Mets players comment on potential Subway World Series

NEW YORK — With the Mets and Yankees both moving on to their respective League Championship Series, it’s tempting not to think about the next round.

New York City hasn’t seen a Subway World Series in 24 years. New York City might not be a hotbed for talent, but make no mistake, this city is just as baseball-crazed as it’s ever been. From Aaron Judge and Francisco Lindor to Gerrit Cole and Edwin Diaz, the Mets and Yankees have some enticing, prime-time star-power, plus the MTA could use some good PR these days.

“I don’t even know what the city would do,” Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo said on a Zoom call Friday afternoon. “Man, it would almost just explode. It would be amazing, so definitely, if it comes to that point, we will enjoy the heck out of it, and it would be an amazing time to be in the city and to be a part of these two organizations and see who wins.”

The 2024 Subway Series provided incredible content. Who could forget a fan dressed as Grimace sitting on someone’s shoulders, chugging a beer to raucous applause during a rain delay? Lightning struck right as the beer can was emptied in a perfect bit of comedic timing.

The Mets and their fans have joined forces to create a unique atmosphere at Citi Field built around having fun. The scoreboard operators troll opposing players on the field with humorous factoids during their at-bats, Lindor has fans singing along to his walk-up song “My Girl” when they’re not singing to Candelita’s “Omg,” Bartolo Colon returned to catch the first pitch and the Mets are not only celebrating each home run in the dugout, but each successful outing by a starting pitcher as well.

Queens felt like a party this week and the Mets are expecting to keep that party going into next week in the NLCS. It’s the antithesis of Yankee Stadium, where fun seems to be spurned and the character of the place feels corporate.

It would be a fascinating culture clash.

“It’d be an unbelievable experience,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “For the city of New York and for the two fan bases, it’ll be like a dream come true. I don’t want to get too far ahead, but the fact that the two teams are in it, and in a position to do something special is a great feeling for a lot of people.”

Mendoza is one of many Mets who has Yankees ties, having spent 13 years in the organization as a coach. Right-hander Luis Severino was their ace for years, Adam Ottavino, a Brooklyn native, spent two seasons in the Bronx and Harrison Bader, who grew up in Bronxville, had a stellar postseason run in Pinstripes two years ago.

Last weekend in Philadelphia, Bader was asked if he had any memories of the 2000 series. The center fielder declined to comment, not wanting to look past the game against the Phillies that afternoon and the series at hand.

So while the Mets are keyed in on the NL West contenders, they still can’t help but think about what the city might be like with both of its baseball teams in the Fall Classic

“Both teams have something that they have to take care of before, and that’s a big something,” Nimmo said. “We’re going to be focused on that, and we’re going to not let our minds drift to [the World Series]. But you know, it would be a blast. There’s no question about it.”

Diaz celebrating responsibly

Closer Edwin Diaz is working on fixing the control that has been somewhat shaky throughout the postseason. He gave up three runs in Game 2 of the NLDS and before closing out the series Wednesday night at Citi Field, he walked the first two hitters.

His plan is simple — just attack the zone and go right at hitters.

If Diaz exhibits the same control on the mound that he has off of it, he’ll be fine. The right-hander is still refusing to jump, leap or celebrate with a large crowd of his teammates on the field after series-ending wins. He learned his lesson after the freak accident that tore the patellar tendon in his right knee after a World Baseball Classic Game last season.

“If I want to jump or celebrate big, I’ll do it after we get the W in the World Series,” he said.

McNeil starts Fall League play

The Mets successfully petitioned MLB to allow infielder/outfielder Jeff McNeil to play games Friday and Saturday in the Arizona Fall League. The Mets want to see him seven innings back-to-back in the field to see how his wrist handles the workload.

McNeil’s right wrist was fractured Sept. 6 by a pitch, but it has fully healed since and he’s been participating in baseball activities. Should McNeil come out of his Fall League stint without any pain, the Mets would add him to the NLCS roster.

The Mets could give Luisangel Acuña‘s roster spot to McNeil, or carry one fewer pitcher to keep both infielders, which would provide some insurance in case Lindor is unable to play with his back issues.