The New York Mets' Francisco Lindor holds his Players' Weekend bat while waiting his turn in the batting cage before the Little League Classic baseball game against the Seattle Mariners at Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pa. AP

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Carlos Mendoza was thrilled to learn the Little League World Series had a team this summer that represented his Venezuelan hometown. The Mets manager struck up a conversation with some kids from Barquisimeto on his trip to the stadium where the traditional youth tournament is held — only to find the ballplayers a bit distracted by the big leaguers around them.

“I'm talking to one kid and Juan Soto walks by,” Mendoza said Sunday with a laugh. “Francisco Lindor. It was hard to maintain that conversation.”

Already hard to miss as one of the most r

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