I am originally from New York. When it comes to baseball, I am a New York Metropolitans fan. If the Mets are not “in it” (which of course is most of the time) I do not automatically root for the Yankees because they are the other New York team. Nope. In fact, I root AGAINST them.

Most Yankee fans that I know do not understand this. They will say “if the Yankees are not in it and the Mets are, I’ll root for the Mets”.

First of all, the likelihood of that happening is close to being struck by lightning. Twice. In the same place. While wearing the same clothing. In other words, Yankee fans rarely find themselves in a situation where the Mets are the New York team that is left in the race so, sure, they can say that without really having to worry that it might actually happen.

Okay, fine, in the 80’s the Mets were THE baseball team in New York. But for the most part, it has been about the Yankees. The Mets are the little brother, always trying to live up to big brother’s reputation and success but rarely able to come close. And many Yankee fans like to remind Mets fans of this as often as possible. The Yankees are more handsome, taller, richer and smarter than the Mets. Why can’t you be more like your big brother? Thanks but we don’t need to hear it from you…we already know. And by the way we don’t need you rooting for our team or telling us Mets fans that you “don’t hate the Mets”. Why would a Yankee fan ever hate the Mets? For the most part the Yankees have never had to live “in the shadow” of the Mets the way the Mets have had to with the Yankees. Yankee fans have not had to constantly be reminded of all those championships the Mets have won and all that great Mets history. Mets fans do not need the Yankee fan’s pity.

“How can you hate Derek Jeter?” Yankee fans will ask me. I never said I hated Derek Jeter or any of the individual players…it’s about the LAUNDRY…the UNIFORM…never about the individual players. Sure there are some players I don’t care for (A-Rod) but, then, there have also been plenty of Mets players I’ve disliked over the years (start with Bobby Bonilla). IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT THE LAUNDRY.

And then I get this one, too: “come over to the dark side…become a Yankee fan!” That is just plain stupid. Proves that the person saying it has no understanding of what a true fan is. Listen, if the Mets had been as good as the Yankees have been for so many years, the front-runners would all be Mets fans. It’s much easier to be aligned with a winning team and appears to be a lot more fun.

And now, as a Mets fan, I find my two least favorite baseball teams playing each other in the 2009 World Series: The New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies. Tough choice because I don’t want EITHER team to win the World Series.

I fully expect the powerhouse that is the Yankees to be the 2009 World Champions. But am I rooting for them because I am from New York and they are the New York team in the World Series? Hell no. Boston fans, this is where you have it much easier: there is only one baseball team in Boston. Not so in New York. Or Chicago….yeah, look at Chicago. Would a Cubbies fan root for the White Sox or visa versa? I believe you know the answer to that. And so, for me, a New York Mets fan, there is only ONE New York team and that is the New York Mets. I will be rooting for the underdog, National League team to win the 2009 World Series.

And I won’t have to stay up to watch the games. Yup I will be one well-rested Mets fan. Isn’t that much better than having your team win a World Championship?

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