The 70s Disappointment Era

Lore & Background

Until interleague play started, the two teams had only met in exhibition games. Since the inception of interleague play, the two teams have played each other in every regular season since 1997. From 1999 through 2012, they have played six games per season: two three-game series (one series in each team's ballpark). In 2013–2022, the two teams met six games a season; when the AL East and NL East faced each other and four games (two at each park) the other years. In 2023, all MLB teams started facing each other; they played four games each in 2023 and 2024 and played six games in 2025. Both clubs have qualified for the postseason in the same season on six occasions; the two teams faced off in the 2000 World Series. Analysts of the game have commented that the rivalry is the best reason for interleague play.

Reader's Guide

The rivalry has its origins in the histories of the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants, and Yankees. After both of New York's National League teams moved to California, the expansion Mets joined the National League. The Mets played their first two seasons in the Giants' old stadium, the Polo Grounds, before moving into Shea Stadium. Before interleague play, the teams met in the Mayor's Trophy Game from 1963 through 1979, and again in 1982 and 1983; the Yankees posted a record of 10–8–1. The Mayor's Trophy games were played to benefit sandlot baseball. After dwindling interest and public bickering, the game was discontinued after 1983, but revived as a pre-Opening Day series in 1989. In 1997, the Mets and Yankees played their first official game at Yankee Stadium, which the Mets won 6–0 behind Dave Mlicki. In 1999, both teams reached the playoffs for the first time in the same season. In 2000, the teams met in the World Series, which the Yankees won in five games.

Did You Know?

• The first official Mets–Yankees game was on June 16, 1997, at Yankee Stadium, won by the Mets 6–0.
• David Cone won 20 games in 1998 for the Yankees, 10 years after he accomplished the same feat for the Mets, becoming the only player to win 20 games for both teams.
• In 2000, the Yankees defeated the Mets in both ends of an unusual day-night doubleheader played at different stadiums on the same day.
• The 2000 World Series was the first Subway Series World Series since the Yankees' previous all-New York matchups.