Mets Make LeBron James Social Media Joke After Shohei Ohtani Tops Lindor for NL MVP

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani unanimously won the National League MVP award on Thursday, besting second-place finisher and New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor.

After news of that result went live, the Mets channeled their inner LeBron James, referencing the Los Angeles Lakers superstar's recent decision to take a social media sabbatical.

The Mets' social media stoppage lasted all of nine minutes, as the team honored their superstar in another X post.

It was an incredible year for the shortstop, as Lindor amassed 33 home runs and 91 RBI to go along with a .273 batting average and .844 OPS. The Silver Slugger also swiped 29 bags, scored 107 runs and led the Mets to their first National League Championship Series since 2015.

In many years, Lindor's efforts could have won him an MVP award. He was the catalyst for a phenomenal Mets turnaround that saw the team go from 11 games under .500 in early June to an 89-73 record and a wild-card berth.

New York clinched a postseason berth on the season's last day thanks largely to Lindor, who hit a game-winning, two-run, ninth-inning homer against the Atlanta Braves in Game 161 for an 8-7 victory. He fared well in the playoffs too with an .877 OPS, two homers and eight RBI over 13 games.

Of course, this year was hard to win an MVP over Ohtani, who became the first player to post a 50-50 season (54 homers, 59 stolen bases). Even though he never played defense this season, his offensive dominance (for the league's top team no less) catapulted him to the award.

The argument against Ohtani, of course, is that he didn't play defense. It seemed like the SNY Mets X account may have made a comment on that with this interestingly timed post.

Lindor put forth a phenomenal effort, though, and he could well keep himself in the MVP conversation next year as he and the Mets look to build off a tremendous season.