach the National League Championship Series with another victory Wednesday at home.
“Amazing. Amazing. The fans really put on a great show,” Lindor said. “Great atmosphere.”
A contender for the NL MVP award, Lindor injured his back Sept. 13 in Philadelphia and played just one inning over the next 10 games before returning Sept. 27 in Milwaukee.
After two weeks of dramatic twists and turns on the road, the Mets were back in their own ballpark Tuesday for the first time since Sept. 22.
“I always felt confident that I was going to come back, but you never know,” Lindor said.
The leadoff hitter is a huge reason the Mets were able to make it this far and earn two Division Series games in Queens.
Among a string of clutch contributions, his tying homer in the ninth inning Sept. 11 at Toronto broke up Bowden Francis' no-hit bid and sparked a critical Mets victory, and his go-ahead homer in the ninth on Sept. 30 in Atlanta clinched a postseason berth.
Lindor also fought back from a 1-2 count to draw an eight-pitch walk leading off the ninth against All-Star closer Devin Williams last Thursday in Milwaukee, helping to set up Pete Alonso’s go-ahead homer that saved New York’s season in the Wild Card Series clincher.
“I’m in a good place right now. I’m living the life I always wanted," Lindor said.
After working hard with the athletic training staff for weeks just to get back on the field, Lindor received a loud ovation during formal introductions prior to Game 3. The “MVP! MVP!” chants started even before his name was announced.
Then in the first inning, Citi Field fans once again sang along to “My Girl” as he stepped to the plate.
The switch-hitter flied out to the warning track in right-center.
“We’ve got to play well here otherwise we get booed here, too,” Lindor said before the game, drawing laughs from reporters.
His back injury caused him to become familiar with some new medical terms.
“There’s a couple of different ones, whether it’s names of injections or names of the L4, L5, S1, facet joints, all that stuff. I’m out here learning anatomy,” he said. “So it wasn’t a good process, but I guess it made me a little smarter.”
Lindor goes through a lengthy pregame routine with athletic trainers to stay healthy enough to play, but said now he's “in a very good spot.”
“I can’t praise the trainers enough (for) how good they have done their job. It’s one of those where if I sit for too long and I get up, I feel it. But it’s not as bad,” Lindor said. “No one that’s playing baseball right now is playing pain-free. We all have something happening. My back, it’s in a much, much better spot. I’m not even thinking about it at this point.”
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza noted the 30-year-old Lindor is not only “locked in,” but “a lot more mature” and even keel.
“He understands that it happens quick. Can’t get too high, can’t get too low,” Mendoza said. “He’s been in a lot of playoff games. He’s been in the World Series. And I think he’s enjoying it. I don’t think he’s probably expressing as much, but deep inside this is what he wants. This is what he wants not only for him but for the team and the organization. So, proud of him.”
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New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) greets outfielder Starling Marte (6) in the dugout after a double play against the Philadelphia Phillies during the sixth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) reacts after striking out against the Philadelphia Phillies to end the fifth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) slides safely into second base for a two-run RBI double against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) tags out Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm (28) as Bohm attempts to stretch a base hit into a double during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) tags out Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm (28) as Bohm attempts to stretch a base hit into a double during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) and outfielder Brandon Nimmo (9) celebrate after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor throws to first on a ground out by Philadelphia Phillies' Johan Rojas during the third inning of Game 1 of a baseball NL Division Series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates with Jose Iglesias after scoring on a hit by Brandon Nimmo during the eighth inning of Game 1 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Phillies' Johan Rojas (18) dives safely back to second as New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor tries to tag him for a pickoff during the fifth inning of Game 1 of a baseball NL Division Series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor celebrates in the locker room after clinching a playoff berth with a victory in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
New York Mets' Harrison Bader (44), Francisco Lindor (12), and Tyrone Taylor celebrate after winning Game 1 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor hits a single against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sánchez during the third inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor takes the field ahead of Game 1 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor celebrates in the locker room after clinching a playoff berth with a victory in the first game of a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor smiles during of the first inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor talks to outfielder Harrison Bader during batting practice before playing against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) — Parts of Guinea's capital were on lockdown as civil society and opposition groups protested the ruling junta’s missed deadline to launch a return to democracy, with the U.S. calling for clear timelines to hold long-delayed elections.
Guinea is one of several West African countries where the military has taken power and delayed a return to civilian rule. Col. Mamadi Doumbouya, the junta leader in power since 2021, agreed in 2022 to launch a democratic transition after a Dec. 31, 2024, deadline.
However, the expiration of that deadline came with more promises. In his New Year's message, Doumbouya said without committing to a date that a decree for a constitutional referendum will be signed to launch the democratic process. Activists and opposition groups condemned the announcement as a ploy to prolong the military rule.
In a statement late Monday, the Forces Vives de Guinée coalition group asked Guineans to stay indoors as a form of protest and accused the junta of holding Guinea “hostage.” It said one man was fatally shot and hundreds of mostly young people have been arrested in the latest protest.
Authorities did not comment Tuesday.
The U.S. State Department urged the military leaders to commit to concrete steps for the constitutional referendum and democratic elections and to involve civil society groups and political parties in the process.
“The United States is concerned that Guinea has not met its January 1, 2025, target date to launch its democratic transition and calls on the Guinean government to undertake a transparent and inclusive process that engages all Guineans,” it said in a statement Monday.
Beyond scheduling elections, there are concerns about the credibility of elections. The ruling junta dissolved more than 50 political parties last year in a move it claimed was to “clean up the political chessboard.”
The junta has also tightened the grip on independent media, rights groups say, with social networks and private radio stations often cut off, information sites interrupted or suspended for several months without explanation, and journalists facing attacks and arrests.
FILE - Guinea's President Mamadi Doumbouya addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on Sept. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)