The night Mr. Smile shined in Puerto Rico

By César Augusto Márquez

Puerto Rico threw a party and Francisco Lindor stole the show.

With one swing in the fifth inning of Game 1 of the Puerto Rico Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, Lindor broke a scoreless tie and set off the loudest celebration heard on the island in the time since Hurricane María made landfall back in Sept. 20.

Estadio Hiram Bithorn shook and roared at the same time, the sellout crowd of 19,516 chanting in Spanish, ¡Lindor! ¡Lindor! ¡Lindor! Born and raised in Caguas until moving to Florida at 12, Lindor is for some the incarnation of the Puerto Rican diaspora, a native son returning home to show that his island still mattered.

“This is where I grew up,” the Indians shortstop said after his two-run blast. “These are my people. It’s extremely special.

“I’m in Puerto Rico in front of my family, in front of my friends, in front of this beautiful Puerto Rican crowd,” he added. “I’m just excited. I touched second base and looked in the dugout. Everybody’s hands are up, so I put my hands up. I looked around the stadium, everybody’s hands are up, so I keep putting my hands up and running. You are celebrating. It was extremely emotional.”

For Paquito, it was a great week all-around. Accompanied by his mother, the 24-year-old All-Star went back to his old stomping grounds, touring his former elementary school in Gurabo, Escuela Villa Marina, before holding a clinic for 250 students.

Lindor wrote on his shoes the phrase, “Puerto Rico, I love you.” And Puerto Rico loved him back in return.

Homage to a humanitarian Cookie

Indians righty Carlos “Cookie” Carrasco is among the most active philanthropists in baseball, helping people in the United States and his homeland of Venezuela. Last year, his foundation pivoted to Puerto Rico and raised funds for the victims of Hurricane María. In recognition of his humanitarian efforts, Carrasco was honored this week by Puerto Rico’s Governor Ricardo Rosello.

Daddy Yankee in the house

Reggaetón star Daddy Yankee grabbed part of the spotlight, throwing out the first pitch in Game 2. Winner of 93 musical awards and the author of the mega galactic hits “La Gasolina,” “Despacito,” and “Dura,” he once dreamed of pitching in the majors. Daddy Yankee actually tried out for the Seattle Mariners, but a gunshot wound ended one journey and started another that is still flourishing today.

Lindor, Carrasco and Edwin Encarnación — all big fans — took advantage to pose with Daddy Yankee and post the pictures on Instagram.

Eduardo and Nicolas

Twins shortstop Eduardo Escobar celebrated his trip to Puerto Rico by walking on the beach, contemplating the Atlantic Ocean and enjoying the hot weather. We can’t blame him. Back home in Minneapolis, it was snowing while temperatures fluctuated between 23 and 37 degrees.

During one of his walks, Escobar ran into Oscar winner Nicolas Cage, snagging a pose with the usually reclusive actor.

The Incredibles

It’s true that the Boston Red Sox started the season as one of the favorites in the American League East. But their 16-2 start has shattered team records and made giddy all of New England.

These BoSox are the seventh team since 1920 to start 15-2 or better, after the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers (15-2), 1966 Cleveland Indians (15-2), 1981 Oakland A’s (16-1), 1984 Detroit Tigers (16-1), 1987 Milwaukee Brewers (16-1), and 2003 San Francisco Giants. As Boston’s rookie manager Álex Cora of Puerto Rico might say, “¡Wepa!”

Featured Image: Jean Fruth / La Vida Baseball