Ban the Subway Series: The Local Teams just Aren't that Good Anyway

Those of you that know me understand that I am NOT a big fan of inter-league play. Having the AL and NL play one another during the season cheapens the All Star Game and the World Series. Old timers remember the days when the Big Apple had three teams and you could argue ad infinitum who was better: Hence the song, 'Willie, Mickey & The Duke.' I loved the idea of mystery that matchups you can only imagine never actually happen except on the diamonds of our minds. It keeps the game fresh and the anticipation worth it IF your team is lucky enough to reach the Fall Classic.

That idea of mystery is really gone with the Mets and Yankees. Did you know that Andy Pettitte is 7-4 lifetime against the Mets? An AMERICAN LEAGUE pitcher has faced the Mets 19 times. (yes, that includes Andy facing the Mets in the last REAL Subway Series in 2000) By definition, a Subway Series is:

A World Series competition between two teams in the same city, most notably in New York, where subways dominate transportation. Since the modern Series began in 1903, 14 times the Yanks have played the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants and in 2000 the Mets for baseball's world title.

The modern use of the term "Subway Series" is a media and MLB created term to generate excitement in the city. Like hating the DH, I will always be in the minority here. Why should the Mets face the Yankees 6 times when the rest of their divisional opponents don't? You don't think Terry Francona would love to see his Red Sox face Mets pitching 6 times?

The object of a team's season is to win its division or league's wild card to reach your league's playoff format. Now, the Pirates and Cardinals are in NL Central. Why should the Cards face the Red Sox but NOT the Yankees in 'inter-league' play? By doing that, two teams fighting in the same division DON'T face the same competition. Not fair.

The way Gotham's teams are playing WHO wants to see the Yankees and Mets play? If you get to the Bombers starting pitching early, their relief core has the soft underbelly of a fluke. Just gut, grill and eat. The bloom has come off the rose of Darrell Rasner, who suddenly looks like the career minor leaguer he most likely is.

As for the Mets, Jerry Manuel can be touchy feely and everybody's friend and all the fiery stuff Willie Randolph wasn't, but the team continues to go through the motions of baseball's version of the Death March to Baatan. Douglas MacArthur would have sailed away from this group long ago, and NEVER returned.

Really, is there any confidence or certainty that either team will see October baseball? Especially on the Mets side, no. There's a good chance that the Mets next 12 games or so against the Yankees, Phillies and Cardinals will seal the coffin on the Mets' season. Unless Pelfrey and Perez (UGH!) pitch and there is more consistent hitting, they are done. The Yankees staff is not quality outside of Rivera as the closer. Did you know that in nearly a third of their games this season the Yankees have scored two runs or less?

The saving grace for both teams: Parity. But the Mets better hope they don't lose pace with the Phillies. Yankee fans are praying the Twins, Rays and BoSox fall back a bit. Otherwise, the Hot Stove League could start while there are still leaves on the trees in NewYork.