Being one of just three current MLB players to have a signature cleat is not a distinction Francisco Lindor takes lightly. In fact, when New Balance first broached making him the centerpiece of their baseball division, Lindor initially balked at the idea — because he wanted to make absolutely sure he had accomplished enough to deserve the honor.
“I remember that meeting,” said New Balance senior product manager Matt Nuzzo. “We were talking about launching his shoe … and also talking about a signature apparel line down the road. And he just wanted to earn his stripes more.
“Honestly, it was a refreshing thing. It takes courage to be different. I don’t think Francisco lacks in that category at all.”
Several years later, Lindor — now a four-time All-Star — has clearly earned the right to think big. And as New Balance drops the Summer Storm edition of the Lindor 2 in both cleat and trainer versions on July 14, the Mets’ star shortstop has lofty ambitions for his second signature shoe that go well beyond the national pastime.
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