R.A.vaged

Most of you that know me, know me as a rather grounded Yankee fan. Especially during the regular season. I try never to get to low when the team isn't playing well, and never to get too excited when they are rolling. This is an outlook that has been cultivated by their regular appearances in October. Not gloating at all. That is simply a fact. Any regular season spike (good or bad) is offset by the consolation that lies in knowing that they will be there in October. Until proven otherwise (on a regular basis), I see no reason to feel differently.

Overhyped by the media, but Mets fans usually are absolutely gaga about their yearly meetings with the Yankees. Aside from local hype, it's just another 6 games (soon to be 4) on the schedule for both teams. While the players are likely to share my view, Mets fans continuously use these games as a measuring stick.

The Subway Series (regular season version) is not nearly as important to Yankees fans as it is to Mets fans. Yankees fans can usually rationalize regular season Subway Series losses by being in the race in October, while Mets fans are at home. This year's version was spiced up a bit with the Mets in contention for a playoff spot. The Mets (again, just stating the facts) are a team of unknowns who have played some unbelievable baseball at times this year. Their success has injected some energy into the crosstown rivalry by giving Mets fans the window of opportunity to believe that their team is on a parallel with the Yankees.

However, they were sorely smacked back down to Earth this weekend in losing 2 of 3 to the Bombers at CitiField. While this will likely have no long-term implications on the Mets playoff hopes, it is a subtle reminder that they still have a long way to go. I ordinarily would not feel the need to point out that the Mets ate some crow, but there are three reasons that lead me to bring this up.

1. Frank Francisco's "Chickens" Comment

Honestly, who is Frank Francisco to make a comment like that. The guy is continuing to cement his status as one of the "boobs" of MLB. Give him credit for having a relatively solid year thus far, but make him take his medicine for this ridiculous statement. Aside from the obvious that the Yanks lineup has some proven hitters, they also swept them at Yankee Stadium in early June!

Frank Francisco throwing a chair in Oakland and hitting a lady in the face. Who's the chicken again Franky?

Add to that the fact that the Mets had a clubhouse attendant get a chicken that they playfully referred to as "Jeter" before settling on "Little Jerry Seinfield", and they just look ridiculous here. I appreciate the Seinfeld reference as much as the next guy, but come on with this. Putting a nice bow on all of this is that Francisco was placed on the DL today with an oblique strain. Karma is a b*tch Frankie.

2. Mets Organization Employees Complaining About the HR's at Yankee Stadium

I respect Terry Collins as a baseball man a lot. But come on, this is Baseball Knowledge 101. You can't complain about ballpark dimensions if BOTH TEAMS are playing a game in the same ballpark. The Yankees are built for that park? Guess what, they are built for a lot of things. And they hit a lot of home runs on the road as well (as the Mets found out). I wonder how much of an issue this would have been if Ike Davis had popped a couple of "generous" home runs over that right field porch. Maybe they should evaluate that.

Cry me a river. Last time I checked both teams get a shot at popping one over the 314 marker.

Part of this was drummed up by Mets media announcers who brought this up during the game. But Collins also referenced the "friendly" home field for the Yanks in interviews. I just don't see how you can go down that road. Especially since most of the newer parks in baseball are bona fide band boxes. Where's the gripe when the Mets play at Great American Ballpark or Minute Maid?

3. R.A. Dickey's Hype for Sunday Night Baseball

I like Dickey a lot (TWSS). I have rooted for him this year, and will continue to do so. This is not anything that was really in the ORGANIZATION'S control. Dickey is a humble guy who would just as prefer to make another start and be on his way. This is more an issue brought up by the media and perpetuated by Mets fans than anything else.

A perfect example....and I will take an anti-Yankee position on this. When the ESPN announcers were talking about the matchup during last night's game, they said "We could be watching both All-Star game starters here tonight."

Sabathia has had a nice year (9-3, 3.45 ERA) but certainly will not be the AL starter. David Price (10-4, 2.90), Chris Sale (8-2, 2.24), and even Matt Harrison (10-3, 3.24) might have something to say about that. Dickey has a real shot to start for the NL.

Dickey has a real shot to start for the NL. Sabathia is having a solid year, but is a longshot to start for the AL. Mets fans were frothing for this opportunity to show off their Dickey. Both guys underwhelmed.

This just illustrates how overhyped this matchup was. C.C. and Dickey were each mediocre, and the game was decided in the bullpens.

FINAL VIBE

Just to re-focus, I don't want it to seem like I'm raining hate on the Mets. I am happy for my Mets fans friends that have suffered through the Madoff scandal, the Jason Bay disaster, the Jose Reyes exit, and other hard luck moments over the past 5 years. They are about to endure some meaningful summer baseball, and that's a great thing.

As for using the Yankees as a measuring stick....you're just not there yet.