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View Full Version : A Return to the Capital of Baseball?


db44
Jan 10th, 2005, 01:49 AM
In my memory, that phrase first coined for a segment of Ken Burns' Baseball. "The Capital of Baseball" was the title of the seventh installment (inning) and was talking about, of course, NYC. Postseason baseball in most of the fifties, until the the heartbreak of '58, was at home here in New York, with the Yanks, Dodgers and Giants dominating the game.

Since then we have had some minore revivals. In the mid eighties, both New York teams were good for a bit, and then of course we had our first subway series of the "new generation" in 2000.

But this year's off-season may have made NYC the focal point of baseball again for this and a few seasons to come. Where the Yanks made some dumb moves over the last few years, this year they built what should be the monster of the A.L. again. They bolstered their pitching with Pavano and some guy named Johnson, and we have to see what Wright will be. Stanton may have been poor with the Mets, but he's been missed in the Bronx... So has the man which I hope will be our starting first baseman: Welcome back Tino!!!

In Queens things started when the Mets brought back one of their past architects of their past glory as well: GM Omar Minaya. He wasted little time making the Mets a contender again, at least on paper. First Pedro and now Beltran. They took a note out of the Yankee blueprint and brought in what I expect will be an important supporting player in the likes of Miguel Cairo.

We have two physicals to go through, one for each team, but I expect 2005 and the following few years to be a great time for baseball in New York...



And I'm gonna see both teams in Spring Training. :biggrin:

pinky
Jan 10th, 2005, 07:28 AM
I wasn't paying attention back then.....what was the "heartbreak of '58" that you mentioned?

I have a feeling I'm not going to be very sympathetic, though. :wink:

db44
Jan 10th, 2005, 07:36 AM
It's when the Dodgers and Giants both moved out to the west coast.

*nsyncablemom
Jan 10th, 2005, 08:47 AM
Dave, have fun in Florida :sunny:

MrMojoRisin
Jan 10th, 2005, 04:10 PM
Even though both teams look good on paper, they'll probably choke.

The Subway Series of 2000, I don't think anyone outside of New York cared for that series.

pinky
Jan 10th, 2005, 07:39 PM
It's when the Dodgers and Giants both moved out to the west coast.
Oh, I thought you were going to say it was the only year in the 50's that the Yankees didn't win the Series! :tongue:

I didn't really start paying any attention to baseball until the 1960 Series....Bill Mazeroski and all.....so they've been out west the whole time it mattered to me!

db44
Jan 11th, 2005, 12:28 PM
Thanks Pat... I just wish I were down there already and not in this "wintry mix."

I wasn't even born when the two teams moved away, but I miss them greatly. I would have loved to go to Ebbets or the Polo Grounds, and I have many friends and family members who miss the good ol' days. Keyspan is a great place for minor league baseball, but it doesn't make me think I'm in Flatbush.

*nsyncablemom
Jan 11th, 2005, 01:44 PM
I have had enough of this winter already and it really hasn't even started....
I want a full report when you return!! :sunny: