The late Johnny Ramone’s Yankee worship aside, I remain puzzled why the Mets refuse to acknowledge Flushing’s other important cultural export. The New York Daily News’ Adam Rubin, however, focuses on a prank that was played out months ago. Maybe Jimmy Carter can supervise future Mets polls to ensure the team doesn’t have the results rigged?
The Mets will have a runoff to determine their new eighth-inning sing-along tune. The organization received five million votes at mets.com after inviting fans to choose from among 10 selections to potentially replace “Sweet Caroline.” An issue arose, however, when Fark.com readers bombarded the Mets with gag votes for a write-in candidate: Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up.”
The Astley tune actually won.
Rather than commit to that as the new eighth-inning song since it probably doesn’t reflect the fan base’s wishes, the Mets will play the top six selections once apiece during the first six games of their home stand. The one that draws the largest crowd response will stick. The other songs that made the cut, in descending vote order: “Livin’ on a Prayer,” Bon Jovi; “I’m a Believer,” the Monkees; “Movin’ Out,” Billy Joel; “Sweet Caroline,” Neil Diamond; and “Build Me Up Buttercup,” the Foundations.
Mets officials suggested the initial results didn’t necessarily force the runoff, saying the rules stipulated Internet voters would “help decide” the outcome.