Sports 101

Welcome to the Big Apple circus. On Wednesday, the New York Yankees clinched the American League Championship and set the stage for the World Series against the New York Mets.

Tomorrow night, the Yankees will host Game 1 of the World Series. For New York fans, it's a dream come true. For others, the idea of all-New York, all-the-time may be a big turnoff (but take comfort: one New York team will end up losing). "It's going to be more exciting in and around New York City, in the New York metropolitan area, where families are going to be divided by this: brother against brother, father against son," said Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, a lifelong Yankees fan.

Q: How long has it been since the New York Mets were in the World Series?

A: Since 1986, when they beat the Boston Red Sox. The Mets will try to stop the Yankees from winning three World Series titles in a row.

Q: Why is it called the 'subway series'?

A: Because the two parks are connected by subway: the No. 4 or the D train leads to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and the No. 7 train travels to Shea Stadium in Queens. Before stadiums had parking lots for cars, almost all fans traveled to games by subway or trolley. In 1956, it cost just 15 cents. Today, it's $1.50.

Q: Who leads in interleague play?

A: The Yankees hold a 7-5 edge in four years of interleague play. Counting spring training games and meetings in the old Mayor's Trophy exhibitions, the Yankees lead 70-50 with one tie.

Are you excited or turned off by an all-New York series? Send an e-mail to parneyl@csps.com A selection of letters will appear in next week's column.

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