On August 30, 1973, the New York Mets were “in last place, 6 1/2 games out of first.” They won 21 of their last 29 games, took the division on the last day, beat the Cincinnati Reds for the pennant and lost the World Series in Game 7. Their rallying cry was “You Gotta Believe.”
Their manager, Yogi Berra, is remembered for saying “It ain’t over till it’s over” that season. The press of the time shows other words. On September 4, 1973, the New York Post quoted him: “Yeah, it’s running out, but you’re still not out of it until it’s automatic.”