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Subway Series: Top Three underrated moments in Mets vs Yankees rivalry

By John Carroll Jr.

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 29: A Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) subway station stands in Manhattan on June 29, 2017 in New York City. Following a series of breakdowns, delays and political fingerpointing, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has declared a state of emergency for the subway system on Thursday and said he would sign an executive order to accelerate efforts to improve service. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 29: A Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) subway station stands in Manhattan on June 29, 2017 in New York City. Following a series of breakdowns, delays and political fingerpointing, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has declared a state of emergency for the subway system on Thursday and said he would sign an executive order to accelerate efforts to improve service. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 14: Mariano Rivera poses with his plaque before a game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 14, in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 14: Mariano Rivera poses with his plaque before a game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 14, in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Fans can of these teams can bicker all they want. Its a blast to do and both the Yanks and Mets play for the fans. However, there is one thing all New York sports fans can agree on, Mariano  Rivera is a living legend.

The New York Mets and New York Yankees are bitter rivals. I understand that. Their success rarely parallels each other and one team (the Yanks) are so immensely successful that it is hard to compare.

However, one great underrated moment in the Subway Series did not even happen in the game. It was a moment that happened before the game

During Mariano Rivera’s farewell tour in 2013, which became a league-wide phenomenon, the Mets gifted Mariano with gifts from the city.

However, that is not the moment.

The real moment was before a 2013 Subway Series game at Citi Field. As part of the gift, the Mets had Mariano throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

I know first pitches can be corny and cliché, but when done right, they can feel special and emotional.

Well, on that night, Mariano’s did. Not only did he throw out the pitch at Citi Field but the catcher was fellow New York bullpen legend, John Franco.

But, the moment was special. It felt real and it felt like for once this was just about baseball.

No who is better who is worse. No fans bickering over anything they can. This moment shows that the Subway Series is just special for the game of baseball.

The Mets organization showing respect to Mariano was awesome to see. He deserves it. He changed the game and the city forever.

But to still brilliantly incorporate a Mets legend was awesome too.

This is a moment that goes under the radar because it is not from an actual game. But this is the moment that shows what the Subway Series is truly about.

It is a privilege to have two baseball teams in this city, not a right. As fun as it is to be rivals, nothing is bigger than the game and the legends who make it worth watching.

This moment personified what baseball means to New York City. What a moment. For Mets fans, it might help to know that Rivera blew a save that series.

Up next the number one underrated thing about the Subway Series!

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