(Long Island, NY) The baseball season may only be approximately one third old and summer has not officially started, but our local baseball teams are all playing well enough to think big. The Mets have a 9 1/2 game lead in the National League East, the Yankees were tied for the top spot in the American League East, and the Long Island Ducks were up by a game in the North Division of the Atlantic League.
The Mets returned home from an extremely successful 9-1 road trip that could set the tone for the rest of the regular season. They took 2 out of three in Los Angeles then swept a four game set in Arizona. They then headed back east to Philadelphia to take on the second place Phillies. A three game sweep opened up a nice lead to practically double digits. The Mets have been starting off games fast by scoring before the opposition has a turn at bat. There is no better way to demoralize a team by taking the crowd out the game before the hot dogs are even cooked.
The Yankees have been inconsistent in the early going, but their division rivals have had their share of difficulties, too. The Boston Red Sox and Yankees have been neck and neck all season to the surprise of no one. The improved Toronto Blue Jays have started creeping up on the two big boys in the division and can be a player in this race.
The Ducks have been on top for most of the season with a slim lead. The have already lost some of their opening day roster to the major leagues, which is the way of life in the Independent Leagues. Their recent acquisition, former two time American League MVP Juan Gonzalez, has hit safely in all four games since signing and looks to join his former teammates on the road back to the big leagues. If the Ducks can maintain their lead, they can qualify for their third straight post season appearance with the First Half division championship.
How the Mets and Yanks fair the rest of the way is still debatable. There is such a long way to go, but one has to figure that one, if not both clubs, will make the playoffs. Baseball folks are starting to whisper that the Mets may be the best team in baseball. The way things appear, they should be able to win their division.
The Yanks will be there until the end and should be able to hold off Boston and Toronto. Is there a deal in their future to give them the edge? With George Steinbrenner, you have to guess that he won’t stand pat if others are making noise around the July 31st trading deadline.
A long, hot summer followed by baseball played deep into the fall. Would New Yorkers have it any other way?
