It’s not very often that these two teams are (at least) good at the same time. Taking out the late 1990s and early 2000s, it’s even rarer. But when the quality of the clubs is near equal, the intensity between the Mets and Braves is red-hot. That doesn’t necessarily equate to balance, as when Atlanta reigned as perennial NL East champs, New York was often nothing more than a...
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Sharing the eastern seaboard and the same division understandably creates a rift between fans and players alike, who over the years have exchanged words and sometimes fists. Many notable faces have seen it from both sides: Tug McGraw, Lenny Dykstra, and Zack Wheeler just to same a few. Proximity breeds hatred. And many, if not all, of these memorable games, give added reason for one side to only...
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Who needs a glove? David Wright put out that question while providing the greatest defensive highlight of his career during his first full big-league season. San Diego’s Brian Giles lifted a soft fly ball over Wright’s head in the seventh inning at Petco Park—certain to be a hit into left field. It would’ve been challenging enough to make the catch with a mitt if he could even race...
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The fate of hitters and pitchers at Wrigley Field is often affected by which way the wind blows. Darryl Strawberry didn’t have any help or hindrance from the air stream on this day against the Cubs. His power would’ve played anywhere. The Mets’ 7–2 won over Chicago, which put New York into first place. Darryl was the deciding element—a gust of air behind his team’s back if you...
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The Mets needed more hitting and less drama. In late July 2015, they got both. The week leading up to the trade deadline, the Mets began seeking a bat that would jump-start a lifeless offense. This as New York teetered at the .500 mark yet had first place in its sights. It ended with the Mets landing that key bat and beginning their surge to the National League East title and, ultimately, the...
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