MLB

My girl! Francisco Lindor shines after Temptations perform epic live rendition of new Mets anthem

The Temptations helped provide Francisco Lindor and the Mets some much-needed sunshine following a cloudy day. 

With the Motown legends performing both the national anthem and his walk-up song “My Girl” before Game 5, Lindor reached base safely three times — including an RBI triple in a five-run third inning — as the Mets stayed alive in the NLCS with a 12-6 victory Friday night over the Dodgers

Afterward, Lindor lamented not being able to meet the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers because he was preparing to play, but he was shown on the scoreboard smiling and singing along while warming up in the outfield. 

“It was an amazing moment, to be quite honest,” Lindor said afterward. “Most players pick a walk-up song just because that’s how they feel at the moment, but we also want the fans to vibe to a song. Whenever you see the whole crowd getting into it, I think it’s pretty cool. 

The Temptations perform before Game 5 of the NLCS on Friday night at Citi Field. AP
The Temptations perform what has become Francisco Lindor’s walk-up song. AP
The Temptations hung out with Mr. Met. Peter Botte/NY Post

“So having The Temptations here singing the national anthem and then singing the song, one of their biggest hits, and seeing how the crowd got behind it, it was pretty cool.” 

Otis Williams, a founding member of the group more than six decades ago, said the Temps were “honored” and “thrilled” to be asked to perform both songs. 

The Citi Field crowd croons along to their first No. 1 single — which was released in December of 1964 — as Lindor approaches the plate before every at-bat. 

Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets hits a single during the first inning in NLS Game 5. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

“It’s not something we ever would imagine would take place, and it’s a wonderful feeling,” Williams told The Post. “It shows you the beauty of music. Music can get in all of the little nooks and crannies of life and become something very special. 


Follow The Post’s coverage of the Mets’ playoff run:


“When we were told that this young man wanted them to use it as he was coming up [to bat], it took on another hue. … I never would have imagined that this song would take on that kind of life form now.” 

The 82-year-old Williams is the only living original member of the quintet, with Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks all gone for 25 years or more. 

But Williams has continued to tour with various lineups through the decades, including the current group consisting of Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Tony Grant and Jawan M. Jackson. 

Francisco Lindor lit a spark for the Mets. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

“I’ll tell you something, I don’t ever take it for granted,” Williams said. “There’s a special reason, there’s a special meaning for this group to carry on 62 years later.” 

Weeks said he had scholarship offers in baseball, but instead accepted a football scholarship to Tennessee.

And Jackson, who lives in New York, said his “phone has been blowing up since the news dropped” of their performance in Flushing earlier this week. 

Asked if any members of the group were baseball fans, Tyson chimed in: “We are now. Now we’re all Mets fans.”