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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, NEW YORK – AUGUST 17: Steven Matz #32 of the New York Mets pitches in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Citi Field on August 17, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 17: Steven Matz #32 of the New York Mets pitches in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Citi Field on August 17, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Before there was inter-league play, before there was national television, the two teams from New York used to play in the “Mayor’s Trophy Game.”

So, what is the Mayors Trophy Game? It was an exhibition game that was originally played between the Yankees, Brooklyn Dodgers, and New York baseball Giants.

The game was played at some point during the regular season and did not count towards anything.

The games were still popular up until the 1980s. So, if they did not count towards wins or losses why did they play the games?

Well, the games were played obviously for some bragging right but mostly to help grow the game of baseball in New York City. The money would often go to local sandlot leagues and help grow the game of baseball.

Of course, these games were filled with moments dating back to the 1940s and all the baseball legends of that era participated. So, instead of narrowing down to a specific moment in these games, I just want to acknowledge they were simply a thing.

Eventually, the series was played between just the Mets and Yankees. But eventually, it ran its course and as the MLB got more difficult so they stopped playing.

That decision would workout as inter-league play eventually became a thing in the MLB. But to know that the teams in the city always knew their roles in inspiring people to love and play the game, even back then, it a beautiful thing.

Next: Top 5 Reasons for the Mets to retire #5

What is your favorite moment from the Subway Series that a lot of people might not remember? Let us know in the comments below.

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