If these Mets aren’t careful their fanbase might actually start to “Believe”. They say “Ya Gotta Believe” but most Mets fans will tell you that due to years of heartbreak and disappointment that they take that slogan with a grain of salt.
Following this past week, some, if not most, are saying it with conviction.
Thursday night in Milwaukee, for the second time in four days, the Mets, staring down the barrel of elimination hit the second of two of the most unlikely Home Runs in the franchises 62 year history.
Monday afternoon in Atlanta, a place where just two years ago the Mets were swept in a series which cost them a division title, just one of many nightmares that the Mets have suffered at the hands of the Braves and Monday afternoon seem destined to be added to that list. It was the top of the ninth and The Mets had just blown a three run lead and now trailed 7 - 6. Francisco Lindor, who just a few days earlier returned to the lineup after missing time with a back injury, stepped to the plate as Mets fans everywhere hoped for a miracle but expected another disappointment. Just then, the consensus team MVP, blasted a two run opposite field home run off of Braves reliever Pierce Johnson. Turning what seemed to be a sure loss into a playoff clinching win. Were the tides were beginning to turn for this franchise?
Just three days later, the Mets again found themselves in Dire Straits. Trailing 2-0 in the ninth to the Brewers in a winner take all game. A lead off walk to Francisco Lindor, then Brandon Nimmo lined a bass hit to centerfield. With the tying runs aboard and the Mets down to their final two outs of the season, the slumping Pete Alonzo came to the plate.
In years past, this almost certainly would’ve ended poorly for the Mets and Alonso, but not this year.
Alonso took a fastball up in the zone and planted it over the right field wall for dramatic three run home run giving the Mets the lead. The Mets would hold on and win the game advancing to the NLDS
In just four days time this franchise that seemingly could never catch a break twice had late inning, unlikely, dramatic comebacks to extend the season and continue this unlikely run that this team is on.
Next up is the Division champs, the Phillies. It won’t be easy but for a fan base so used to disappointment, so used to saying Ya Gotta Believe” but not really believing, is starting to have faith in it’s rallying cry, and “Believe” in this team and this year.
