Mets “Ya Gotta Believe” slogan now adorns a Phillies wall

Yes, you read the title correctly. The Mets slogan since 1973 is now on a wall of the Philadelphia Phillies’ Spring Training complex.

Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida received some new decorations to greet the Phillies as they arrived at Spring Training. They do look pretty cool. But there’s one thing that stands out… and looks a bit familiar to Mets fans.

Ya Gotta Believe.

You know, the Mets slogan. The rallying cry since 1973.

No, just no. What are you thinking, Phillies? Yes, I know that McGraw was traded down to Philadelphia in December of 1974. And yes, as the New York Times pointed out, McGraw used the phrase after leaving Queens and as Philly.com pointed out, he resurrected it during the Phillies’ 1980 World Series win. Keyword: resurrected. The phrase was coined by McGraw while on the Mets — about the team and about their fans.

So COME ON PHILLIES. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

Even the Mets had something to say about this:

This is all absurd to me, and of course to most Mets fans in general. How can you take another team’s slogan — their motto — and put it on your walls, especially when that team is your divisional rival?

Say the phrase “Ya Gotta Believe” to any baseball fan — Mets fan or not — and I guarantee they associate it with the Mets. Maybe not if you ask a Phillies fan now, though, but you all know what I’m saying.

Next: Wheeler felt tenderness in elbow during last bullpen session

In all honesty, why would you want another team’s slogan on your wall anyway? Are you going to tell me that all of these Phillies players who are going to walk by this wall and see “Ya Gotta Believe” aren’t going to think of the Mets?

This is one weird way of getting your team amped up for the season.