The 2009 Mets Could Use Some Mojo Risin’

The famous "Grand-Slam Single" homerun trot.

Who could forget the spectacular 1999 Mets of ten years ago — those Mets of Sports Illustrated “Best Infield Ever” cover fame — with their triumphant playoff run and never-quit comeback attitude. That Mets lineup was stacked with hitters and runners and could never be counted out down late in a game, the seeming antithesis of this heartless 2009 team. Better days.

With the 2009 squad decimated by injury and seemingly down on their spirits (not to mention the fans’), the team could use to take a page from the book of the 1999 club. Inspired by the lyric from The Doors song “L.A. Woman,” Robin Ventura, a clubhouse leader if ever there was one, entered the clubhouse one day with t-shirts for the entire team that said “Mojo Risin’” in big, block letters. The phrase became a rallying cry for the team, displayed on the old Sharp jumbotron at Shea accompanied by The Doors tune when the Amazins needed some late-inning magic. The fans loved it, and for all that is holy in this world it did seem to inspire the team.

The 2009 Mets need some Mojo. And they need it to rise. BADLY. The ‘99 team had such fireplugs as Ventura, Rickey Henderson, Roger Cedeno, Mike Piazza and more. The 2009 Mets of June 30th have… Alex Cora. But they could also have mustaches. Think about it. How awesome would it be if the team uniformly started sporting lip-sweaters? It’d be absolutely magical, that’s what. Come on guys, get it together. And David, you’re the unnofficial captain, so lead the way.