NEW YORK — Otis Williams, the iconic founder of the Temptations, recently shared a light-hearted admission about his loyalty to baseball. When questioned about his interest in the sport, the 82-year-old quickly responded, albeit in a playful, musical tone: “Dodgers.”
Sixty years after its initial release, the Temptations’ classic hit “My Girl” has experienced a resurgence at Citi Field, particularly since it became the walk-up song for New York Mets player Francisco Lindor late in May. The atmosphere is infectious, with fans continuing to sing along to the familiar tune even as Lindor steps up to bat.
On an off day from their concert tour, the Temptations made a special trip to New York to perform both “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “My Girl” prior to Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, which featured a matchup between the Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Williams expressed his gratitude, noting that performing for passionate fans is the ultimate honor. He reflected on the experience from a green room situated behind home plate, remarking on the significance of the moment.
Dressed in blue tuxedos accented with orange pocket squares, the five members of the group delivered an impressive a cappella rendition of the national anthem. Their harmonious vocals resonated throughout the stadium, catching the attention of Lindor, who joined in from the foul line near first base.
The performance continued with the Temptations donning Mets jerseys for a rendition of “My Girl,” accompanied by the song’s backing track. While Lindor warmed up on the field, he enjoyed the music, visibly delighted as he bobbed his head to the rhythm. He even shared a brief dance with teammate Pete Alonso as the performance concluded.
Originally released on December 21, 1964, “My Girl” quickly became the Temptations’ first No. 1 hit by March of the following year and has amassed over a billion streams on Spotify. Williams recalled an impactful moment during a 1965 performance at Harlem’s Apollo Theater, where the audience reacted overwhelmingly to the absence of “My Girl.” He acknowledged how crucial the song was to their identity as artists.
Lindor chose the beloved track due to its significance for his daughters, Kalina and Amapola, as noted by the Mets organization. The song itself was crafted by the creative talents of Smokey Robinson and Ronnie White. Williams reminisced about how Robinson first expressed his belief that the Temptations would excel with the song, recalling their studio sessions where he sensed its potential for greatness.
In the months following the release of “My Girl,” Williams was thrilled to receive congratulatory messages from both the Supremes and the Beatles, a testament to the song’s impact. The Temptations, recognized for their remarkable catalog, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, having achieved 14 No. 1 hits and 42 songs that reached the top 10.
Noticing Lindor’s use of “My Girl,” Sujata Murthy, the executive vice president of media and artist relations at Universal Music Enterprises, reached out to the Mets to facilitate the Temptations’ visit. The group altered their schedule after a recent concert in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, to stop by New York before heading to upcoming performances in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Durham, North Carolina.
As the last original member of the Temptations, Williams has no plans for retirement as he approaches his 83rd birthday on October 30. His enthusiasm for continuing to perform remains steadfast. “I tell people I’m going to ride the hell out of the horse,” he quipped. “When I get off the horse, it’s going to be bald. That’s a lot of rides when you ride the horse bald.”
Despite growing up in Detroit, Williams’s allegiance lies elsewhere as he humorously cast aside loyalty to the local baseball team, stating, “Tigers is flimflam.” However, he expressed optimism for the Detroit Lions, emphasizing that he still considers himself a Detroiter at heart, despite residing in Los Angeles.