Acce s the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Danny Jansen Jersey Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. As the flailing Mets look to close out a playoff berth over the final two weeks of the regular season, they can point to a similar team in franchise history. No, not the 2007 collapse that saw the Mets flush a seven-game lead over the Phillies with 17 to play. Instead, they must try to party like its 1999 all over again. Managed by Bobby Valentine, the 99 Mets ended up advancing to the NLCS, but only after losing eight of nine games in late September and barely qualifying for the playoffs by winning a one-game playoff against the Reds. Bobby Valentine in a pre s conference before the game when the New York Mets played the Texas Rangers Friday, September 12, 2025 at Citi Field in Queens, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post That 99 club interestingly also was similar to last years squad that reached the NLCS under first-year manager Carlos Mendoza in that it opened the season with a middling 27-28 record before embarking on a 40-15 run to get back into the race. Yeah, I was going to text Carlos a month ago and tell him to predict 40 and 15 or Ill quit, Valentine joked before Fridays series opener against the Rangers. As we experienced as a team, collectively and individually, when things go wrong, its because distractions have entered the room Bobby Valentine of the New York Mets during a Spring Training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 7, 1999. Sporting News via Getty Images Explore More But when that distraction is there, somehow you gotta eliminate it. And the biggest distraction you have in this town is winning, and somehow youve got to get them back to playing. And that distraction of winning has got to be combated in this town. Its got to be dealt with more strongly, right? Its a tough busine s, its a tough place to play, unle s you just go and play. Then its just the same game if you just go and play. CHECK OUT THE AND Mendozas team is limping to the finish line with a 14-28 mark since July 28 including a four-game sweep this week by the Phillies and now holds a razor-thin half-game lead over the Giants in the battle for the NLs final wild-card berth. Edgardo Alfonzo agreed with Valentine during a pregame news conference also with former double-play partner Rey Ordonez ahead of Saturdays Alumni Cla sic festivities at Citi Field. Mets catcher Todd Pratt gets a hug from manager Bobby Valentine (R) as he walks towards the dugout after his tenth inning home run to win game 4 and the series in the National League Division Series in 1999. AFP via Getty Images You have to play, yeah, you gotta fight, said Alfonzo, who the Mets announced will be inducted into their Latin-American Hall of Fame. Just to piggyback a little bit with what Bobby says, we had this tough time in 99 and 2000. It sort of sucks when everythings going bad and you try to do your best and nothings coming out of it. But at the same time you have to be positive. You have to believe. I was talking to Carlos, and said its bad that youre going through this bad stretch right now and its getting to the end of the season, but on the other side, you have to believe that those guys can do the job. When you play together, everything seems, like, perfect. But this is what we want this team to start doing from now on. Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Valentine added that he really liked what I heard from Mendoza in that regard while seated in the back of the room during the current managers pregame availability. So Fonzie talked to Carlos, and you listened to Carlos, and five times Carlos sat up here and he mentioned the word trust, Valentine said. Thats what hes talking about, that you gotta believe. Edgardo Alfonzo, Rey Ordonez and Bobby Valentine in a pre s conference before the game when the New York Mets played the Texas Rangers Friday, September 12, 2025 at Citi Field in Queens, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post The end is whats going to happen. Its at the end of the game, in the season, in life. You gotta believe as youre going through it, that you got the right roadmap. Brett Anderson Jersey