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Summer of ’06: New York’s Baseball Season Is in Full Swing

You know all of the clichés: the “Boys of Summer” are back in action in New York City, every team begins the season with the same record, etc., etc. Well, we’re a month in the baseball season, and both home teams are expected to achieve great things.

The Mets, version 2006, feature perhaps their strongest roster since their World Series Championship team of 1986, and certainly their best since their last World Series appearance in 2000. Manager Willie Randoph’s team features budding stars David Wright and Jose Reyes on the left side of the infield, with newly acquired slugger Carlos Delgado manning first.

The outfield is anchored by rising star Carlos Beltran flanked by Cliff Floyd in left and Xavier Nady in right. The oft-injured Floyd had one of his best seasons in 2005, slamming 34 home runs, while Nady is hoping to fulfill the promise that made him a high draft pick back in 2000.

Mike Piazza ended his popular tenure with the Mets this off-season, but fear not. His bat will be replaced by Delgado, and his astute handling of a pitching staff will be assumed by Paul LoDuca, who has been an All-Star three times behind Piazza. Plus, LoDuca is no slouch with the bat.

Another baseball cliché goes, “you can never have enough pitching.” Well, the Mets hope they have enough despite significant turnover on their staff. Pedro Martinez and Tom Glavine still lead the starting rotation, and the bullpen could also be a major strength for the Mets this year, with super-closer Billy Wagner now in the fold. With so many stars and budding stars, there might be joy in Flushing, Queens, this October.

The New York Mets play their home games at Shea Stadium, located at 123-01 Roosevelt Ave. in Flushing, NY. The ticket office is 718-507-TIXX. For schedule and other information, visit www.mets.com.

Up in the Bronx, there’s a whole different atmosphere at Yankee Stadium. When your team has won 26 World Series (and played in 13 more), and has featured Hall of Famers who represent what Cooperstown is all about, the expectation is not that you have a chance to win, but that you win — period. Manager Joe Torre has the luxury of fielding an All Star at nearly every position, but the roster is aging. Still, there is no greater baseball experience than nine innings at “The House that Ruth Built.”

The Yankees field one of the greatest infields in baseball history. Slugger Jason Giambi mans first base, with rising youngster Robinson Cano next to him at second. The left side features two future first-ballot Hall of Famers, Derek Jeter at short and Alex Rodriguez at third.

All Stars roam the outfield grass, too, with sluggers Hideki Matsui in left and Gary Sheffield in right flanking free-agent signee Johnny Damon in center.

The Yankees’ starting rotation could be one of its biggest strengths, or one of its biggest weaknesses. Randy Johnson is still an intimidating presence on the mound, but at age 42, can he still dominate? Mike Mussina continues to provide a solid second arm in the rotation, but he’s 37. Youngster Chien-Ming Wang is on the rise, and one of the keys to the Yankees’ success is its bullpen, anchored by Mariano Rivera, considered by many to be the greatest closer of all time. Winning is everything in Yankee-land, and there’s little indication this season will bring anything else.

The New York Yankees play their games at Yankee Stadium, 161st St. & River Ave. in the Bronx. For tickets, call 718-293-6000. For schedules and other information, visit www.yankees.com.

For the baseball history buff, there’s an extra feature at Yankee Stadium: a tour! Tours include field access, a visit to the dugout, a look at the press box, and a peek inside the clubhouse (subject to availability). Upgraded tours are also available, with additional features. For more info and reservations, click here.

With the teams in the Bronx and Queens, what’s left for the baseball fan in Manhattan? Step onto the field at Madame Tussauds New York (234 W. 42nd St., 212-246-8872), where you “Play Ball with Derek Jeter.” Pitch to the Yankees captain under the watchful eye of team owner George Steinbrenner.
Can’t get tickets to the game? Is your favorite team out of town? New York City is blessed with an abundance of fantastic sports bars, including Tonic Bar & Grill (727 Seventh Ave. btw. 48th & 49th Sts., 212-382-1059) and Gatsby’s (53 Spring St. btw. Lafayette & Mulberry Sts., 212-334-4430).

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