The Great Debate: Does Manhattan Like the Yankees or Mets?
Ah, the age-old debate: Who do New Yorkers love more, the Yankees or the Mets? As the two most popular Major League Baseball teams in New York City, the Yankees and the Mets have been going head-to-head for generations.
For some New Yorkers, the answer to this question is a no-brainer. They are die-hard fans of either the Yankees or the Mets, and would never even consider rooting for the other team. For others, however, the debate is much more nuanced.
So, does Manhattan like the Yankees or Mets? To answer this question, let’s look at the facts.
Historical Success
The Yankees are one of the most successful teams in Major League Baseball history, with 27 World Series titles and 40 American League pennants. The Mets, on the other hand, have only two World Series titles and five National League pennants. This significant difference in historical success gives the Yankees a distinct advantage in the debate of who Manhattan likes more.
Attendance
The Yankees have traditionally had higher attendance numbers than the Mets. In 2019, the Yankees sold over 3.5 million tickets, while the Mets sold just over 2.6 million. This difference in attendance could be attributed to the Yankees’ larger fan base, which may have been built over time due to the team’s success.
Popularity in Manhattan
The Yankees and Mets both have a strong presence in Manhattan. The Yankees’ home stadium, Yankee Stadium, is located in the Bronx, which is just north of Manhattan. The Mets’ home stadium, Citi Field, is located in Queens, just east of Manhattan.
Despite the geographical proximity of the two stadiums, the Yankees tend to be more popular in Manhattan. This could be due to the Yankees’ higher attendance numbers, as well as the team’s historical success.
Media Coverage
The Yankees and Mets both receive a significant amount of media coverage in New York City. The Yankees, however, tend to get more coverage due to their larger fan base and historical success. This can be seen in the number of newspaper articles and television segments dedicated to the Yankees compared to the Mets.
Merchandise Sales
When it comes to merchandise sales, the Yankees are the clear winner. The Yankees have a wide variety of apparel and memorabilia that can be found in stores across the city, as well as online. The Mets, on the other hand, have fewer options when it comes to merchandise.
Social Media
The Yankees and Mets both have active social media accounts, where they post updates on the team and engage with fans. The Yankees have significantly more followers than the Mets, however, with over 3 million followers on Twitter and over 5 million followers on Instagram.
Celebrity Fans
The Yankees and Mets both have a number of celebrity fans, including actors, musicians, and athletes. The Yankees, however, have more high-profile celebrity fans, such as Jennifer Lopez, Jay-Z, and Derek Jeter.
The Verdict
Based on the facts, it seems that Manhattan does indeed prefer the Yankees to the Mets. The Yankees have a longer history of success, higher attendance numbers, more media coverage, and a larger fan base. They also have more merchandise options and a larger number of celebrity fans.
Reasons Why Manhattan Likes the Yankees
Historical Success
The Yankees are one of the most successful teams in Major League Baseball history, with 27 World Series titles and 40 American League pennants. This long history of success has made the Yankees a beloved team in New York City, and has earned them the admiration of many fans in Manhattan.
Attendance
The Yankees have traditionally had higher attendance numbers than the Mets. This could be due to the team’s larger fan base, as well as its historical success.
Popularity in Manhattan
Despite the geographical proximity of the two stadiums, the Yankees tend to be more popular in Manhattan. This could be due to the Yankees’ higher attendance numbers, as well as the team’s historical success.
Media Coverage
The Yankees tend to get more media coverage than the Mets due to their larger fan base and historical success. This can be seen in the number of newspaper articles and television segments dedicated to the Yankees compared to the Mets.
Merchandise Sales
The Yankees have a wide variety of apparel and memorabilia that can be found in stores across the city, as well as online. This gives the Yankees an edge over the Mets in the merchandise sales department.
Social Media
The Yankees have significantly more followers than the Mets on social media, which could be due to the team’s higher attendance numbers and larger fan base.
Celebrity Fans
The Yankees have more high-profile celebrity fans than the Mets, including Jennifer Lopez, Jay-Z, and Derek Jeter. This could be a factor in why Manhattan likes the Yankees more.
Reasons Why Manhattan Likes the Mets
Despite the fact that Manhattan seems to prefer the Yankees, there are a few reasons why some New Yorkers may prefer the Mets.
Geographical Proximity
The Mets’ home stadium, Citi Field, is located in Queens, just east of Manhattan. This geographical proximity could make the Mets more attractive to some Manhattanites who don’t want to make the trip to the Bronx to watch the Yankees play.
Underdog Status
The Mets are often seen as the underdog in the Yankees-Mets rivalry. This could appeal to some fans in Manhattan who like to root for the underdog.
Unique Identity
The Mets have a unique identity that has been built over time. The team has its own set of traditions, mascots, and fan culture that make them stand out from the Yankees.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the debate of who Manhattanites like more, the Yankees or the Mets, is largely a matter of opinion. Some people may be die-hard Yankees fans, while others may be die-hard Mets fans. The facts, however, suggest that the Yankees are the more popular team in Manhattan.
The Yankees have a longer history of success, higher attendance numbers, more media coverage, and a larger fan base. They also have more merchandise options and a larger number of celebrity fans. Though the Mets may have some advantages, such as their geographical proximity and underdog status, the Yankees seem to be the clear favorite in Manhattan.