This baseball season has undoubtedly been fantastic to watch for many fans, and a competitive finish is practically inevitable. However, today I wanted to focus on the impeccable series between the New York Yankees and the New York Mets this past weekend and why it was the best Subway Series since the 2000 World Series, where the New York Yankees came out on top.
On Friday at Citi Field, the Mets came to play against the Yankees. The Mets sent left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery to the dugout after just 3.1 innings of play as they tallied six runs in the early stages of Friday’s matchup. From new addition Javier Baez to superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor, the entire Mets lineup contributed to an embarrassing blowout for the Yankees. Mets right-handed pitcher, Tylor Megill, was not ready to disappoint his team and let an impressive offensive performance go to waste. Megill came into his Subway Series debut and dominated the Evil Empire as he tossed seven innings of pitching and allowed a mere two runs to the Yankees solid offense.
However, despite the 10-3 blowout, the Bronx Bombers were not ready to accept defeat in this series.
Sept. 11th, 2021, marked the 20th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center. On a day of tragedy for New York and the entire country, baseball continued in New York. This game meant more than baseball, and it was demonstrated on the field. Dozens of officers graced the outfield before the game, and fans stood with solemn remembrance of a true American tragedy. Players hugged as the National Anthem was played throughout the stadium. Each fan echoed the feelings of true patriotism for their country and the game of baseball itself. The managers of each team during the 2001 season, Bobby Valentine and Joe Torre, threw out the ceremonial first pitches to help begin an emotional night for baseball. Wearing New York law enforcement hats, the Mets and Yankees took the field for a night of baseball at Citi Field.
With pitchers Taijuan Walker and Corey Kluber holding each side scoreless for the first inning, the Yankees struck first on a beautiful two-run home run by Kyle Higashioka. Brett Gardner and Aaron Judge continued to rake as the teammates each hit a home run to make the score 5-0. While it was just the 2nd inning for Mets fans, the team was already in a deep hole, but they were not ready to give up.
Baez delivered with a solo home run after a pair of RBI hits by James McCann, Kevin Pillar and even Taijuan Walker. After scoreless innings by both teams, the Mets would take the lead on a two-run home run by McCann to put the Yankees in a late-game deficit. The Mets continued to tack on runs as Pillar added another RBI to give the Mets a two-run lead in the 7th inning. While the game trended in the Mets’ favor, Judge would not let the Yankees lose this game. Judge drilled a deep two-run home run with Gardner on first base to tie the game at seven. Momentum had suddenly shifted toward the Bronx Bombers, and the Yankees continued to deliver on a poor throw by Baez to take a one-run lead.
While the Mets put every effort to win this game, their effort came short, and the Yankees won by a score of 8-7. “It was a very emotional night, but it was just good to have everybody together for the city,” said Judge after the game.
The final game of the Subway Series was a memorable end to a great weekend of baseball for the city of New York and baseball fans across the globe. Carlos Carrasco, the pitcher for the Mets, did not have a great start to Sunday’s game as he quickly allowed two runs to start the game. But, just like this entire series has proven, the Mets were not ready to give up and promptly retaliated with a run to move the deficit to one. The real momentum booster for the Mets came at the hands of Lindor as he smacked a three-run home run to shallow right field. After the Mets added an insurance run and second basemen Gleyber Torres added a two-run home run for the Yankees, Lindor once again stepped into the box and knocked the ball deep into center field for his second home run of the game. Citi Field was buzzing as Lindor taunted Yankees players as he ran across the bases. With tensions high, Giancarlo Stanton defended the Yankees and blasted a deep shot into left field. Just as Lindor did, Stanton taunted the Mets as he rounded the bases. Benches cleared, and players were held back to prevent feelings from getting out of hand. This moment certainly made the game different; it was now personal.
Lindor stepped into the box once again with two home runs under his belt. On a 2-0 count, Lindor hit a ball deep into right field to give the Mets the lead. Lindor continued to taunt everyone as Citi Field buzzed with excitement. Stanton stood in silence in left field as Lindor jogged to home plate with his home flag of Puerto Rico flying behind him. Lindor took his curtain call later that inning as he became the 2nd shortstop in Mets history to have a three-home run game and the only player in Subway Series history. With two outs in the top of the ninth inning, how fitting was it that Giancarlo Stanton stepped up to the plate for the Yankees? On a 2-2 count, the powerful outfielder popped out to none other than Francisco Lindor to end the game and cap off a Subway Series victory for the Mets. “I took that personal,” said Lindor on having suspicions on the Yankees whistling for signs, “I wanted to put runs on the board to help my team win.”
Everything about this Subway Series was exceptional. It was perfect in every way. From Judge’s Sept. 11th home run to Lindor having his signature moment in Mets history, this series only added to the magic of the 2021 MLB season. With everything in place after a celebratory weekend of baseball, I can safely say that this Subway Series is one of, if not the, greatest played in the history between the two ballclubs.
