It’s been a rough year for many in Puerto Rico, which is still recovering from September’s Hurricane Maria and the prolonged blackouts that have been a fact of life for many since then. But the world’s paying some extra attention this week thanks to the first MLB regular-season series there since 2010, a two-game affair between the Minnesota Twins and the Cleveland Indians. And in the opener of that series Tuesday, Indians’ shortstop and Puerto Rico native Francisco Lindor cranked a fifth-inning full count home run to put Cleveland up 2-0, and the crowd at Hiram Bithorn Stadium (which barely survived the hurricane) went wild:
That’s quite the reaction, and it helps show how special a moment this was for many in Puerto Rico. Lindor in particular is still remembered fondly by many there:
Francisco Lindor arrives to his old school in Puerto Rico. Kids hanging over balcony chant his name. pic.twitter.com/dY96VpDI84
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) April 16, 2018
Lucy de Leon, who just turned 80, lives next door to Lindor's old school. She watched with a big smile as he played baseball with the kids today. "He might not remember me, but I remember him. It brings us a lot of pride for Gurabo." pic.twitter.com/6iK3MAPIl3
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) April 16, 2018
Lindor salutes Sandy Alomar Jr. around first. Pumps arms around third at the crowd. Fans chants "Lindor! Lindor!" again, begging for curtain call. Frankie emerges from dugout, raises both arms skyward as stadium erupts.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) April 18, 2018
And his mother Maria Serrano was in the crowd, and she had a great reaction too:
Frankie Lindor's mom approved of that homecoming homer. pic.twitter.com/67gmU3LtgC
— Anthony Castrovince (@castrovince) April 18, 2018
FS1’s Jon Paul Morosi interviewed her shortly afterwards:
Morosi also interviewed Lindor shortly before his home run:
Incredible atmosphere in Puerto Rico tonight. Thanks to @Lindor12BC for his time right before he stepped to the plate. @MLB @FS1 https://t.co/TXCwEb75w1
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) April 17, 2018
That’s a great moment for Lindor, and it’s awesome to see how heavily it was embraced by the crowd.