It wasn’t a long caption, but it didn’t need to be. Long before they found themselves on opposite sides of New York baseball rivalry, Francisco Lindor and Marcus Stroman shared a clubhouse, a flag, and a bond. So when the Yankees pitcher offered a heartfelt tribute after Friday’s Subway Series clash, the Mets’ shortstop reply was a reminder of the friendship that still lingers beneath the pinstripes.

On Friday, Stroman started for the Yankees while Lindor led off for the Mets in the opener of this year’s Subway Series at Citi Field—their first on-field meeting since becoming professional rivals. Stroman went five innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and striking out four. Lindor went 0-for-4, but the Mets pulled off a 6-5 win behind big swings from Juan Soto, Brett Baty, and Jeff McNeil. After the game, Stroman—despite the loss—posted an Instagram Story commending Lindor.

The brief exchange has quickly stood out. Stroman’s Instagram story featured a photo of Lindor and himself in the middle of attempting a handshake (captured by an SNY camera pregame), with a caption that read: “My dawg for life.” It was acknowledgment within sport from one competitor to another, with an additional personal sentiment. Moments later, Lindor reposted Stroman’s story on his own, writing: “Love you bro, always fam.”

If you didn’t know, Lindor and Stroman were teammates during the 2021 season in Queens. It was a turbulent year for the Mets, but one that quietly fostered a strong clubhouse bond. Their chemistry was unmistakable and deepened in 2023 when both suited up for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. Stroman’s decision to represent his mother’s heritage after previously pitching for Team USA was commendable, and on the mound for Puerto Rico, he and Berríos led the starting rotation with Emilio Pagán. 

In a sport built around fierce competition and constant movement, moments like these remind fans and players what truly lasts. As the Mets push forward in the playoff hunt and the Yankees recalibrate mid-season, this small exchange cut through the rivalry noise.

Francisco Lindor and Marcus Stroman’s off-field connection

SNY cameras captured Lindor warmly greeting Stroman before the game, in a candid moment of respectful familiarity. It reflected a bond grown through shared seasons in Queens. The image of their embrace before the game shows the brief postgame Instagram message as less a surprise and more a culmination.

Back in 2021, Lindor and Stroman weren’t just roster-filling names; they were central figures in a team that struggled for consistency and cohesion. Lindor, in his first year with the Mets, was seen as the steadying leader. Stroman, a vocal and emotional force, often credited the people around him, including Lindor, for helping him stay locked in—in an interview, for instance.

Though their time as Mets teammates in 2021 lasted just one season, Lindor and Stroman’s relationship stood out in a clubhouse often described as fragmented. Reporters noted how both players, in their own ways, took on responsibility for the team’s energy: Lindor through steady leadership and Stroman through outspoken competitiveness. What bonds them still is a shared commitment to accountability, culture, and pride in representation; whether for New York or Puerto Rico.

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