THE METROPOLITAN NEWSLETTER

Issue #29!

July 1, 2003

In the great city, New York, two teams live, the Mets and the Yankees. However, it is no equal share of the city as the Yankees have more fans, more money, more championships and most importantly, more head-to-head wins against their cross-town rivals.

Sure the Mets have beaten the Yankees a few times, including a couple of dramatic wins. However, they have always lived in the shadow of the Bronx Bombers, especially after they lost the 2000 World Series to them, 4 games to 1. The Mets fans also live in the shadows as their big bullies, the Yankees fans, constantly rip on them, even at their own home park, about being the inferior New York club.

Sound familiar? Ask some of your elders, who rooted for the team that played in Brooklyn 46 years ago, about whether or not this rings a bell.

That’s right, them bums, the Brooklyn Dodgers had a major problem with the New York Yankees. Of course, back then there was no such thing as interleague play, however, the two teams played a total of 44 games (all in the World Series) with the Yankees winning 27 of them, good for a .614 winning percentage. The two did battle for the championship seven times with the Bombers coming out on top six of those times. The Dodgers won their lone championship in 1955.

Of course, Brooklyn could have won more, but somehow, there was always Yankee magic in the air that kept them from winning it all.

Forget 1941. The Yanks were too good with Joe DiMaggio, Bill Dickey and Red Ruffing. Brooklyn kept the games close, but they stood no chance. New York won in five.

In 1947 though, Brooklyn took the Yanks to a game seven and briefly led that game, but were defeated by the outstanding relief pitching of Joe Page, who got the win. It was a tough loss for Brooklyn, who came back from a 2-0 series deficit to force game seven.

In 1949, people were expecting the Dodgers to win. With a lineup that included Roy Campanella, Gil Hodges, Duke Snider, Carl Furillo, Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson, who would doubt that they could win? However, the Yankees just played better baseball as none of those great Brooklyn hitters could do much. The first two games were pitchers’ duels, but the Yanks broke out the bats, including ten runs in the series clinching fifth game. It truly was no contest.

In 1952, the Dodgers blew it big time, but what a series it was. It amounted to a series-long duel between Brooklyn rookie reliever, Joe Black, who became a starter for the series, and Yankees ace Allie Reynolds. Black bested Reynolds in game 1, 4-2. Reynolds then pitched the game of his life, allowing only 4 hits, in a 2-0 shutout in game four, tying the series at two. The Dodgers then won game five in the eleventh inning thanks to Snider’s RBI double. Now, the Dodgers were on their way home with a 3-2 series lead. However, Mickey Mantle ruined Brooklyn’s championship dream with an eighth inning homer. Reynolds closed the game and tied the series at three. In game seven, Black pitched one more time, but the Dodgers just could not get hits in key spots and the Yanks won, 4-1 to win the title.

In 1953, Brooklyn came in with 105 regular season wins, but they were for naught. The Yanks won the first two games, forcing the Dodgers to come back, which they did. Led by Snider, they tied the series and looked to win game five at home. However, it all came crashing down on Brooklyn as Gene Woodling led off the game with a home run. Mickey Mantle, Billy Martin and Gil McDougald all homered as well in an 11-7 drubbing that was not as close as the score indicates. Back at the stadium in game six, the Dodgers battled coming back from an early 3-0 deficit to tie the game in the ninth on a Furillo home run. The Dodgers seemed to have life, but it didn’t matter. A walk and a single brought Martin to the plate, and he smacked a single up the middle, scoring Hank Bauer and ending the World Series.

Up until then, the fans of Brooklyn kept muttering, "Wait until next year." Up until then, every year was another disappointment. If they didn’t make the World Series, it was a bad season. If they did, it was a heartbreaking loss the men from the Bronx. Nothing seemed to work for "them bums" until next year rolled around.

1955, the year no one in Brooklyn will forget. Of course, at the beginning of the series, it was business as usual; the Yankees won the first two games on the strength of Joe Collins’ two game one homers and the sparkling pitching of Tommy Byrne in game two. Brooklyn then returned the favor with three consecutive convincing wins at home, 8-3, 8-5 and 5-3. Snider homered three times in those three wins. Once again, Brooklyn had the series lead needing only one more win to seal the victory. However, Whitey Ford held off the celebration as he pitched his heart out and gave the Yanks a 5-1 win. Thus, game seven. Johnny Podres was handed the ball in game seven and he did not disappoint. He shutout the Yankees with the help of a great catch by defensive replacement, Sandy Amoros. The last batter was Elston Howard and he grounded to Reese who threw to Hodges for Brooklyn’s first championship and their first series victory over their rivals. It was Brooklyn’s greatest moment. They had finally beaten the Yankees.

Of course, the Yankees would not let that happen to them again. In 1956, they played yet again, the seventh and final World Series meeting between the city opponents. This time, Brooklyn took the first two games including a 13-8 game two victory. However, the Yanks would not be denied. After tying the series, Don Larsen went out in game five in front of 64,519 fans and pitched what could be considered the greatest game ever. He pitched to 27 Dodgers and got each of them out. Larsen threw a perfect game, in the World Series no less. His amazing performance gave the Yankees a 3-2 series lead. Brooklyn won a thrilling game six thanks to Robinson’s tenth inning game winning hit, but could not carry the momentum to game seven. In the final game between Brooklyn and New York, the Bombers went out and proved how dominant they were against their rivals. Moose Skowron, Howard and the immortal Yogi Berra homered (Berra twice) and Johnny Kucks allowed only three Brooklyn hits giving the Yanks a 9-0 win and another World Series championship.

7 World Series meetings, 44 games, 4 thrilling game sevens, homers by all sorts of legends, shutouts, perfect games, defensive brilliance, ballparks filled with crazy fans…the Dodgers and Yankees battled it out. The Yankees dominated, but for Brooklyn, next year did finally come.

Nowadays, it is the Mets and the Yankees. It doesn’t really come close to what baseball had 50 years ago, but the Mets always give the Yankees a run for their money. The 2000 Series, albeit only five games, was one of the better championship contests in the last ten years. However, as all the fans know, the Yankees own the Mets. They run this city and will continue to. That is until next year comes.

Now on to the task at hand: fixing the New York Mess. Don’t think that this team is completely bad, because there are a bunch of players on this team that are good or have bright futures. However, moves must be made.

Start by trading Roberto Alomar, Armando Benitez and Rey Sanchez. Alomar is one of the biggest disappointment in Mets history as he has taken a dive both offensively and defensively. He plays as if he doesn’t care. The Mets should trade him to anyone who is willing to take him. Benitez has blown too many important games for the Mets and has to go. Ironically, he has the most value because he does save many games. The Mets should first inquire with Seattle about pitcher, Rafael Soriano. If the Mariners don’t want to give up that much, see if the Red Sox will give up Brandon Lyon and a Double A prospect.

The next move would be to cut Roger Cedeno loose. He’s due $10 million through 2005, but his horrendous defense, his inability to hit the ball and his lack of super speed that he once had make him one of the most overpaid albatrosses in history. He also seems to not care about his production. I say, give him his money and find someone else to play.

Consider the starting rotation set. Al Leiter and Tom Glavine are old, but experienced and will rebound from their poor seasons, Glavine especially. He’s too good to be this bad right now. Steve Trachsel has his ups and downs, but he’s good for 10-12 wins. Aaron Heilman and Jae Seo are the youngsters and have major potential. Seo has crossed up hitters all season while Heilman has the capability of fooling hitters with his moving fastball and spiraling splitter. Those five should be a good starting staff.

Mike Piazza will be back with the Mets. Wilpon would be foolish to let the franchise, the star of the team be traded away. The fans are in love with him and there is no question that when healthy, he is a dangerous hitter. His only problem is, of course, his defense. He can’t catch anymore so it’s time for him to start playing first base. Now, everyone says that he should play there full time. I say, the Mets need to cover themselves defensively from time to time. Therefore, let Piazza, Jason Phillips and Vance Wilson share the duties. They each can catch 33% of the games and they won’t lose a whole lot on offense, because both Phillips and Wilson can handle the bat. Piazza and Phillips can share first base as well (Wilson too if he learns the position). That way, Piazza learns first, the Mets only have to see him there every so often, Piazza can catch on occasion and break the home run record for catchers, and Phillips and Wilson will see major league at-bats. Believe it or not, it’s a win-win situation.

Ty Wigginton is a gamer and has improved both offensively and defensively. Pencil him at third. Jose Reyes may only be 20, but he has the ability and now is his time. He will struggle on occasion, but soon enough he’ll prove to be an offensive threat. He’s got speed and defense too. He’ll shine in New York for a long time. Cliff Floyd is a solid outfielder. I give him all the credit in the world for playing hurt all the time. The bullpen will have three locks: Mike Stanton, Dave Weathers and Grant Roberts (if he can ever recover from shoulder tendinitis).

So how do the Mets go about filling the holes? First, the Mets need to change their philosophy in terms of how they spend their money or trade their prospects. They cannot go after over-the-hill players who are past their prime (Roger Cedeno, Roberto Alomar) or guys who are coming off injuries (Mo Vaughn). Instead, they need to build around Piazza and their young, budding players. They need to bring in guys who are in their twenties or early thirties (I cannot stress the word "early" enough), players who have life in them, strive to work hard and improve and can give the rest of the team energy.

The major holes are at second base, center field, right field and the bullpen. At second base, I present Luis Castillo, Todd Walker and Aaron Boone. Castillo won’t walk much and isn’t a Gold Glover, but he hits and runs and sometimes that’s all you need. He would fit perfectly at the top of the order and has the capability of taking advantage of Shea Stadium’s deep gaps. Florida will not re-sign him, and there aren’t many teams that can afford a second baseman of his caliber or many teams that need a second baseman. He’ll only be 29 next year, so he certainly fits the criteria. Todd Walker also won’t dazzle anyone with the glove, but he has proven that he can hit. He would fit nicely in the #2 spot and would not cost as much as Castillo. Aaron Boone is not a free agent, but could command $5 million in arbitration, which may prove to be too much for Cincinnati to pay. In the right deal, he could be had. He gives the team a solid glove, power and a decent average. He could hit anywhere from second in the lineup to seventh.

The team will need a new closer once they rid themselves of Benitez. Keith Foulke and Ugueth Urbina are the best options on the market and will command a good deal. The Mets though should consider that only Foulke is better than Benitez. Urbina doesn’t have the same talent, but then again, he also doesn’t have the history of choking under pressure. Either way, the Mets need to get one of these guys…or do they? Tyler Yates is a candidate. He has an overpowering fastball and could be 2004’s Mike MacDougal. If the Mets can’t get a top closer, then they should consider handing the ball to Yates. It is a youth movement you know.

There are two outfield spots to fill. However, center field is a spot that will be tough to fill unless the Mets want to take a chance on the old Kenny Lofton. Otherwise, another year of Timo Perez and Tsuyoshi Shinjo might be necessary. Then again, they both provide great defense. Anyway, there are corner outfielders out there including re-signing Jeromy Burnitz. Burnitz isn’t worth the $11.5 million the team is paying him now, but if he agreed to a major pay cut, he would be worth brining back. He plays hard all time and has the energy. Gary Sheffield would be the ideal player to get, however, he will cost quite a bit especially since he is putting up MVP numbers. The good news is that Atlanta might not have enough money to get him. The bad news is that the Yankees will. Combining him with Piazza and Floyd in the lineup would be devastating. Low cost options include Jose Cruz Jr. and Raul Mondesi. Neither will get a lot of money on the market and could be inclined to take a one-year deal. An intriguing player could be Mike Cameron. He is a center fielder, a Gold Glover at that, but he will be expensive and one wonders if he’ll revert back into the high strikeout, low batting average hitter he was in 2002. If the price is right though, 20 HR and guaranteed outs in center could be irresistible. On the trade market, the Mets should look into Magglio Ordonez. The White Sox need to retool and Ordonez is on the hook for $14 million in 2004. They might be better off using that money elsewhere and getting something in return for him, especially since he will be a free agent after 2004. He would be an excellent fit in right. Carlos Beltran would be an amazing pickup, but unlikely. The Royals are asking for the moon for him and his personality does not seem to fit the craziness of New York.

Lastly, the Mets need to continue to develop the youth. They should consider the following prospects untouchable and develop them until they are ready to play here: P Scott Kazmir, 3B David Wright, C Justin Huber, 2B Danny Garcia, P Neal Musser, P Bob Keppel, OF Jeff Duncan and 1B Craig Brazell.

It won’t be easy, but the Mets have a chance to be good in 2004. They just need to make the right decisions and pick a direction for this team to go in. They have some talent; now they need to get a little more and blend it together. Young, energetic and talented. Just wait until next year.