New York Sees its Future and its Past All at Once

New York Sees its Future and its Past All at Once

 

Today is a special day in the city of New York. We, as a city, get the rare chance to simultaneously see the future and the past. Most other fans that are not native New Yorkers will overlook today’s significance and not even give it a second thought. We however, will remember this day for years to come.

In Atlanta, the Mets face off against their bitter rivals, the Braves. Chipper may be gone but the rivalry lives on. The Braves are in first place and in no danger of losing that spot to the Mets, but the Mets come equipped today with something they haven’t had in a long time, hope. They travel down Badstreet USA to Turner Field feeling optimistic and hopeful for what’s to come. In Game 1 of the doubleheader the ace of the staff and guaranteed All-Star Matt Harvey will look to continue his amazing season. Sports Illustrated recently christened Harvey “The Dark Knight of Gotham” due to his ability so far to dominate both the competition and headlines in a town where the Mets are second fiddle. Some expected this success from Harvey and some didn’t but there is no denying the Mets have found their number one starter, their Batman.

If Harvey is Batman then in game 2 of the doubleheader the Mets and their fans will get a glimpse at Robin. The partner in crime and the other half of the Dynamic Duo is Zack Wheeler. Making his Major League debut tonight in front of a hometown crowd, Wheeler will provide the team will a crystal clear look into its future and the top of its staff. One thing that is constantly mentioned when it comes to Wheeler is that he is unfazed by pressure and won’t let the hype get to him. That’s a good thing considering he will make a career in New York.

To quote the phenomenal movie which lends its name to Harvey, “The night is darkest just before the dawn.” Well, tomorrow morning Met fans will look out into the horizon and see the sun starting to creep up into the sky.

On the other side of town on 161^st Street in the Boogie Down Bronx, the Yankees Batman returns to Gotham for the first time since 2007. Don Mattingly’s place in Yankee history doesn’t need to be explained. The love the fans will show him tonight, despite wearing a uniform that doesn’t include pinstripes, will be matched only by the ovation Derek Jeter will one day receive when he takes his place in Monument Park. That is of course, unless Mattingly exacts his revenge and takes the job of the man who took it from him in 2007. Mattingly never got to experience the joys of winning a championship like Jeter or Girardi, but that has only made the love and support for the “Hitman” even stronger.

Whether it is welcoming back a legend or watching potential future ones, The City That Never Sleeps will be buzzing tonight with excitement and anticipation. Whether you love or hate the teams, take notice if you’re a baseball fan because a night like tonight doesn’t come around often.