Mets or the Yankees?

[Balticfox]

For decades I've been under the impression that in baseball there are two solitudes, Mets fans and Yankees fans, and never the twain can meet. Am I wrong?

[D. Bergin]

I'm from the New York side of CT and I like the Yankees and am completely ambivalent to the Mets.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

I'm from the New York side of CT, and I like the Yankees and am completely ambivalent to the Mets.

Well, apparently "ambivalent" doesn't mean what I think it means. Let's put it another way. I don't really care about the Mets.......or the Jets for that matter...one way or another.

Islanders, Rangers, Cosmos, Red Storm, Generals..........all in the same boat.

[Kevin]

The real fan, you pick a side. You can’t root for both teams. Islander-Rangers even more so. Only a fair weather fan will root for both teams…

[Carter08]

Mets fan from Upstate New York. Generally dislike the Yankees but the Braves and Phils are light years ahead in terms of teams I really hate.

[bk400]

Mets fan from the strong side of the Hudson (New Jersey, for the uninitiated). Same as Carter08 for me.

[cgjackson222]

As a kid from Long Island born in 1980, it was easy to like both the Mets AND the Yankees. The Mets for obvious reasons: '86 World Series, Strawberry, Gooden, etc.

The Yankees for obvious reasons: Mattingly, Henderson, Winfield, etc. My first big baseball card purchase was a Mattingly Rookie in like 1988.

Since the Mets and Yankees never played each other before interleague play, there was not much a conflict of interest.

But I lived less than an hour from Shea Stadium, and went to many games there. I never made the trek up to the Bronx.

So definitely foremost a Mets fan, but I'll take the Yankees over most teams in the AL.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I hate both, but I admit I liked Jeter and Rivera.

[bk400]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I hate both, but I admit I liked Jeter and Rivera.

I liked Mariano Rivera as well. Wasn't a fan of the preening Jeter. He was Travis Kelce in pinstripes.

[John1941]

I'm a third generation Yankees fan - my grandpa as an Italian-American from the Bronx grew up rooting for the Yankees of DiMaggio and Rizzuto. I don't hate the Mets, I'm just indifferent to them.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by bk400

I liked Mariano Rivera as well. Wasn't a fan of the preening Jeter. He was Travis Kelce in pinstripes.

LOL. He was clean, played hard, hit in the clutch, and handled the circus around him pretty well I thought.

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

LOL. He was clean, played hard, hit in the clutch, and handled the circus around him pretty well I thought.

Which also describes Kelce.

[packs]

In New York there are typically two types of people:

Yankees and Giants fans
Mets and Jets fans

It's weird to mix and match.

[frankbmd]

Who are Taylor and the Swifties backing? I’m for the other team even if I hate them and I do.

[SAllen2556]

The Yankees, to me, are like Comcast. I remember when Comcast had bullet-proof glass in their customer service centers because of the hatred toward them. But they had a monopoly and you had to deal with them if you wanted cable TV. If you want to win a World Series, you probably have to deal with the Yankees.

The Yankees have pretty much just purchased every pennant they've won since 1920. It started with Babe Ruth and hasn't stopped since. I don't even understand why people watched baseball in the 1950's. The draft helped, and the general incompetence of the Yankee organization has also helped. But they can still afford to buy pennants and take chances on over-priced free agents in hopes they might have one or two good years left - see Stanton, G., Clemens, R., etc.

They haven't developed a front-line starting pitcher since Andy Pettitte, and yet they make the playoffs every damn year. They won 4 of 5 World Series from 1996 to 2000 with one home-grown starter - Pettitte.

Blah!

The Mets are annoying, but not like the Yankees. The Mets' incompetence might even be greater than the Yankees - but at least their fans aren't as arrogant.

[butchie_t]

My answer is WHO???

[packs]

Originally Posted by SAllen2556

The Yankees, to me, are like Comcast. I remember when Comcast had bullet-proof glass in their customer service centers because of the hatred toward them. But they had a monopoly and you had to deal with them if you wanted cable TV. If you want to win a World Series, you probably have to deal with the Yankees.

The Yankees have pretty much just purchased every pennant they've won since 1920. It started with Babe Ruth and hasn't stopped since. I don't even understand why people watched baseball in the 1950's. The draft helped, and the general incompetence of the Yankee organization has also helped. But they can still afford to buy pennants and take chances on over-priced free agents in hopes they might have one or two good years left - see Stanton, G., Clemens, R., etc.

They haven't developed a front-line starting pitcher since Andy Pettitte, and yet they make the playoffs every damn year. They won 4 of 5 World Series from 1996 to 2000 with one home-grown starter - Pettitte.

Blah!

The Mets are annoying, but not like the Yankees. The Mets' incompetence might even be greater than the Yankees - but at least their fans aren't as arrogant.

If you recall the great dynasty teams of the 1990s and early 2000s, you're sure to remember the Core Four, four players drafted by the Yankees. You may also remember Bernie Williams, one of the greatest postseason players of all time. He only played for the Yankees. You may also remember Paul O'Neill, aka The Warrior, a totally unheralded one time All Star the Yankees traded for and made a legend in New York.

Aside from 2009, every championship team was built by Gene Michael, who put together those teams through savvy drafts and trades. You say only Andy Pettitte was a successful starter. That totally ignores pitchers like El Duque, one of the most successful postseason pitchers of all time, and Ramiro Mendoza, a totally home grown and essential pitcher on those teams.

The Yankees won because they had Gene Michael, not money.

Also, on this year's team alone, take a look at the starting rotation: Luis Gil, has only appeared in the MLB with the Yankees, Clarke Schmidt, drafted by the Yankees, Nestor Cortes, drafted by the Yankees.

[BobbyStrawberry]

I'm a Mets fan and I dislike the Yankees, but there are numerous teams I dislike more, including the Braves, Phillies, Red Sox and Astros.

[D. Bergin]

Before the days of Regional Sports Networks, it was Yankees on Channel 11 and the Mets on Channel 9. I believe we also had access to Channel 38 out of Boston for Red Sox games.

Channel 9 only came on if we were absolutely jonesing for baseball and the Yankees weren't already on. Channel 38 only came on if there was a pennant race in progress and we had to keep track on whether the Sox were losing or not.

No idea if those channels even exist anymore.

[ALR-bishop]

The Yankees won because they had Gene Michael, not money.

I guess it did not hurt that they had both

[packs]

Why though? Who were the monster free agents they signed? Jimmy Key? Darryl? Hideki Irabu and David Wells?

The Yankees traded for David Cone, Roger Clemens, Paul O'Neill, Tino Martinez, and Scott Brosius.

They had three home grown positional players at premium positions, shortstop, catcher and centerfield, and then had two more home grown players as their postseason ace and the best relief pitcher who ever lived.

If you want to say the Yankees bought one single championship in 2009, I might agree with you.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

Before the days of Regional Sports Networks, it was Yankees on Channel 11 and the Mets on Channel 9. I believe we also had access to Channel 38 out of Boston for Red Sox games.

Channel 9 only came on if we were absolutely jonesing for baseball and the Yankees weren't already on. Channel 38 only came on if there was a pennant race in progress and we had to keep track on whether the Sox were losing or not.

No idea if those channels even exist anymore.

WPIX 11 still exists. It switched from Yankees to Mets some years ago but I believe still occassionally broadcasts Mets games when they aren't on SNY.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by packs

In New York there are typically two types of people:

Yankees and Giants fans
Mets and Jets fans

It's weird to mix and match.

It falls along the lines, generally, as established teams versus expansion teams. Back in the day:

Islanders, Mets, Jets

or

Rangers, Yankees, Giants


Some of the younger fans refer to themselves as fans of “JIM” - (Jets, Isles, Mets).

[bk400]

Originally Posted by packs

In New York there are typically two types of people:

Yankees and Giants fans
Mets and Jets fans

It's weird to mix and match.

Not to speak for the entire state, but there seemed to be a lot of Mets and Giants fans in New Jersey -- particularly those who grew up in the mid-eighties and got to see the 1986 Mets and the 1986 Giants. The Giants, in particular, were the anti-Jets. Personified by Harry Carson, instead of Joe Namath. I'd go so far as to say that I didn't run into any Jets fans growing up -- it was Giants or Eagles.

[packs]

That tracks. New Jersey is a weird place. The Yankees were also pretty awful in the 80s.

[bk400]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

LOL. He was clean, played hard, hit in the clutch, and handled the circus around him pretty well I thought.

https://nypost.com/2024/10/14/sports...r-alcs-game-1/

Almost on cue! One of the reasons why people don't like the Yankees is because they are kind of the carpet bagger fan team.

I'm not saying that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce aren't diehard Yankees fans. They might be. But a lot of people like being part of a fan base that doesn't get appropriated by the private jet crowd.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by bk400

https://nypost.com/2024/10/14/sports...r-alcs-game-1/

Almost on cue! One of the reasons why people don't like the Yankees is because they are kind of the carpet bagger fan team.

I'm not saying that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce aren't diehard Yankees fans. They might be. But a lot of people like being part of a fan base that doesn't get appropriated by the private jet crowd.

They were probably in town for something else social or related to her career and Travis decided he wanted to see the game. I'm sick of them like everyone else but honestly for someone that high in the stratosphere she seems pretty decent.

[cgjackson222]

Originally Posted by bk400

Not to speak for the entire state, but there seemed to be a lot of Mets and Giants fans in New Jersey -- particularly those who grew up in the mid-eighties and got to see the 1986 Mets and the 1986 Giants. The Giants, in particular, were the anti-Jets. Personified by Harry Carson, instead of Joe Namath. I'd go so far as to say that I didn't run into any Jets fans growing up -- it was Giants or Eagles.

I'm not for NJ, but was born on Long Island in 1980, so the Mets and Giants were the best NY teams then, and are the ones I have always been big fans of. Just hard not to love the 80s Mets and the 80s/early 90s Giants.

[bk400]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

They were probably in town for something else social or related to her career and Travis decided he wanted to see the game. I'm sick of them like everyone else but honestly for someone that high in the stratosphere she seems pretty decent.

I like Taylor Swift also. I'd like her even more if, as a native of West Reading, PA, she showed up at a Phillies game or two. Maybe even a Phillies day game.

[SAllen2556]

Originally Posted by packs

Aside from 2009, every championship team was built by Gene Michael, who put together those teams through savvy drafts and trades. You say only Andy Pettitte was a successful starter. That totally ignores pitchers like El Duque, one of the most successful postseason pitchers of all time, and Ramiro Mendoza, a totally home grown and essential pitcher on those teams.

El Duque won a grand total of 61 games in 6 seasons with New York and had exactly one season with a WAR over 4. He had 2 pretty good years. Never an all-star. Ramiro Mendoza won 10 games once in a 10 year career with a 4.30 era. That’s all the home grown pitching you need to win 4 World Series in 5 years?

The 4 pitchers in ’96 with the most starts were Pettitte, Kenny Rogers, Dwight Gooden, Jimmy Key, and David Cone - none of whom came up with NY, except Pettitte.

In ’98 it’s Pettitte, Wells, Cone, and Hideki Irabu (who they stole from the Padres)
In 99 it’s the famous El Duque, Cone, Pettitte, and Clemens
In 2000 it’s Pettitte, Clemens, El Duque, Cone and Denny Neagle.

One really good home grown starter - Pettitte, and you win 4 titles in 5 years. Yeah, that's how every team does it....with the largest payroll in baseball.

Gene Michael had the luxury of buying a pitching staff to supplement his 3 home grown starters in the field. Big deal.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I thought Cone was a trade with Toronto?

[packs]

Ask anyone who watched El Duque pitch what they thought about him. He was 9-3 in the postseason for them. Ramiro Mendoza was the archetype for the modern middle reliever that is coveted by nearly everyone today. I agree the Yankees aren’t churning out number one starters but even in recent times they developed Chien-Ming Wang who won 19 games two years in a row before injury and Luis Severino is a very good pitcher as well.

This year Gil, Schmidt and Cortes were either drafted by the Yankees or have only played for the Yankees.

[Shoeless Moe]

Mets/Yankees buying Titles is nothing new.

Case in point 2024...

Top Payrolls:

1. Mets 318 Million
2. Yankees 309 Million
5. Dodgers 241 Million
23. Cleveland 107 Million

29. Pirates 85 Million
30. Oakland 63 Million

[bk400]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

Mets/Yankees buying Titles is nothing new.

Case in point 2024...

Top Payrolls:

1. Mets 318 Million
2. Yankees 309 Million
5. Dodgers 241 Million
23. Cleveland 107 Million

29. Pirates 85 Million
30. Oakland 63 Million

Perhaps, but I'd argue that the Mets are the more likeable of the two.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

Mets/Yankees buying Titles is nothing new.

Case in point 2024...

Top Payrolls:

1. Mets 318 Million
2. Yankees 309 Million
5. Dodgers 241 Million
23. Cleveland 107 Million

29. Pirates 85 Million
30. Oakland 63 Million

To be fair, many of the players the Mets are paying aren't even on the team anymore

[packs]

I echo the principle. It makes more sense to look at who is being paid. For example, 40 million dollars is set aside for Aaron Judge, a player they drafted in the first round and made a Yankee for life. That is supposed to be what every owner does. I find it increasingly strange that people would criticize the Yankees for keeping their own players, while also criticizing players for opting out and going to the highest spender.

[JollyElm]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but this breakdown of the two New York/Long Island fan groups is as close to 100% accurate as possible:

• Mets/Jets/Islanders
• Yankees/Giants/Rangers

With baseball, it was always the channel niners versus the channel eleveners...and I miss those halcyon days (Whoops! Needless show of emotion).

[Balticfox]

I've been a Yankee hater ever since I was a wee pup. When I became aware of baseball as a first grader in 1958-59, there was a very large contingent of Yankee fans among the big kids in the schoolyard. This of course pushed me in the opposite direction and I was first and foremost a fan of whoever was playing the Yankees through my formative years up to and including the 1964 World Series.

[Shoeless Moe]

2009 MLB Payrolls

1. Yankees - 201 million
2. Mets - 149 million
3. Cubs - 134 million
4. Red Sox - 121 million
15. Blue Jays - 80 million
28. Pirates - 48 million
29. Padres - 43 million
30. Marlins - 36 million


2008-2009 Free Agent Signings by dollar amount:

1. Mark Tiexeira - Yankees - 180 million
2. CC Sabathia - Yankees- 161 million
3. AJ Burnett - Yankees - 82.5 million
4. Dereck Lowe - Braves - 60 million
5. Ryan Dempster - Cubs - 52 million
6. Manny Ramirez - Dodgers - 45 million

[58pinson]

Favorite childhood memories -

1- Mazeroski breaking the hearts of all the Yankee fans in the apartment development.

Honorable mention to Lew Burdette for his 3 wins in the '57 Series.

My dislike has mellowed over the decades, but I still absolutely always root against them. The more heartbreaking the loss the better.

[Peter_Spaeth]

SMH at Derek Lowe.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Most satisfying Yankees losses. For me, probably the ALCS game 5 14 inning Sox win in 2004, after they had tied it (I think) in the 8th with a sac fly against Rivera.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by 58pinson

Favorite childhood memories -

1- Mazeroski breaking the hearts of all the Yankee fans in the apartment development.

Where was the apartment dvelopment?

[etsmith]

I think more friends hate the Yankees then the Mets, but that's because the Yankees are winners and the Mets aren't.

[tod41]

I have been a Met fan since 1974 when I was six years old. I despise the Yankees and will root against them every time. Every big Yankees fan despises the Mets too. In 1986, every big Yankee Fan I knew was rooting for the Red Sox.

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by John1941

I'm a third generation Yankees fan - my grandpa as an Italian-American from the Bronx grew up rooting for the Yankees of DiMaggio and Rizzuto. I don't hate the Mets, I'm just indifferent to them.

Originally Posted by bk400

I like Taylor Swift also. I'd like her even more if, as a native of West Reading, PA, she showed up at a Phillies game or two. Maybe even a Phillies day game.

Taylor could sing the National Anthem, proving she’s down to Earth as Peter says.

[bk400]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

Taylor could sing the National Anthem, proving she’s down to Earth as Peter says.

To her credit, she has performed our national anthem a number of times.

I'd love to see her have a Whitney Houston moment, but I don't think she's that type of vocalist (to be fair, though, no one is that type of vocalist. Whitney was the GOAT, IMHO).