Why Baseball Will Always Be King in New York

What can you say about the Northeast's fascination with baseball?

While the rest of the country is obsessing over which NFL teams will take the final playoff spots, Northeast cities, particularly New York, are turning to the sports section with anticipation.

However, that anticipation is not to see how Brandon Jacob's knee has been holding up in practice; or how Brett Favre is handling himself during what could be his last week sporting the Jet's Hess Truck green and white. No, for most people living in this region of the country, baseball is still king—even in December and January.

It is actually comical. This past weekend the New York Giants clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC, while the Jets will be fighting for their last chance to make the playoffs this coming Sunday.

Yet, they have taken a back seat to the Yankees and Mets over the last three days, and for the better part of the NFL season.

Did baseball season not end two months ago?!

The answer is technically "yes," however, any New Yorker could tell you that in this city, baseball is pretty much a year-round thing.

And why should anything be different? In what has been a lean offseason for most other baseball teams around the country, the Yankees and Mets have both made the biggest splashes on the free agent and trade markets, by far.

It has actually come to a point wherein both teams have made it impossible for any other team in baseball to get a national headline. Every big name that was out there currently resides in or around the Big Apple!

So it is no wonder why the people of this great city will always remain loyal to baseball, first and foremost.

These teams understand what kind of support they receive from their fans. And both, even the Mets, never cease to dig down into the deepest regions of their pockets to produce what they believe is the greatest team that could possibly be on their respective fields.

While baseball fans from all over the country concern themselves with how much money these teams, particularly the Yankees, spend, what people have to realize is that the revenue stream for both New York teams is absolutely endless.

With the Yankee's sports network, YES, and the Mets’ SNY, in addition to their two new stadiums (both appear to be breathtaking, by the way), not to mention record breaking ticket and merchandise sales, the monetary resources for both teams are limitless.

And on top of that, it is we, the people of New York, who keep everything running. It is all thanks to the absolute, unconditional love that the fans of both teams display. And both teams, in turn, show that love back.

Sure, you could call both front offices nothing but a bunch of cold-hearted businessmen looking to make a profit. But what front office is not consistent with this model?!

At least our cold hearted businessmen reinvest in the team, and not just themselves.

This offseason was the perfect example of both teams showing their gratitude. By going out and getting the biggest and best names, the Yankees and Mets have shown us, once again, that they are willing to do anything for us.

While it was a no-brainer that the Mets needed to revamp their bullpen, they did not simply bring in a couple of guys to fill in the holes. What the Mets did was bring in two of the game’s best closers, via free agency and trade.

Now, what was their most glaring weakness in 2008, has arguably become their greatest strength for 2009.

While they could still use some outfield help (many names are still out on the market, by the way), they did everything but cut corners when it came to giving their fans what they wanted.

And as for the Yankees? Where do I begin?

The Yankees made their mark this offseason by adding three of this year’s top four available free agents to their roster. The additions of CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and now first base slugger Mark Teixeira have once again reasserted that the Bronx Bombers truly are the “Evil Empire."

And you know what? We love it!

So say all you want about there needing to be a salary cap for Major League Baseball. The fact remains that the best fans of baseball deserve the best teams in baseball.

Conversely, I do understand that for many teams, especially in small markets, the lack of interest in the sport is a vicious cycle.

Most fans are not going to support a product that does not do anything for them.

However, you do not have the right to complain about the moves of a team you do not support just as you do not have the right to complain about the decisions of an elected candidate if you do not vote.

Actually showing up to our team’s games and driving their product has worked for us. And it has encouraged the Yankees and Mets to both put their money down on the table.

Give it a try.

As I said before, as long as we New Yorkers keep on loving our teams, they will keep on trying to make us happy.