The Big Apple would go nuts if MLB fans were treated to another Subway Series between the New York Mets and New York Yankees. It was 22 years ago when the two clubs last faced off in the best of seven finale to the season. The Yankees took the series quite handily, 4-1.
Those Yankees teams had a great edge over the Mets. The 2000 World Series was their third straight championship. They were winners in four of the last five and would even manage to get back into the World Series again in 2001 and 2003—both times failing to do to their opponent what they did to the Mets.
Way back in 2000, the Yankees had a core that had won together already. That’s not the case with the current bunch. While often playoff-bound, they haven’t been able to make it beyond the ALCS.
A Mets vs. Yankees World Series in 2022 would be much different
If you haven’t paid attention to the Yankees this year, let’s catch up quickly. There are plenty of familiar names playing well. Aaron Judge. Giancarlo Stanton. Gerritt Cole. Even ones not priced quite as high on the payroll such as Isiah Kiner-Falefah are performing.
The real story of this year’s Yankees team, however, has been the performance by some lesser known guys. Clay Holmes has suddenly become one of the league’s best relievers and the transition from Aroldis Chapman to him as the closer might go off without a hitch. Michael King. Nestor Cortes. This isn’t Roger Clemens, Mariano Rivera, and all of those other all-time greats winning games for the team in the Bronx. Those players are present and factoring into the club’s success but only one piece of the story.
For a change, the Yankees are a good team but with lots of holes. They get nothing on offense from the catchers. Anthony Rizzo has underperformed and Joey Gallo looks like a bust. This is a Yankees team built on pitching. They kind of actually look like the Mets.
None of the current Yankees players have been to the World Series together while representing this team. Although they have guys with rings or World Series experience, it’s not a club immune to jitters.
The Mets certainly don’t have any advantage in this area either. The 2015 World Series roster only has Jacob deGrom leftover from it. Many of the guys they brought in over the winter have yet to win or even taste the championship bout either. Max Scherzer is one exception.
It’s too soon to book a Mets vs. Yankees World Series. If it does come to fruition, neither club will have a distinct advantage in the experience department.