Michael Cuddyer brings back Ya Gotta Believe

Matthew Cerrone, MetsBlog.com

In a post-game talk with reporters about his team’s talent and potential in 2015, Michael Cuddyer twice said, “Ya gotta believe.”

This made me smile, even if he’s unaware of the phrases significance.

I have always loved Tug McGraw‘s rally cry, which was popular in the ’70s, faded in the ’80s, returned in the late ’90s through 2006 and then suffered an absolute beating in late 2007 and 2008.

To me, “Ya Gotta Believe!” was the team brand, it defined the experience of being a Mets fan. It was an extension of the Miracle Mets, Game 6, the Grand Slam Single and so on. However, because of how 2007 and 2008 ended — in ways that were actually hard to believe — followed by…