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For many years, the Subway Series between the Yankees and Mets has been a series that I have circled on the proverbial calendar. No matter the relative fortunes of the two teams, it has always been fun to watch the teams meet to determine intra-city supremacy. Some of the more memorable moments of the 2009 season came against the Mets, with the dropped pop-up by Luis Castillo and Mariano Rivera’s first career RBI being particularly notable. Throw in the World Series from 2000, and this rivalry has produced plenty of indelible moments.
However, the players and managers of the Yankees have often lamented the fact that the series is usually a no-win situation for the Yankees, as they are expected to take each series against the typically lesser Mets and only a sweep will suffice in the minds of some fans. Artificial pressure is infused into games that hold no more significance, and likely less, than a mid-June series with the Royals or Indians. Players who fail against the Mets get tagged with the “cannot win in big spots” label, while a 2-1 series win is often shrugged off as denoting a club that is simply fulfilling expectations.
With this seasons Subway Series upon us, I realized that I am experiencing a similar ambivalence to the matchup. When I posted my thoughts on this on Twitter, noting that these games are not big games just because the opponent is the Mets, a number of fans from both sides of the rivalry concurred. Artificial pressure added to a not particularly meaningful series that comes while both clubs are struggling leads me to view these three tilts as annoyances rather than exciting events. Bragging rights are not currently on the line, simply because no matter what happens in these two series, the Yankees will be fighting for a playoff spot and the Mets are unlikely to contend. In a way, the Castillo play from last season symbolizes the direction this rivalry has taken, heading from a compelling matchup to a quirky sideshow. The Subway Series seems to have lost a lot of luster, and I think only a move towards contention by the Mets could solve that. Even then, the drama would likely be born out of a matchup of 2 strong clubs rather than any inherent tension in this rivalry. Right now, with the current state of the two teams, I’m just not that into it.
How about you?
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9 Responses to Discussion: Has The Subway Series Lost Its Luster?
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TIQ IQ
I for one don’t think it ever had luster in the first place, but perhaps that’s just the cranky old man in me.
I never really minded it, and I do think that the series had some buzz at the turn of the century, and fed off of that for a while. Then the Mets got Pedro and got good again, and that sustained it a bit. Now, there just isnt anything compelling about it.
Through the late 90s this match-up had some definite intrigue and at time full blow excitement. But it, like my interest in interleague play in general, has been waning at an increasing rate ever since. At this point I’d prefer if teams played their full 162 games within their respective leagues.
Good question. In the past I would look forward to this matchup and circle the dates on the calendar, not so much anymore. But, once the games start, my juices start flowing and I get more excited about this series then lets say the Twins or Angels. Part of that is driven by several of my Met fan friends who will text/call me and claim, “The Mets are the Best team in NY..blah blah”, which is silly. But despite not being rationale, that NY city “rivalry” does give this series extra juice. So right now at 3:30pm, I’m not overly excited but come first pitch I’m sure I will be.
The whole inter-league thing is stupid. The intrigue is gone I would rather see the Yankees play More American league Central and West teams than this joke. Baseball really needs to rethink the schedule and divisions as a whole since it always appears that a really mediocre team gets in the playoffs from both leagues. Go back to just East and West with two wild cards and stoop all this nonsense.
And put Milwaukee back in the AL where it belongs.
I kind of enjoy the subway series. I think that it is more successful than other inter league but I also think that some of the other schedules make it look rough. Overall though I like watching the Yankees play the Mets.
The luster of the series is proportional to the parity of the teams. The Yankees may be slumping, but the Mets are just awful, and the problems won’t go away until there are changes made at the top.
I still think its fun. The Castillo game last year was a gem, as was Mo’s 500th. And they were more special because it was the Mets.
And its still fun to rib your coworkers without enough sense to root for a good team.
I think it’s fun, and would be much, much more fun if the Mets were a better team.
For the folks who don’t like it, would you rather play the A’s or Mariners again?