Top 5 rivals in Mets history ranked

4) Mets rival: The case for the Los Angeles Dodgers

It’s a New York vs. Los Angeles thing but deeper. The Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers represent two of the biggest sports markets in North America. Naturally, any high-profile game between the two will be a lot bigger.

But the connection goes deeper. The Dodgers, who once represented Brooklyn, were one of the two teams the Mets helped replace in 1962 when they brought National League baseball back to the Big Apple. Historically, they are somewhat rivals without even playing a game.

The Mets and Dodgers have played each other plenty over the years despite never sharing a division. In the early days, the National League included all of the teams so matches between these two were a little more common. When the Dodgers became representatives of the National League West, the rivalry meant only a little bit less.

The two clubs would see each other several times in the postseason. First, it was in the 1988 NLCS when the Dodgers came away victorious. The Mets took the next series in 2006 when they swept the Dodgers in the NLDS. The two would match up against each other one more time in 2015. Again, the Mets were the NLDS winners.

Both big spenders in massive markets, games between these two always seem to hold weight. The fact that Mike Piazza, one of the greatest catchers of all time, represented each with a brief stop with the Florida Marlins in between connects them further. Despite having his best years with the Dodgers, Piazza is better remembered for his time with the Mets. It’s a little extra icing for the rivalry.