TAKING A RIDE THROUGH THE SUBWAY SERIES

It’s a tale as old as time. It’s big brother vs little brother. Bret vs Owen. Coke vs Pepsi. Atomic bomb vs coughing baby. Your uncle that works for Microsoft vs my Dad that works for Nintendo. It’s the Subway Series, that special time that comes twice a year when Mets fans have to sit back and listen to a bunch of chain-wearing mouth breathers scream at them about 27 rings or something. It’s a rivalry that was born the second the Mets were incepted, one that rarely has any stakes other than bragging rights. No matter how bad the Yankees are doing, they can take comfort in knowing that they’re not Mets fans. And likewise, Mets fans can always take comfort in knowing that they are able to have fun while watching baseball. It’s a rivalry based on proximity, one that can be experienced in a simple train ride. 

 

So let’s take that ride from Citi Field to Yankee Stadium. It’s a three train commute that takes you through the heart of Queens, East Manhattan and a tip of the Bronx. Which is helpful, because we have three games to talk about. Since Mets-Willets Point is the second stop on the line, there’s plenty of seats open. So pop a squat, open a nutcracker, let’s have ourselves a series.

 

This is a 34th Street - Hudson Yards bound 7 Express Train. The next stop is Junction Boulevard.

 

As the train careens away, I can’t help but feel the sudden weight shift. This series feels more personal than usual, mainly due to one man: Juan Soto. After taking the Yankees to the World Series, he took a billion dollar payday to eat shawarma in Queens. The atmosphere at Yankee Stadium was expected to be volatile and they did not disappoint. Juan Soto batted second and was given a scumbag’s welcome, raining with merciless boos. He smiled, tipped his cap and did what he’s been doing best lately: he walked. Both pitchers ran into early trouble but escaped the first inning with two goose eggs. 

 

This is 74th Street-Broadway. An accessible station. The elevator is at the front of the platform. Transfers available to the E, F, M and R trains. Transfers available to the Q70 Bus to Laguardia Airport.

 

One of the most vital stations in Queens, one can transfer to a free bus to the airport. It makes for a smooth getaway to your getaway. In speaking of smooth getaway, both Carlos Rodon and Tylor Megill got out of the second inning lickety split. Both starters blanked the sides with 2 strikeouts, seemingly finding their groove. 

 

This is 69th Street-Fisk Avenue.

 

If you look south, you might be able to see the rarely used freight rail tracks. The top of the Yankees order filled up the bases like they were filling a freight train, one that would presumably circle the track around the bases. Paul Goldschmidt brought in a run on an infield single that Lindor should have pocketed, but instead made an errant throw to bring in a second. From there, the freight train reloaded and emptied back out on a sac RBI. Then it reloaded and overflowed. Megill walked a run in and his night ended early, even for his standards. When the 3rd inning was all said and done, the Yankees led 4-0 in a game that seemed to be slipping away all too quickly.

 

This is Woodside-61st St. An accessible station. The elevator is at the center of the platform. Transfers available to the Long Island Railroad. 

 

This part of Woodside is known as “Little Manilla”, an enclave of Filipino culture and food. Proud Filipino, Anthony Volpe, could do nothing but watch as the Mets slowly chipped away at the Yankee lead. Brandon Nimmo knocked in a single that sent a walked Soto home. Volpe did however make a stellar catch that turned a potential Starling Marte’s base hit into a fielder’s choice. By the time Volpe grounded out to end the 4th inning, the Yankees had already done more damage, making it a 6-1 game. 

 

This is 52nd Street-Lincoln Avenue.

 

Looking to your left, you’ll see an antiquated sign for Pins & Needles Embroidery. Also sitting on pins & needles were every fan in the seats during the top of the 5th inning. Tyrone Taylor hit a bloop into right field that was improbably caught by Paul Goldschmidt. Seconds later, Francisco Lindor was inches away from beating Rodon to first base. The first two outs could have fallen either way, but that’s baseball. The third out was much less stressful as Pete Alonso listlessly struck out.

 

This is 46th Street-Bliss Street.

 

To your right, if you were able to see past that tall building, you’d be able to see my home. Going home sounded like a good idea for the Mets in the 6th inning. But they didn’t seem to agree while Jonathan Loáisiga made short order of them. 

 

This is 40th Street-Lowery.

 

Also to your right, you’ll see the alleyway where I park my car. The Yankees remained in the driver’s seat through the 7th inning, not allowing the top of the Met’s order to make the 6-1 lead any narrower. By this time, I wanted to go on a long drive, myself. Just zone out at the open road and forget about whatever it is I just watched.

 

This is 33rd Street-Rawson.

 

You can feel the urgency as you see the Astoria Line tracks get close to ours. You have to transfer trains soon and you don’t want to be late. Feeling no urgency were the Mets batters. Devin Williams, who is having the worst season of his life, got the monkey off his back by striking out Pete Alonso, Mark Vientos and Brandon Nimmo in order. It appears that the Mets are also looking ahead, ready to transfer trains and take on a new game. 

 

This is Queensboro Plaza. Transfers available to the N and W trains. 

 

Pulling into the station, it somehow seems like it’s going to be close. Just like Friday night’s game did in the 9th. With two outs and two on, Lindor smacked an outside changeup for a rolling RBI double. With the game at 6-2 and Juan Soto at bat, the Yankees were forced to use Luke Weaver, their closer. The equivalent of pulling in to see the opposing train with the doors closed. Close, but seemingly no chance in hell. Before we’re able to get off the 7 train, the N pulls away. Just like how Soto hit a lazy fly ball to end the game. 

 

But not all is lost. There’s a W train coming shortly and the Mets were still sitting pretty at 28-17. The sun will indeed come out tomorrow and we’ll be on our way in no time. 

 

Whitehall-Bound W train [indiscernible] Lexington stand clear. 

 

This will be a really short ride. Just a jaunt underneath the river to get into Manhattan. So let’s quickly talk about Game 2. The Mets pitching staff took care of business in a big way on Saturday. Griffin Canning was stellar, giving up two runs over 5.1 innings. The outing was exactly what he needed to cement the legitimacy of his reclamation project. In speaking of reclamation, DJ LeMahieu reminded the world that he still exists. He slugged a massive homer in the 3rd inning and made several plays on defense to hold the Mets back. But it was too little, too late and before too long, Edwin Dìaz was on the mound to make the 3-2 save. Better than any Hollywood script, the last hope for the Yankees was Aaron Judge. He fell behind quickly on a painted strike and a foul but then locked in. Working his way to a full count, 50,000+ on their feet, Edwin threw a four-seamer right into his sweet spot, 98.6 MPH, Judge swung an—ope, we gotta get off the train here. You can probably imagine what happened. Let’s get going.

 

This is a Woodlawn-bound 4 Train. The next stop is 86th Street. Stand clear of the closing doors, please.

 

The last leg of our journey starts us off right in the middle of Manhattan. What was once a chill ride through Queens now means serious business, filled with hustle, bustle and all the likes. After having two innocuous games, the Yankees and Mets took center stage on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball. The cameras were crisper, the announcers less seasoned/more biased and they took every opportunity to mention Shohei Ohtani, who has nothing to do with either team. With the weekend tied at one game a piece, this one was for all the bragging rights. Those bragging rights will only matter for a few days and then the Knicks will play again and every New Yorker will forget this ever happened, but I digress.

 

This is 86th [beep] attention passengers, this train will be running local to 125th street. Once again, this will be LOCAL to 125th. For express service, take the 5 train right behind us. Stand clear.

 

Off the bat, we’re already faced with chaos. Our train has to run on the local track, so we will surely have to deal with confused riders and an irritable conductor. Buckle up. There are no seatbelts. Just do so figuratively. The game started in similar fashion, as a no-doubter Pete Alonso home run sputtered in the wind and into Cody Bellinger’s glove. Mark Vientos, on the other hand, could not blame the wind as he totally mis-handled a routine ground ball to allow a leadoff base runner. Tack on an Aaron Judge double and then Alonso couldn’t make his way to a Bellinger screamer, allowing a 2-run double. David Peterson threw a wild pitch to put Bellinger on 3rd. Chaos, of the worst order. Peterson needed to find his calm and find it quick, or else he was bound for a bumpy ride.

 

This is 96th Street. Transfers available to the 6 train.

 

I actually used to get off at this stop a lot. Once upon a time, I worked at a grocery store up here. Carnegie Hill is what they call it, if I remember correctly. Just like my commute to work, the Mets were faced with an early uphill battle. A Jeff McNeil RBI single made it a 2-1 game and David Peterson worked his way out of a leadoff hit to have a relatively calm inning. In the 2nd inning, the hill was high, but it wasn’t insurmountable.

 

This is 103rd Street. Transfers available to the 6 tr [beep] This is a 4 train on the local track, it WILL be going to Woodlawn. For service to Pelham, take a 6 train behind us. Stand clear.

 

Okay, this announcer is getting a little abrasive. Looks like he’s already starting to lose his patience. Also losing their patience in the third inning were the top of both lineups. The starters racked up two strikeouts each as the best hitters failed to do anything at all. 

 

This is 110th Street. Transfers available to the 6 [beep] Ladies and Gentlemen this is a 4 TRAIN. 4 TRAIN. There is a 6 right behind us. Stand clear. 

 

We’ve reached the end of Central Park. But the walk in the park didn’t end in the 4th inning for Max Fried and David Peterson, as they made short order of the heart of the lineups. Fried kept his composure to retire the side after a Starling Marte double and Juan Soto casually caught a screamer from Austin Wells to end the inning. Things were really quiet. Almost too quiet…

 

This is 116th Street. Transfers available [beep] ATTENTION PASSENGERS this is NOT a 6 train. This train will be going to Woodlawn. STAND CLE—STOP HOLDING THE DOORS PLEASE.

 

I’m starting to get a little sick of this announcer. I wish I could mute him and listen to somebody else like I did in the 5th inning of Sunday’s game. I switched the ESPN broadcast with the velvety tones of Howie Rose and it instantly made my viewing experience 1000x better. A leadoff walk followed by a sac bunt made me think I was changing the vibe of the game into the Mets favor. One wild pitch later and the game was tied at 2-2. In the bottom of the 5th, Peterson got himself out of a bases loaded jam with ease. It goes to show that changing your perspective changes the world around you. Because obviously, the whole game hinged on my viewing method. That’s sports, baby,

 

This is 125th Street. Transfers available to the 5 and 6 trains. Transfers available to the M60 Bus to Laguardia Airport. Transfers available to Metro North.

 

I wish I knew something about Harlem. I’ve lived in New York for 15 years and I still have no anecdote about the neighborhood. Somehow, I’ve never found myself there at any hours of the night. I also don’t know anything about physics. Which means I can’t explain any of the science behind Max Fried’s fastball and why the Mets hitters were so confounded by it. I wish I knew something about umpiring because then I would feel a lot more confident in stating that the guy at home plate was doing a horrible job, especially in the 6th inning. But alas, I know nothing about those things. 

 

This is 138th Street-Grand Concourse. Transfers available to the 5 train.

 

Alright, we’re finally in the Bronx. You’re probably not able to tell because we’re underground. You might have felt some pressure in your ears from going under the Harlem River. Kind of like the pressure that Huascar Brazoban felt in the 7th inning after turning a seemingly easy outing into a bases loaded nightmare. Facing Anthony Volpe, he quickly went down to a 3-0 count before recovering with a strike and some foul balls. A hush fell over the stadium as Volpe swung wildly at a sinker. He got none of it. The whole borough let out a groan as the game remained tied at 2. 

 

This is 149th Street-Grand Concourse. Transfers available to the 5 and 2 train. 

 

We’re almost there. The home stretch. You can smell the stale popcorn from here. And if you listen hard enough, you can still hear the roar of the crowd as Pete Alonso threw a routine grounder completely wide of the catcher to allow the go-ahead run. If you can’t hear that, then you can definitely still hear the roar from when Paul Goldschmidt hit a laser to center field for another run. And if you can’t hear that, surely you can still hear the crowd from when Cody Bellinger hit a grand slam to make it an 8-2 lead. And if you can’t hear that, well, that would make a lot of sense. Sound travels fast.

 

This is 161st Street-Yankee Stadium. An accessible station. The elevator is at the middle of the platform. Transfers available to the B and D train. Transfers available to Metro North.

 

And as we pull into Yankee Stadium, you can clearly see that it’s empty. Kind of like the hearts of the Mets and all of their fans. The team clearly has a lot of things to work out, some mental cobwebs, The light in Lindor’s eyes have been completely out. The pitchers can’t get their control down. They’re just not producing on the level that they should be. But that will happen to the best of them. All they can do now is move on and play another day.

 

Oh, you thought we were going to a game? Nah, there’s no game today. The 29-18 Mets are still clinging onto first place in the NL East as they travel to Boston for a series against the Red Sox. Considering that the city of Boston have already been scorned by New York, expect the Sox to be more spry than usual. After that, they travel back home for a series against the Dodgers, the weekend that everyone has circled in dark red on their calendar. Despite having a lot of soul searching to do, the Mets have next to no time to get it together. Buckle up, It’s gonna be a long week. There are no seatbelts. Very good.