I think when the Mets win at home, they should also play "NEW YORK, NEW YORK" by Frank Sinatra. Although it is only usually played at Yankee Stadium, I think it should be played whenever ANY New York team wins. Especially in the World Series. Frank would have wanted it that way.
4
I'm a lifelong Royals fan and, other than for the next week, pull for the Mets as the anti-Yankees, keeping the karmic balance in our greatest city.
One question for the Mets fans here: With such a great name as the Metropolitans, why can't the team have at least one jersey type that spells it out in full? Sure it's a long name and jersey real estate is limited, but it could be done and would be great to see.
Go Royals!!!
One question for the Mets fans here: With such a great name as the Metropolitans, why can't the team have at least one jersey type that spells it out in full? Sure it's a long name and jersey real estate is limited, but it could be done and would be great to see.
Go Royals!!!
2
Maybe you are thinking of the 19th century baseball team called the NY Metropolitans, the first team to play at the original field called the Polo Grounds, a team that existed before the NY Giants, Dodgers or Yankees. But that was entirely a different franchise. It's never ever been the modern NL team's name. The name of the club is the New York Metropolitan Baseball Club but the name of the team since day one in 1962 is the Mets. People call them the 5-syllable word affectionately but no statement by the franchise has ever said "The New York Metropolitans". Why doesn't your team shirt or lpgo have a picture of a Kansas City Royal, which is a horse?
Because it would be dumb, that's why.
Because it would be dumb, that's why.
1
The Mets have the superior rotation, but the Royals have excellent speed on the base paths. If the Mets are to win the series, they need to neutralize the running game of the Royals.
2
Drought? If New York is not on top of the baseball world for a minute, then we are in a drought!
When I grew up on 205th street in St. Albans, one block away from Andrew Jackson High, baseball (softball, stickball, punchball) still ruled. I was 13 in 1969, the year I fell head over heels in love with baseball. My best friend, and St. Albans Baptist Church little league teammate, Martin and I would meet up at Pete's Pizzeria on the corner of 116th Ave and Francis Lewis Boulevard after school to watch the Mets and Orioles go at it. How amazing to see our Metsies in the only sports championship that truly mattered. Euphoria!
No one ever told me I had to make a choice so I was (and still am) a sick Yankees fan too. If anything, its become even more intense over the years now from my vantage point in Maryland.
How blessed we are to have two teams with such different, but equally amazing legacies.
My youngest daughter (the only one of the three who is a baseball buddy to me) spent this summer in NYC, working for a .90 caliber law firm. When my mother and I visited, we spent that Sunday making our first trip to Citifield (a magnificent place), the day Nieuwenhuis harvested three taters. Soon thereafter, the Mets got on their roll. So Mr. Wilpon and assorted Mets' fans, give us the credit we're due!
My buddy Martin is no longer of this world. But I know he'll be watching from the Upper Deck, counting on a wild and wooly affair with the Mets coming out on top! LETS GO METS!!!
When I grew up on 205th street in St. Albans, one block away from Andrew Jackson High, baseball (softball, stickball, punchball) still ruled. I was 13 in 1969, the year I fell head over heels in love with baseball. My best friend, and St. Albans Baptist Church little league teammate, Martin and I would meet up at Pete's Pizzeria on the corner of 116th Ave and Francis Lewis Boulevard after school to watch the Mets and Orioles go at it. How amazing to see our Metsies in the only sports championship that truly mattered. Euphoria!
No one ever told me I had to make a choice so I was (and still am) a sick Yankees fan too. If anything, its become even more intense over the years now from my vantage point in Maryland.
How blessed we are to have two teams with such different, but equally amazing legacies.
My youngest daughter (the only one of the three who is a baseball buddy to me) spent this summer in NYC, working for a .90 caliber law firm. When my mother and I visited, we spent that Sunday making our first trip to Citifield (a magnificent place), the day Nieuwenhuis harvested three taters. Soon thereafter, the Mets got on their roll. So Mr. Wilpon and assorted Mets' fans, give us the credit we're due!
My buddy Martin is no longer of this world. But I know he'll be watching from the Upper Deck, counting on a wild and wooly affair with the Mets coming out on top! LETS GO METS!!!
1
A long World Series winning drought is all cruel taunting narcissism and hubris relative to a fan of either of Chicago's major league baseball teams. In 2003 both of Chicago's teams had gone longer without a World Series championship than the whining whimpering next in futile line Boston Red Sox. The Cubs last won in 1908, the White Sox 1917 and the Red Sox in 1918. The White Sox bet on and threw the 1919 World Series. The Red Sox won in 2004 and the White Sox won in 2005. The Red Sox won two more times. The Cubs are still winless. In the MLB beginning there were no Royals nor Metropolitans nor Twins nor Blue Jays nor Marlins.
1
How can you not like a team with players who call themselves "Thor" or "The Dark Knight"? Hard to believe that in June and July there were widespread complaints about so many minor leaguers who had no hope of having a meaningful big league career blanketing the Mets roster.
I hope that the Wilpons have learned from the acquisition spree that propelled this team into the World Series that this team continues to warrant meaningful investment that augments its strong core of young players.
Be a shame to see them regress to their penny pinching.
I hope that the Wilpons have learned from the acquisition spree that propelled this team into the World Series that this team continues to warrant meaningful investment that augments its strong core of young players.
Be a shame to see them regress to their penny pinching.
1
The Royals and the Mets respectively model excellent small-market management and development and excellent large-market/second-team management. If only my White Sox followed either model. Sigh...
2
The only thing I enjoy more than watching the World Series is reading these comments. Extremely enjoyable and down right funny. Thank you for making me laugh out loud.
2
Baseball is, or used to be, a warm weather sport. That the World Series is scheduled to be played in November is an abomination.
Fans huddled in their seats wearing gloves and scarves and winter jackets is a far cry from when the baseball season concluded with the Fall Classic played the during the often glorious weather in the first week in October. Here's wishing the avaricious lords of baseball shorten the duration of the season by returning to the scheduling of doubleheaders. Fat chance.
Fans huddled in their seats wearing gloves and scarves and winter jackets is a far cry from when the baseball season concluded with the Fall Classic played the during the often glorious weather in the first week in October. Here's wishing the avaricious lords of baseball shorten the duration of the season by returning to the scheduling of doubleheaders. Fat chance.
3
In NYC, the average high on April 1 is 53 and the average low is 37. On November 1, the average high is 57 and the average low is 42.
So, having games go into November is no worse than having games start at the beginning of April.
So, having games go into November is no worse than having games start at the beginning of April.
2
puh-leeze. Talk to the Cubs and Indians about a drought. Even the Red Sox. The Mets have 3 titles in 46 years, same as the Red Sox. Life is good!
1
New York and baseball go together like brats and beer. Maybe it was the Babe Ruth and Yogi Berra eras that make NY synonymous with baseball. I am thrilled that one of the New York teams will be in the World Series and hope that this series will be just as enthralling as the 1997 World Series. Every one of those 7 games the Twins and Indians played ended in nail biting extra innings. That was some great baseball then and I expect nothing less from the Mets. May they crush the Royals.
3
Interestingly, no one is pointing out that this is the first all-expansion World Series. Two expansion teams playing one another. It's amazing that, 54 years after the Angels and Senators/Rangers were created, that this has never happened before.
1
I have been a Royals fan since the inception of the team in 1969. They have the best defense I have ever seen in my 57 years of watching major league baseball, great team speed (Lorenzo Cain's dash for home Friday night against Toronto was incredible and will go down as one of the greatest plays in Royals' history), and the best bullpen in the game. Royals in five games!
3
I'm rooting for the long hairs, Go Mets!
7
The Royals have a tremendous record in the playoffs both last year and this. That's because high-pressure situations play to their strengths. They put the ball in play and the more the pressure the greater the possibility that the defense will make a mistake. One of the biggest plays in the Toronto series was a routine fly to short right field by Zobrist. They are the best baserunning team in baseball and that puts more pressure on the defense. The Cubs had a horrible fielder in left field. The Royals have gold-glove defenders all over the field. The Mets had better hit a lot of home runs or else they will be in trouble. Ask Toronto.
2
I am a Yankees fan for almost half a century.
My daughter, inexplicably, has been a Mets fanatic for a decade.
Blood is thicker than water.
Lets go Mets!!
My daughter, inexplicably, has been a Mets fanatic for a decade.
Blood is thicker than water.
Lets go Mets!!
8
Kevin...you are a diplomat and a scholar.
You're doing the right thing.
You will be greatly rewarded in the baseball afterlife.
Let's Go Mets !
You're doing the right thing.
You will be greatly rewarded in the baseball afterlife.
Let's Go Mets !
5
Kevin: Finally some good parenting going on out there!
2
30 years is not a "drought," much less a "long drought." There are 30 teams in MLB. But for the unequal markets and the purchasing power that goes with those markets, each team should win the World Series only once every 30 years on average. The Cubs and Indians are in long droughts, and several other teams are in droughts. There should be no sympathy for the Mets and Royals.
4
As a Mets fan since '62 (and I'll admit I have no stomach for the really bad years) I often default to pessimism.
Maybe it's more fun to win when you look at it this way!
This article doesn't deter my instincts at all.
Royals hit the fastball well.
They have great pitching, both starters and relief.
Their lineup is stronger than last year.
They are hungry.
The Mets pitchers loom much larger in our prospects for success so if they are not sharp and get behind in counts, the fastball will be thrown to guys who can slap it.
But I like Cuddyer's analysis of the Mets pitchers.
If they pitch to potential, look out.
Hopefully our hitters, particularly Duda, Wright, Cespedes can be a force. Sans that we got problems.
Baseball is quirky, a game with infinite possibilities.
And, every Mets fan knows that the God "Quirk" always favors the Mets.
A fun series awaits - the victor will deserve it.
Maybe it's more fun to win when you look at it this way!
This article doesn't deter my instincts at all.
Royals hit the fastball well.
They have great pitching, both starters and relief.
Their lineup is stronger than last year.
They are hungry.
The Mets pitchers loom much larger in our prospects for success so if they are not sharp and get behind in counts, the fastball will be thrown to guys who can slap it.
But I like Cuddyer's analysis of the Mets pitchers.
If they pitch to potential, look out.
Hopefully our hitters, particularly Duda, Wright, Cespedes can be a force. Sans that we got problems.
Baseball is quirky, a game with infinite possibilities.
And, every Mets fan knows that the God "Quirk" always favors the Mets.
A fun series awaits - the victor will deserve it.
3
The Royals won the ALCS when Lorenzo Cain scored on a single. Because there are statistics on everything, we can pretty much prove that the next Royal who tries this is not going to make it. First, the Mets outfield is among the leaders in throwing runners out at the plate.. Second, the Royals are too daring on the bases and get thrown out at home three times as often as the Mets. Third, the Royals third base coach was the goat of last year's series, holding the tying run at third in the ninth. As I see it, this pretty much proves that, this year, Cespedes will throw the tying run out at home in the bottom of the ninth of game 7. Statistics don't lie. Mets win.
2
He's a goat for sure along with about 99% of all baseball analysts/experts/coaches who agreed with Jirschele's call not to send Alex Gordon home in game 7 last year. His decision was based on his knowledge of the Giants. He would have been thrown out for sure. This same "goat" also noticed that Bautista always throws to second in situations similar to the Hosmer hit to the corner in game 6 of the ALCS. What was the result there? The winning run. Last, these "daring" Royals had the third highest stolen base success rate in the MLB this season at approx. 75% so I'd say that your comment about them being "too daring" pretty much falls very flat. Fourteen teams had a higher "caught stealing" total than the Royals. I'd say more often than not they take calculated risks. And it's fair to say that given Jirschele's scouting abilities he would know enough about the Mets outfielders to not send Cain should a similar situation arise.
3
Sharon: Spot on. The people that continue to harp on Jirschele "losing" the Series last year don't' understand baseball relays and probabilities.
Game 6 was another fine coaching job by Jirschele and it was not luck or daring, when interviewed he said that scouts and he too had seen Bautista make this cutoff man mistake multiple time previously. That's baseball intelligence.
As far as Cespedes goes, if he keeps injuring himself playing golf before games, the Royals might very well find opportunities...
Game 6 was another fine coaching job by Jirschele and it was not luck or daring, when interviewed he said that scouts and he too had seen Bautista make this cutoff man mistake multiple time previously. That's baseball intelligence.
As far as Cespedes goes, if he keeps injuring himself playing golf before games, the Royals might very well find opportunities...
Actually Cain had already done it before in the playoffs this year thus thoroughly disproving your theory that a Royal who tries it a second time will be thrown out.
Who to pull for as a Red Sox fan? There is no clear underdog. The Mets win in ’86 still a sour loss for Red Sox fans, despite the breaking of the curse… but, hey, it is not like we are rooting for the Yankees. I like their spirit… go Mets!
8
I actually think the Royals will sweep the Mets. Adding Rios and Morales to their batting order has made them the best team in baseball - and they will expose the Mets as a 'flash in the pan'.
1
To all those arguing that the respective droughts of the Mets and Royals aren’t really that long compared to some other teams, okay, we get it. But, this is taking a rather simplistic view of the numbers, and does not account for all the heartache involved in those droughts. Let me put it another way that my fellow New Yorkers might better understand.
If some highfalutin investment banker has a one hour commute to Wall Street from the Gold Coast via helicopter, is that really the same commute that some working schmoe makes from Staten Island via the Ferry and the subway even if it also only takes him an hour as well?
The point here is that yes, it’s only been 28 years since the Mets last won the World Series, but I assure you, there has been a lot of train traffic ahead of us, and thank yous for our patience during those 28 years.
(And yes, the investment banker in my scenario was most assuredly a Yankees fan!)
If some highfalutin investment banker has a one hour commute to Wall Street from the Gold Coast via helicopter, is that really the same commute that some working schmoe makes from Staten Island via the Ferry and the subway even if it also only takes him an hour as well?
The point here is that yes, it’s only been 28 years since the Mets last won the World Series, but I assure you, there has been a lot of train traffic ahead of us, and thank yous for our patience during those 28 years.
(And yes, the investment banker in my scenario was most assuredly a Yankees fan!)
5
bring in Kranepool! i used to share a locker with him at Monroe HS. in the bronx. He was older so didn't know me, but he could hit sky high pop ups even then. oh, I mean bring him in for the royals.
just kidding, eddie. yr great.
just kidding, eddie. yr great.
I was just home on leave from Viet Nam and my best friend had tickets to the '69 world series games and took me to the winning game. I had the rosin bag on the mound in my sights and I made a mad dash for it and got it. My wife's family was neighbor's of Nolan Ryan back in Texas, so that was a easy signature to get from the "Miracle Mets". Gil Hodges was also easy, because my dad knew him. Then came Tom Seaver, Tug McGraw, Jerry Koosman, and Gary Gentry. To this day, the ticket to the final game in little plastic baggie and the rosin bag have never left my sight on my desk. Go Mets!
5
You are a God sir.
2
Let the good times roll...Go, Mets!
1
With 30 teams in the league, your team should win every 30 years or so. So a 28-9 drought isn't really a drought, it's average.
1
Beat me to it. I'll have to wait 30 years for another chance to say that...
Does this assume all teams have about the same talent level, always? Is it based on anything or just a completely made up theory?
2
Granted, but as my father would say, if you think 30 years is a short time, would you like to stand on your head for 30 years?
1
The Mets are playing on house money. No one expected they would be there this soon after putting the pieces in place. It's great to be a Mets fan and proud of my team. The KC Royals are going to fight hard and the series should go 7 games and offer much excitement.
8
Royals in four.
2
i'm one of those peeps needs 8 hrs of sleep so the next week ain't looking so good for me! Earlier games please! Go Mets!
2
This is nuts. Its a baseball game, for goodness sakes.
It's actually a best of 7 series. The World Series? Maybe you've heard of it?
7
The World Series is a baseball game like the Triple Crown is merely a horse race.
1
The Royal's leadoff hitter, Escobar, always swings at the first pitch, even with this knowledge, the Jays couldn't keep him off base. They put the ball in play against Toronto, a good defensive team, the Mets will have to tighten up. KC's starting pitching is suspect and can be rattled by umpire's calls or batters stepping out, especially Ventura. Their relief is their strong suit, so you need a lead nearing the seventh. The Mets's pitching is superior, but this Royal's team gets timely hits and can move runners. Should be a good series.
2
There seems to be a consensus forming that the Royals are the favorite. The Royals are so different from the teams the Mets have beat, and it's assumed that the Mets won't have an answer for this. I see very little about what the Mets do that the Royals aren't going to be prepared for.
The Mets have seen Cueto, Madsen and Volquez from their longer years in the NL, and Chris Young WAS a Met a couple of years ago.
The Royals haven't seen deGrom, Harvey, Syndergaard or Matz nearly as much.
The Royals haven't seen deGrom, Harvey, Syndergaard or Matz nearly as much.
1
The Royals score more runs and give up more runs than most teams the Mets have played. Since the trade deadline, the Mets are .500 in games where they give up at least three runs. That suggests that the Mets will generally win games where they limit the Royals to two runs, that it will be a toss-up if they give up 3 runs, and that they will be at a substantial disadvantage if they give up 4 or more runs. Of course, Murphy may have a different view.
Of course, games aren't won on statistics, statistics are created by games. But then, baseball is popular with number crazy people.
1
There's a 100 percent probability that the Mets will win games in which they score more runs than the Royals, and vice versa. You can take that to the bank.
2015 OBP is nearly the same with the Royals edging the Mets by 0.03 points. Mets own a 0.30 advantage in team ERA. If you factor the starting pitchers' ERA NYM hold a clear advantage.
Let's go to the playoffs ERA match-ups:
Harvey (2.84) vs. Cueto (7.88)
Degrom (1.80) vs. Volquez (4.32)
Syndergarrd (2.77) vs. Ventura (5.09)
Matz (3.72) vs. Young (3.12)
The odds are, Mets will be scoring more than 3 per game and Royals, 3 or less. You can keep your second-half stats. I'll take the playoffs stats...just ask the Cubs or Dodgers.
I agree that these games should be excellent. Mets, in 5...maybe 6.
Let's go to the playoffs ERA match-ups:
Harvey (2.84) vs. Cueto (7.88)
Degrom (1.80) vs. Volquez (4.32)
Syndergarrd (2.77) vs. Ventura (5.09)
Matz (3.72) vs. Young (3.12)
The odds are, Mets will be scoring more than 3 per game and Royals, 3 or less. You can keep your second-half stats. I'll take the playoffs stats...just ask the Cubs or Dodgers.
I agree that these games should be excellent. Mets, in 5...maybe 6.
2
How refreshing. An article without reference to agents, inning limits, doctors--just good analysis and balanced reporting. Thanks. Now let's play ball. Let the zeitgeist of baseball roll. This is supposed to be fun, boys and girls!
In the perfect expression of what it means to play in the WS, David Wright during the clubhouse celebration: "the World Series! The World Series! The World Series!
In the perfect expression of what it means to play in the WS, David Wright during the clubhouse celebration: "the World Series! The World Series! The World Series!
18
It would be a little more refreshing if they started a few games before 8pm!
3
To be sung to the tune of the old Reingold Beer commercial
"From Canarsie to Connecticut,
And on Flatbush Avenue,
From Jersey's scenes,
Way out to Queens,
Let's sing as millions do":
LET'S GO METS!
"From Canarsie to Connecticut,
And on Flatbush Avenue,
From Jersey's scenes,
Way out to Queens,
Let's sing as millions do":
LET'S GO METS!
8
Gotta go with KC here. Good pitching beats good hitting. Five games max.
2
You do realize that the Mets have far superior starting pitching, right?
7
But the Mets have better pitching...
1
A little perspective, please.
Longest current World Series championship droughts
107 seasons Chicago Cubs 1908
67 seasons Cleveland Indians 1948
55 seasons Texas Rangers never (franchise began 1961)
54 seasons Houston Astros never (franchise began 1962)
47 seasons Milwaukee Brewers never (franchise began 1969)
47 seasons San Diego Padres never (franchise began 1969)
47 seasons Washington Nationals never (franchise began 1969)
39 seasons Seattle Mariners never (franchise began 1977)
36 seasons Pittsburgh Pirates 1979
32 seasons Baltimore Orioles 1983
31 seasons Detroit Tigers 1984
29 seasons Kansas City Royals 1985
28 seasons New York Mets 1986
27 seasons Los Angeles Dodgers 1988
26 seasons Oakland Athletics 1989
25 seasons Cincinnati Reds 1990
Longest current World Series championship droughts
107 seasons Chicago Cubs 1908
67 seasons Cleveland Indians 1948
55 seasons Texas Rangers never (franchise began 1961)
54 seasons Houston Astros never (franchise began 1962)
47 seasons Milwaukee Brewers never (franchise began 1969)
47 seasons San Diego Padres never (franchise began 1969)
47 seasons Washington Nationals never (franchise began 1969)
39 seasons Seattle Mariners never (franchise began 1977)
36 seasons Pittsburgh Pirates 1979
32 seasons Baltimore Orioles 1983
31 seasons Detroit Tigers 1984
29 seasons Kansas City Royals 1985
28 seasons New York Mets 1986
27 seasons Los Angeles Dodgers 1988
26 seasons Oakland Athletics 1989
25 seasons Cincinnati Reds 1990
28
The Washington Nationals franchise joined MLB in 2005. 11 seasons in the hunt for a championship.
The headline says "long" drought, not "longest".
Natvsun; the Washington Nationals are the Montreal Expos relocated 6.5 degrees to the south.
You many not want to admit it, but it's in the record books.
You many not want to admit it, but it's in the record books.
2
Seriously? "A long drought"? When the Cubs haven't won in more than a century?
8
The Royals' drought is even longer, if you consider the fact that they "won" in '85 thanks to a blown call at first that handed them the victory.
2
This is the myth that folks in St. Louis try so hard to hold onto. The fact is the Royals were robbed of a run in the 4th by a bad call on Frank White's stolen base, and Denkinger's was a bad call that went the opposite way, evening things out.
Most importantly, there was still a Game 7 that had to be played. Royals won't that 11 to zip, and outscored the Cardinals 28-13 in the Series.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985_World_Series
Most importantly, there was still a Game 7 that had to be played. Royals won't that 11 to zip, and outscored the Cardinals 28-13 in the Series.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985_World_Series
5
Terrible shame to lose Game 6 on a blown call, but if the Cardinals win game 7, that call would have been forgotten. They did not lose the World Series on one play.
2
Aside from having a whole extra chance to win game 7 with their ace on the mound and getting blown out, the Cards infielders could have caught the foul ball later that inning but they blew that too. St Louis fans have to stop crying about a bad call
2
You've got to root for Kansas City to win their first World Series (the 1985 World Series was won by umpire Don Denkinger in Game 6). Missouri, the home of good baseball without massive coastal overspending. Plus, Kansas City is a much friendlier place than New York City.
Go Cardinals in 2016!
Go Cardinals in 2016!
2
Cardinals fan tone deaf to his "team exceptionalism" in so many ways in one comment! Most notably in not realizing how low the Mets' payroll is.
6
Spoken by someone who obviously has never spent any real time in New York.
Take a day or two away from your banal and mundane mid-western lifestyle to come to New York City, and you'll see one of the friendliest, most helpful, most loyal and cohesive populations on the planet.
Not to mention RESILIENT.
New Yorkers are hospitable, welcoming, and accepting of all, inluding those who come from both the good and bad parts of Illinois.
Take a day or two away from your banal and mundane mid-western lifestyle to come to New York City, and you'll see one of the friendliest, most helpful, most loyal and cohesive populations on the planet.
Not to mention RESILIENT.
New Yorkers are hospitable, welcoming, and accepting of all, inluding those who come from both the good and bad parts of Illinois.
3
Who cares? It will be the lowest ratings in years.
Ratings? RATINGS?? Baseball fans don't need no stinkin' ratings!! We need good TVs.
5
And this, if true, will make you feel good how?
12
I don't agree. It's going to be very good baseball, and the ratings will reflect that.
5
I'm looking forward to an excruciating World Series.
Let's Go Mets !
Let's Go Mets !
24
There are 30 MLB teams, so (skipping over the fact that the number has changed over the years), the expected wait between World Series wins of any team is 30. So the Mets and the Royals are about on target, and their wait shouldn't be considered long.
9
long if you are a Yankee fan; way short if you are a Cubs fan, n'est-ce pas?
4
Don't you love it when somebody who's probably Ok or better in "statistics" gets out of his/her depth in an unfamiliar area - this time, sports.
Even if "balance" has improved - and that's arguable - and even if KC in the World Series 2 years in a row is not the aberration I think it is - there IS a reason why most New Yorkers who "like winners" like the Yankees - "statistically," they'd be the team to bet on next season over the Mets - the writer's analysis is akin to this:
"The U.N. has a couple of hundred members, so why bet that next year's Nobel in Literature will go to a Brit over a Guatamalan?"
Even if "balance" has improved - and that's arguable - and even if KC in the World Series 2 years in a row is not the aberration I think it is - there IS a reason why most New Yorkers who "like winners" like the Yankees - "statistically," they'd be the team to bet on next season over the Mets - the writer's analysis is akin to this:
"The U.N. has a couple of hundred members, so why bet that next year's Nobel in Literature will go to a Brit over a Guatamalan?"
1
Tell that to the Yankees.