In a stunning disregard for tradition, in the final game at Shea Stadium, the New York Mets didn't hold true to their roots.

The rally cap has been a baseball tradition for years serving as a good luck icon for the losing team during a baseball game. You can find such a cap at Little League games, high school games, and at all levels of professional baseball.

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So where did the idea originate? The great year of 1986. The Mets were playing the Boston Red Sox in the World Series. The Mets were trailing the Sox in game six, already down 3 games to 2 in the series. In the 7th inning for some unknown reason the entire Mets dugout turned their hats inside out and backwards in support of a rally. Soon the fans caught on also turning their hats inside out and backwards. Then the amazing happened. The Mets began to score run-after-run eventually winning the game and forcing the 1986 World Series to a game 7. The Mets rally continued, blowing the Red Sox away in game 7 and winning the World Series that year. Since then, the rally cap has been a baseball tradition and continues to be used as a late game secret weapon.

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They were eventually eliminated from playoff contention as they lost their final game to the Florida Marlins 4-2. Not a single rally cap was spotted in the Mets dugout during the game, but rally caps were a common sight in the stands late in the game.

I mean c'mon if the roles had been reversed HadMatter would've gladly made a rally  beer run.

I always thought the New York teams were about tradition, then again, when you buy expensive free agents every year, it's hard to hand down traditions.

Of course, if the Mets had resorted to the rally caps, like they should, it wouldn't have mattered - The Marlins were there to win.  But at least they could've tried.