It's been an interesting two months at Citi Field. Because of the almost manic highs and lows, Mets fans aren't exactly sure how to support their team. I've gone from immense pride over R.A. Dickey's 9-1 winning streak to horrible amounts of pain every time I look at the overall National League East stats. Despite the agony and loss, however, I'm continually proud of my team.
There's a personal element to a game in Flushing that makes me happy to support the Mets regardless of what the stats say. Sure, we may be the underdogs of the New York baseball scene, but the lack of money and leadership outside of the dugout is not stopping the team from giving it their best and playing with class and character every day. We've got a host of enthusiastic new players reaped from the farm system (Hello, Kirk Nieuwenhuis!), the only active remaining knuckleball pitcher in MLB and a shiny new no-hitter under our belts. And the heart the boys show on the field extends into their music choices when they head up to bat.
Take infielder Daniel Murphy for example, a true fan favorite who opts to psych himself up with the Dropkick Murphys. Classic rock is a big theme in Flushing: Dillon Gee keeps his cool with a little Johnny Cash, Josh Thole picked the Scorpions, Johan Santana opts for his namesake Santana and Lucas Duda follows suit with Jimi Hendrix. Across the mound, catcher Mike Nickeas goes for a modern favorite with Coldplay, a stark contrast to teammate Mike Baxter's Ozzy Osbourne and David Wright's House of Pain.
If that's not diverse enough for you, #2 Justin Turner decided to bring some humor to Flushing this summer when he swapped his at-bat song for Carly Rae Jepsen's infectious pop hit, "Call Me Maybe." An odd juxtaposition to R.A. Dickey's "Imperial March" by John Williams and the London Symphony Orchestra, better known as the iconic theme from "Star Wars."
This is a team that knows how to have fun. This is a team that takes chances. This is a team that plays like a ball club, not a cubical dweller. Do facial hair rules really have a place outside of the desk job? And this soundtrack speaks to that, from Rob Zombie to Lou Monte during the 7th inning stretch.
But the Mets let go of all of their usual song choices last month when they honored late Beastie Boy Adam Yauch, a known Mets fan, by playing one solid night of Beastie Boys music. The homage, led by Scott Hairston, had Andres Torres picking "So What'cha Want," Ike Davis going for "Fight For Your Right (To Party)" and David Wright walking onto the field to "Brass Monkey."
Below are the walk-up songs you hear when you greet your 2012 New York Mets, just more evidence that, yes New Yorkers, they should be your new favorite team.