AdropOFvenom
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Figured this series between the Mets and Yankees deserved its own thread.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Enjoy the rideMets, Yanks could be on course for World Series showdownBY KEN DAVIDOFFNewsday Staff WriterMay 19, 2006Year 10 of interleague play kicks off tonight, with no matchup more responsible for the concept's success than our own Subway Series.At Shea Stadium, the Mets and Yankees will face off for the 49th time in regular-season play, with the Yankees holding a comfortable, all-time edge of 29-19.But this year, finally, it feels as though the Mets and Yankees are operating on an even plane. It's partly the product of another Mets offseason featuring huge trades and huge expenditures, partly the birth of SNY. Primarily, the blend of those realities creates a perception: Just like the Yankees, the Mets are now operating seriously to win it all.With baseball more popular than ever in New York, with the stakes so high, it's the perfect time to line up these mirroring franchises and compare their most important assets.The IconsDavid Wright vs. Derek JeterThere is still a gargantuan gap in payroll between these two clubs, with the Mets at about $101 million and the Yankees at $195 million, and no matchup better illustrates this than Jeter (who will earn over $20 million this season) and Wright (who will make $374,000). Wright sure looks like a keeper, doesn't he? But come on. Jeter already has enough career highlights to fill an entire collectible DVD set, and a monster weekend could produce his 2,000th hit.Edge: Jeter.The High-Priced Punching BagsCarlos Beltran vs. Alex RodriguezIf A-Rod developed the cure for a fatal disease, and Jeter said, "Good job, Alex," fans would salute Jeter for being such a team player, then boo Rodriguez the next time he struck out. All has been quiet lately for Beltran, but then again, the Mets have been on the road for nine games.Edge: Rodriguez.The Hired GunsPedro Martinez vs. Randy JohnsonHmmm... a delightful charmer who can still outsmart and overwhelm opposing hitters, against a sour loner who is pitching like his career is nearing an end. I need more time on this one.Edge: Martinez.The Controversial SluggersCarlos Delgado vs. Jason GiambiDelgado doesn't back away from serious questions and serious issues. Giambi stayed open-minded to all performance-enhancing drugs. This is a tough call. But each time Giambi crushes another homer, you peek toward home plate to make sure Bud Selig isn't there, waiting with a failed drug test.Edge: Delgado.The Morale BoostersPaul Lo Duca vs. Johnny DamonAh, "character," the scourge of the stat heads. Both newcomers have displayed their heralded skills and personalities. Damon just brings more to the party.Edge: Damon.The Japanese ImportsKazuo Matsui vs. Hideki MatsuiEven in these rarest of times, with Kaz healthy and Godzilla on the shelf, something tells me the Yankees still wouldn't trade Matsuis.Edge: Hideki Matsui.The Young BloodJose Reyes vs. Robinson CanoThe presence of the homegrown Cano in the Yankees' lineup still seems odd, like a foreign car on a Detroit highway. Whereas Reyes, after fighting away an early injury bug, is a bona fide member of the Mets' core.Edge: Reyes.The Final ActsBilly Wagner vs. Mariano RiveraOnly in New York would Wagner have to worry about offending people with his "Enter Sandman" theme song, and about being the second-best closer in town. Like Wagner, Rivera has been subpar this season, but he has much more in the bank.Edge: Rivera.The Experienced HandsTom Glavine vs. Mike MussinaIt was easy to write both of these guys off not long ago. Instead, both relied on their ample smarts to regain their edge, and both have been even better than the club's purported aces.Edge: Tie.The Front MenWillie Randolph vs. Joe TorreThey converse more in those Subway commercials than they ever seemed to when they worked together in pinstripes. This one is easy, just because of the experience factor. Torre has some 22 seasons on Randolph, and his work shows it.Edge: Torre.The Tech SupportRick Peterson vs. Ron GuidryPeterson, with no big-league experience, can break down pitching mechanics like a scientist, while Cy Young Award winner Guidry essentially believes that stuff is for wimps. Check back in when Guidry helps mold a trio like Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito.Edge: Peterson.The EngineersOmar Minaya vs. Brian CashmanCashman lacked full authority under George Steinbrenner for so long, while Minaya, as the Expos' general manager, had to answer to 29 other owners. With Cashman now seemingly in charge for real, and with Minaya's imprint so firmly on this 2006 Mets club, let's see how things look at the conclusion of this season.Edge: Tie.The EmperorsFred Wilpon vs. George SteinbrennerThis isn't based on who's nicer, because that would be pretty easy. Hate The Boss, but his contributions to the industry are endless. Wilpon, in his fourth year since buying out Nelson Doubleday, has improved on many deficiencies.Edge: Steinbrenner.The Front-Office MuscleJeff Wilpon vs. Randy LevineThis is based on who's nicer, because these two men specialize in behind-the-scenes relationships. Wilpon used to be known as an office bully, but word now is that he's calmed down. Levine, meanwhile, still revels in picking fights with Bronx citizens and worldwide hurricane victims.Edge: Wilpon.The Home OfficesShea Stadium vs. Yankee StadiumThe Stadium is a baseball cathedral, history lurking in each corner, sure to be missed by many when the Yankees' new ballpark opens. In Shea, meanwhile, you'd look in the corners only to make sure there are no rats.Edge: Yankee Stadium.The PlatformsSNY vs. YESSure, if Steinbrenner were ever caught on tape strangling someone, the YES announcers would say the victim had it coming. But that's what most Yankees fans want, isn't it? I don't get SNY's whole "objective" approach. Save that for Newsday. Glorify away!Edge: YES.THE SERIESTonight, 7.10TV: Channels 9 & 11Randy JohnsonSeason Stats: 5-4, 5.13 ERACareer vs Mets: 6-4, 2.50 ERAFast fact: Mets manager Willie Randolph was 4-for-9 (.444) against Johnson in his career.VSJeremi GonzalezSeason Stats: 0-0, 5.40 ERACareer vs Yanks: 1-2, 4.30 ERAFast fact: Alex Rodriguez is 1-for-12 (.083) lifetime against Gonzalez.Tomorrow, 1:20TV: Ch. 5Mike MussinaSeason Stats: 6-1, 2.56 ERACareer vs Mets: 5-2, 4.01 ERAFast fact: Mussina is 3-0 with 1.40 ERA during the day this season.VSPedro MartinezSeason Stats: 5-0, 3.19 ERACareer vs Yanks: 11-10, 3.13Fast fact: Opponents are hitting just .164 against Martinez this season.Sunday, 8:05 p.m.TV: ESPNAaron SmallSeason Stats: 0-1, 8.71 ERACareer vs Mets: 0-0, 3.86Fast fact: Small has been released by five teams in his careerVS.Tom GlavineSeason Stats: 6-2, 2.43 ERACareer vs Yanks: 3-2, 3.80 ERAFast fact: Glavine is three strikeouts away from 2,400 for his careerhttp://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yan...y-yankees-print</div>

St34LTH, Wright and Small arent much better (If any) then Johnson. But at least with him you got a 260 win resume. More hope he pulls out of his struggles then Small who has been released by 5 teams already or Wright who just isnt very good IMO.