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New York Mets’ 2015 motto: ‘Take the damn thing’

Feb 23, 2015; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; A view of the ball bag during spring training at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2015; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; A view of the ball bag during spring training at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Mets players were all issued shirts that say “take the damn thing”

Every team comes up with its own motivational mottos for every season. It’s usually something vaguely inspiring like “win one for the Gipper,” or something that makes more sense to them than it does to the rest of the world, like the 2009 Saints’ “who dat.”

The New York Mets’ new motto definitely falls into the latter category.

Those shirts were issued to each member of the Mets at the beginning of spring training.

It’s an open question what the “damn thing” is at this point. The division? The pennant? Money from the fans? Maybe somebody stole David Wright’s car and he wants to take it back? Maybe David Wright stole somebody’s car, muttering “take the damn thing” to himself the whole while.

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It’s all speculation at this point. It’s probably some inside joke among the Mets players.

Assuming the “damn thing” is actually baseball related, the Mets may well be in a position to take it. They have a strong young core of pitchers (led by the returning Matt Harvey), solid bullpen, and they still do have David Wright, although they don’t really have a shortstop. Odds are they have a decent shot at the “damn thing.” (Although there are no official “damn thing” odds in Vegas, the Mets have the 10th best odds to win the World Series at 40/1).

Whatever “take the damn thing” means, it’s at least a lot better than the following slogans for the other NL East teams (that I made up):

Atlanta Braves: “We miss Chipper Jones. And Jason Heyward. And Justin Upton.”

Miami Marlins: “Pretend we’re actually going to pay Giancarlo that $325 million”

Philadlephia Phillies: “Pretend we know why Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee are still here”

Washington Nationals: “Take the damn thing before the Mets do”

Well, actually, those other teams probably have their own motivational mottos, and they’re probably better than those. Except the Nationals one. If I were the Nationals, I would use that.

So what is the “damn thing?” Who knows. But the Mets are taking it. Or they’ll try to, anyway.

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