The Beginnings of a Rivalry Rivalry?
Lately, there’s been a lot of coverage on ESPN (via tv, Internet, and radio) regarding the ongoing development of a rivalry between the Phillies and Mets. This discussion is fueled by spring training trash talking between the teams’ players, even if some of that trash talking is really just a repeat of that which was said months ago. Regardless, nothing really gets the media and fans more excited for a new season than a back and forth war of words between teams. Not to mention it creates a storyline void of the words “steroids,” “banned substances,” “HGH,” and so on.
Now, thanks to Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Beltran, Brett Myers, David Wright, Cole Hamels, Francisco Rodriguez, Shane Victorino, and Jose Reyes (have Jayson Stark bring you up to speed in this posting), ESPN has posed the following question to its personalities: Is the Phillies/Mets rivalry the NL version of the Yanks/Red Sox rivalry?
In a word, no. However, that isn’t from a lack of recent effort. Throughout the last two regular seasons, the matchups between these two teams have been consistently stellar, and have included several extra inning frames, improbable heroes, walk-off finishes, and everything else a good rivalry craves. The proximity between teams also makes it easier for the fans to follow each development, and the addition of trash talking was a necessary element for the contention to mature, which both sides have been more than happy to supply. Throw on top of all of this the contentious relationship between these teams’ fans and the fantastic photo finishes in the NL East the last two years are you’re looking at all the major ingredients for a good old-fashioned rivalry.
The Mets and Phillies are better fit for the “What is the best rivalry in the National League” discussion, and depending on just how much emphasis is placed on current events, they just might. After all, we’re talking about today’s MLB, not the MLB of decades ago when Cubs-Cardinals and Dodgers-Giants were setting the bar for NL rivalries.
With all this being said, no baseball rivalry can compare to the Yankees and Red Sox (yet, anyway). The history there is just too rich for two seasons of baseball to be thrown into the discussion. However, if the Phillies and Mets keep up their due diligence over, say, the next 20 years, we might be able to revisit this topic with a more compelling argument. In the meantime, it’s nice to watch these two teams add themselves to the discussion.[ad][ad]
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Reader Comments
As a huge fan of baseball in general and the Phillies in particular, this fairly “new” rivalry does provide a refreshing distraction from those all-too familiar words that have been bombarding my beloved sport.
However, while the media certainly plays a large part in adding fuel to the fire, I think there really is a genuine rivalry between these two teams and their fans. As Jimmy Rollins has mentioned in the past, New York gets a lot of press, even though Philly is a huge market with rich tradition. Oh, how I can agree on that point! After all, when you watch a Mets game, how many times does the camera focus on Jose Reyes? I know he is considered good looking, but enough is enough! And how long was the media playing him up as the best shortstop in the game? Maybe they should take a ride down 295South and become familiar with some other middle infielders who deserve just as much camera time.
How funny it was to me that durng 2008 playoff coverage, an announcer mentioned how Chase Utley is just an “average” defensive player. Are you kidding me? My “men up the middle” (Rollins and Utley) turn some of the most awesome defensive plays in the game, but somehow go unnoticed? Bring your cameras to Philly, guys, and you may just be surprised. And while you’re there, give our fans a break. Let’s be serious, are all New York fans lily white clean? I think not. After all, how many more times can we hear that Philly (Eagles) fans “booed” Santa Claus? I even heard that comment during World Series coverage. It’s time to shed a more favorable light on the good, hard-working fans of Philly, passionate and loyal. (Can the Mets fans say the same?)
Lastly, were Jimmy Rollins’ words that controversial, when he said “We’re the team to beat?” And was Cole Hamels goaded into saying the Mets are “choke artists?” The media strikes again, picking and choosing snippets of interviews to spin however they choose.
Whatever way you look at it, let’s be glad that baseball has something else to focus on other than the “S” word. As long as it doesn’t get out of hand and turn into a boxing match every time these two teams meet, I think this rivalry just may be good for the game.
I need to clarify the intent of my Mets “fans” comment above; it’s only the “loyal” aspect I question…
(An honest mistake during my editing process).