This weekend sees the “Subway Series” at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, who host their neighborhood enemy: the New York Yankees. The rivalry between the two teams is legendary. While the Mets are still struggling to achieve the same prestige and success as the Yankees, there is one thing they do not want to emulate: the playing environment. The title numbers are an abysmal mark where the Bronx outfit is the most successful team in MLB history.
However, for New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, he said he wants to see his team more flashy, more cheerful, with a party atmosphere and that this spark is transmitted to their own fans and the world watching baseball games. What he wants to avoid at all costs is the exaggerated formality that exists within the New York Yankees. Since Cohen became the principal owner in 2020, he has overseen multiple changes at Citi Field (home of the Mets) to improve the fan experience.
Steve Cohen’s changes to Citi Field
Under his watch, the right-field wall was moved back 8 feet to create space for the fan experience and the Mets added a 17,400-square-foot scoreboard, the largest of any MLB park in 2023. Last year, they collaborated with McDonald’s and let Grimace, the fast food chain’s mascot, throw out the first pitch. The Mets went on a tear after that, and the purple creature became an unofficial good luck charm. Instead of scorning the fun, the Mets joined in.
It should be noted that the Mets’ current directive has been open with the request of its players. The team’s shortstop, Francisco Lindor has pointed out that the managers do not make decisions based on the moment. They make decisions based on their own training. They talk to a lot of people and make a decision.
The Yankees have also changed in 2025
Although Lindor was not referring to the atmosphere at Citi Field, so to speak, it is very different from that of the strict Yankees team. It is worth remembering that the Yankees’ management did not allow players to wear beards for 50 years, and this season they updated their standards to include “well-groomed” beards.
Although Cohen and the Mets may think the Yankees have stood firm, the strategy seems to be working. The Yankees reached the 2024 World Series, where they almost cemented their record 28th championship title, before falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Now, earlier this year they introduced the “Bat Torpedo”, which revolutionized the shape of the bat, which has allowed them to set home run records. Times change and teams must keep up with the generations to stay relevant with fans.
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