Summer of '07: New York’s Baseball Season Is in Full Swing
The Mets, version 2007, feature perhaps their strongest lineup since their championship team of 1986, and certainly their best since their last World Series appearance in 2000. Manager Willie Randoph’s team features stars David Wright and Jose Reyes on the left side of the infield, with slugger Carlos Delgado manning first.
The outfield is anchored by star Carlos Beltran, who’s flanked by Moises Alou in left and Shawn Green in right. The oft-injured Alou can be an offensive force when healthy, while Green is hoping to rediscover the stroke that made him a 40-homer, 100-RBI threat in 2002. Endy Chavez and top prospect Lastings Milledge will push Alou and Green for playing time.
Having replaced the popular Mike Piazza last season, Paul LoDuca has established himself both offensively and defensively. He was an All-Star for the fourth time in 2006.
Ace Tom Glavine should get his 300th win this season, but Pedro Martinez is on the disabled list until at least July. The rest of the rotation is iffy: aging Orlando Hernandez, erratic but talented Oliver Perez, inexperienced John Maine, and a number of options at #5. The bullpen is a major strength, with super-closer Billy Wagner and great depth.
The New York Mets play their home games at Shea Stadium in Flushing, Queens. 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), the expectation is not that you have a chance to win, but that you win -- period. And manager Joe Torre has the luxury of fielding an All Star at nearly every position.
The Yankees field one of the greatest infields in baseball history. Gold Glover Doug Mientkiewicz mans first base, with rising star 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. Jason Giambi, the designated hitter, can also play first. All Stars roam the outfield grass, too, with Hideki Matsui in left and Bobby Abreu in right flanking Johnny Damon in center.
The Yankees’ starting rotation could be one of its biggest strengths, or one of its biggest weaknesses. Andy Pettitte returns from his self-imposed “exile” in Houston. Mike Mussina continues to provide a solid second arm in the rotation, but he’s 38. Youngster Chien-Ming Wang tied for the American League lead in wins in 2006, and they signed one of Japan’s best pitchers, Kei Igawa, this off-season. 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 in the Bronx. For tickets, call 718-293-6000. For schedules and other information, visit www.yankees.com. Tours of Yankee Stadium include field access, the dugout and press box, and a peek inside the clubhouse (subject to availability). For more info, click here.
With the teams in the Bronx and Queens, what’s left for the baseball fan in Manhattan? You can get up close and personal with “ballplayers” at Madame Tussauds New York (234 W. 42nd St., 212-246-8872), where Mets third baseman David Wright’s figure will be part of the new “Ultimate Subway Series” exhibit, joining Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. The interactive exhibit -- a baseball fan’s dream -- includes a replica of the Mets’ and Yankees’ dugouts, pitching and cheering games, voice recordings of both players, which can be heard on the dugout phones, and much more.
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