Post by Sha-Le Unique on Aug 10, 2014 20:00:30 GMT -5
For decades, New York City was blessed enough to have not one, not two, but three HOFFBL teams. There were (and still are) the Yankees in the Bronx, the Dodgers in Brooklyn and the Giants in Manhattan. Each borough of fans represented their respective teams well and the Dodgers and Giants formed what has now become one of the longest and most intense rivalries in baseball history.
The Yankees have been in the mix many times in the World Series. The Bronx Bombers are 4-2 all-time in World Series championship series' against the Giants and 6-1 against the Dodgers, with the Dodgers finally getting some revenge in the 1958 World Series with their first ever championship in team history.
However, by the time the Dodgers actually got that first championship, they were long gone from Brooklyn. A year ago, in 1958, Dodgers GM Jeremy Hill and Giants GM Spencer Martin both decided to take their teams out west to Los Angeles and San Francisco, respectively. It was a bold move for both teams because geographically, there were no HOFFBL teams west of Missouri through 1957.
While the two teams seemed very excited about moving out west, the Dodgers and Giants fans in New York were both left without a hometown team to follow. New York City was left without a National League team. This was a huge loss for the Big Apple, and to think that these Dodgers and Giants fans would all of a sudden turn into Yankees fans would be the last thing the vast majority of them at the very least would want to do. Dodgers and Giants don't like each other's teams, but if they share one thing in common, it's a dislike toward the Yankees.
"I've been a very passionate Dodgers fan since 1928 and I've seen it all since then. All the losing seasons, the Shot Heard 'Round the World, Jackie, Duke, Gil, and everyone else that has worn a Dodgers uniform for the past 31 seasons," said John Brown, a 44-year old Brooklyn banker. "We had our ups and downs, but it was a fun team to follow.
"But then of all a sudden, bam...Hill decides to take Brooklyn's team to California. I was in shock and so were my friends. I couldn't believe my team was no longer going to call Brooklyn home. And then, the Dodgers finally win that first championship in their first season in LA? I was happy of course, but at the same time, sort of annoyed that it didn't happen here. It would have made the victory more enjoyable for sure.
"I could never become a Yankee fan. Can't stand that team and will never like them. But I also wouldn't change my allegiance to another team in some other city. I would like to see National League baseball back in New York, but for now at the very least, I will still be a Dodgers fan and even if I will rarely be able to watch a game on TV now. And flying out to LA? Fuggedabatit! We're having a tough time paying bills as is."
Brown also mentioned his six year-old son may not be able to enjoy baseball as much without the Dodgers around and it would be sad, unless another National League team relocates to New York or a new team is created. "Johnny Jr. was starting to get to know baseball and I was gonna take him to some games, but I guess that won't be happening for a while unfortunately," Brown said right before he had to catch a train.
Giants fans are no different in mourning the loss of their team. "New York with no Giants in baseball is just weird to even think about. Oh well, at least there's the football Giants, right? (laughs) I miss my baseball team though. Willie Mays is such a superstar now and I really wanted to see McCovey reach his potential as well, but it looks like the San Francisco folk will get that great opportunity instead.
"My dad took me to the Polo Grounds as a kid. Tickets cost 10 cents each and we'd go as much as we could, but never while I was in school. I knew better than to skip class. I saw quite a few great moments and a few Giants championships too. Hopefully, they get back on the right track in this rebuild they are doing. I'll still follow them for sure, but if a new National League team comes to New York one way or another, I'd really have to think about who to root for if that were to happen," stated Brian Kelly, a 57 year-old small business owner and lifelong Giants fan.
The two fans made a good point. New York City is so big in size and population that it really does need at least two teams, with one team in each league. Chicago has always had two teams, so with that being said, New York has to have two teams of their own. When the other National League general managers were asked after the 1957 season if they were considering a potential relocation to New York, the other six GM's from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati and Milwaukee respectively all said no.
However, when then asked if they would be in favor of two new National League expansion franchises coming in to balance out the National League with the American League's own expansion teams in the Los Angeles Angels and the soon-to-be second edition of the Washington Senators, there was a unanimous approval from the six National League GM's. "The leagues need to be even in number of teams. Expansion franchises will broaden the potential of baseball through more of the country and it will be great for the sport. And as for New York, a National League presence is needed there and that can only be a good thing for everyone," remarked Pirates GM Shale Briskin after the meeting.
It was then decided that two new National League franchises would be created for not only New York, but Houston as well. New York lawyer William Shea was particularly thrilled about the news, being that he was in charge of the committee to bring National League baseball back to New York. After the city was awarded a new team, they were eventually voted on being called the "Mets", which is short for Metropolitans.
William A. Shea had a major influence on the Mets coming into existence.
"It took some time to come up with a good team name and there were a good number of options, but ultimately, we went with the Mets in order to represent all of New York and not just a specific borough like our National League predecessors," said Shea, who then revealed that the Mets' team colors will be blue, in honor of the Dodgers and orange, in honor of the Giants. Furthermore, their home uniforms will feature pinstripes, which pays tribute to the crosstown Yankees. Now that's as metropolitan as it gets!
Houston's franchise will be named the "Colt 45's". It is unknown whether the beverage has anything to do with it, but more than likely, more details on that will surface soon enough. The Mets and Colt 45's will be able to start participating in HOFFBL drafts this upcoming offseason in 1960. They will then begin their HOFFBL existences in 1962.
New York's National League fans may still have a bitter taste in their mouths about the Dodgers and Giants moving west, but they can now look forward to soon being able to see the Mets represent National League baseball for many years to come. And the Houston fans can get excited as well that they will be able to have a team of their own.
All in all, there is a lot to look forward to in the future of HOFFBL!
