Baseball fever is sweeping through New York as both the Yankees and Mets have advanced to their respective league championship series, raising the possibility of a Subway Series showdown, the first since the 2000 World Series. It’s the first time in 24 years that both teams have reached this stage of the postseason together.
Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo shared his excitement about the chance of an all-New York World Series, calling it a dream scenario that would electrify the city and be remembered for years to come.
“I don’t even know what the city would do, man. It would just almost explode,” Nimmo told when asked about the possibility of another Subway Series on Friday. “It would be a blast, there’s no question about it. Like, it would be a dream kind of scenario. So, I would enjoy the heck out of it and it would be a story that you would tell for the rest of your life.”
The Mets earned their spot in the National League Championship Series by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies and will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in a best-of-seven series starting Sunday. Meanwhile, the Yankees, fresh off their American League Division Series win, are set to begin their ALCS campaign at Yankee Stadium on Monday, waiting for the result of the Cleveland-Detroit series to determine their opponent.
Yankees star Aaron Judge is looking forward to the electric atmosphere the playoffs will bring to the city, with the possibility of games happening every day between Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and Citi Field in Queens from Monday through Friday next week.
“It’s going to be exciting,” the Yankees captain remarked, “It’s going to be a fun time in New York, man. They’re (Mets) having a great season, and it’s going to be fun to look forward to, down the road, getting a chance to face them again.”
Judge stressed the importance of the Yankees’ current postseason opportunity, expressing optimism about their chances to finally break through and capture a pennant. His remarks underscore both personal and team ambitions, as the Yankees aim to overcome recent playoff challenges and create another chapter in New York baseball history.
Nimmo also highlighted the significance of both teams being in contention, reflecting on New York’s rich baseball tradition and the growing excitement among fans. The success of both clubs has reignited the city’s passion for the sport, creating an atmosphere of anticipation for a potential historic postseason in the Big Apple.
“I think it’s amazing that we have two New York teams left,” he said. “New York has always seemed like a baseball town to me, and so the vibe that’s going around here right now is unbelievable, and definitely feeling the high that the city is on.”
AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
Legend backs New York’s dream of Yankees-Mets World Series
Former MLB pitcher Doc Gooden, who celebrated World Series victories with both the Mets and Yankees, believes New York City is primed for another Subway Series. Now 59, Gooden remarked on the unexpected prospect of both teams reaching this stage when the season began.
Gooden’s perspective was shaped by his championship experiences with the Mets in 1986 and the Yankees in 2000, the latter marking the last Subway Series. He was in attendance at Citi Field when Francisco Lindor’s grand slam propelled the Mets into the National League Championship Series.
The Yankees, meanwhile, clinched their 19th ALCS berth with a victory over the Kansas City Royals, bolstered by Gerrit Cole’s dominant performance. They now await the winner of the Cleveland-Detroit series to determine their ALCS opponent.
The Mets, who advanced to the NLCS with Lindor’s heroics, are preparing to face either the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Diego Padres, depending on the outcome of their series.
With both New York teams thriving, the possibility of another Subway Series has reignited excitement across the city, bringing the postseason to life for fans hoping for a historic showdown.
Subway Series dream gaining traction
Yankees
Both the Yankees and Mets advancing to their respective League Championship Series is a rare feat, happening only for the third time in the 55-year history of LCS play. The previous instances were in 1999 and 2000, with the latter culminating in the iconic Subway Series.
That 2000 World Series, a five-game battle, left a lasting mark on New York baseball fans. Bernie Williams‘ catch of Mike Piazza’s fly ball in Game 5 sealed the championship for the Yankees, fueling nostalgia for a time when New York baseball ruled October.
This kind of local rivalry dates back to the era before league expansion, when New York teams frequently dominated the Fall Classic. Between 1949 and 1957, the city’s teams appeared in nearly every World Series, providing a thrill for local fans, even if it drew less interest from the rest of the nation.
In recent years, World Series appearances by New York teams have been more elusive. Despite their rich history, the Yankees have struggled in the ALCS, failing to advance in their last five trips, including three during Judge’s tenure.
AP Photo/Adam Hunger
The Yankees’ recent Division Series win stands in stark contrast to their difficult 2022 season, where they were hampered by injuries and a demanding schedule. Manager Aaron Boone reflected on those past struggles, emphasizing the team’s improved health and readiness this year as they advance deeper into the postseason.
He expressed optimism about his team’s current form but acknowledged the intense competition that awaits. Boone praised the Yankees’ resilience, particularly their ability to pull out tight victories when needed.
“In ’22 we kind of limped into it a little bit,” the Yankees manager. “I remember getting into Houston middle of the night — not an excuse, but I feel like we’re in a better place right now, just from a roster standpoint, health standpoint. But you get to this point, now we’ll be down to the final four. Everyone is feeling pretty good about their teams. That’s the case for me.”
The Mets have shown similar grit, staging multiple comeback wins throughout their playoff run. Their success, alongside the Yankees’, has sparked speculation about a potential Subway Series, a scenario that would come with an array of compelling storylines.
A World Series clash between the Yankees and Mets would highlight the contrasting leadership styles of managers Aaron Boone and Carlos Mendoza, Boone’s former bench coach now at the helm of the Mets. It would also draw attention to the differing approaches of team owners Hal Steinbrenner and Steve Cohen, as well as the blend of homegrown stars and marquee acquisitions on both rosters.
AP
Adding to the intrigue is the local connection, as several players on both teams hail from the New York area. The prospect of an all-New York World Series would carry extra weight for the city’s passionate baseball fanbase, with both sides eager for bragging rights.
Mendoza, in his first year managing the Mets after a long stint with the Yankees, expressed excitement at the idea of facing his former team. He noted that a Subway Series would be a monumental event for both baseball and New York City, should the teams continue their postseason runs.
After the Yankees’ victory over the Royals, Mendoza reached out to congratulate his former colleagues, underscoring the unique dynamics at play in a potential cross-town rivalry. The anticipation surrounding a possible Yankees-Mets showdown continues to build, adding an extra layer of drama to this year’s playoffs.
The Yankees have advanced to their 19th American League Championship Series, though they’ve been unable to capture a pennant since their 2009 World Series win. Carlos Mendoza, now managing the Mets, acknowledged the Yankees’ strength, commending their leadership, roster depth, and overall performance.
The Mets, meanwhile, have secured their ninth trip to the National League Championship Series, their first since 2015, as they chase their third World Series title, the last of which came in 1986.
During the regular season, the Mets dominated the Yankees in the Subway Series, sweeping all four games with a clear scoring advantage. Yankees star Aaron Judge praised the Mets for their strong season and hinted at the possibility of exciting future matchups between the two clubs.
AP Photo/Gregory Bull
The talk of a potential Subway Series brings back memories of the 2000 World Series when the Yankees bested the Mets. That matchup held historical significance, as it was the first all-New York World Series since 1956 when Don Larsen pitched a perfect game for the Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Both New York teams are currently operating with the highest payrolls in Major League Baseball, each surpassing the $300 million mark. This financial muscle comes after a disappointing 2023 season, where both the Yankees and Mets missed the playoffs—a rare occurrence for either team in recent history.
Mendoza described the excitement surrounding the potential for an all-New York World Series as a “dream come true” for the city and its passionate fans. However, he stressed the importance of focusing on the present challenges, recognizing that both teams still have significant hurdles to overcome before that dream can become reality.
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