I'm Tired, I'll See Y'All Tomorrow…

Jon Blau, of www.mlb.com, writes about a long grueling day, which started in the Bronx, and ended in Flushing.

NEW YORK -- As Mets manager Jerry Manuel took a handful of questions after the completion of Friday's two-site doubleheader, he was leaning toward the door before the last one could be asked.

"I'm tired; I'll see y'all tomorrow," Manuel said, hoping that every reporter had enough of his post game insight after a straightforward 9-0 loss to the Yankees in Game 2.

After a grueling day -- an entire day -- of baseball, the Mets and Yankees are going to have to suit up in their not-so-long-lost gear at Shea Stadium for a Saturday afternoon game, which was part of the reason why Manuel was anxious to head home.

The return to the ballpark the next day hasn't been overwhelmingly redundant for Mets. In games following doubleheaders this season, the Mets are 2-1.

Obviously, that isn't a large sampling of contests, but the two wins both came after the Mets split the twin bill, both coming at home against the Reds and the Rangers. Conversely, the loss was part of a five-game slide that the Braves contributed heavily toward with four wins in three days.

Following their doubleheader split on June 15, beating the Rangers in the series finale, the Mets had to travel to Anaheim, winning in Willie Randolph's final game as Mets manager, 9-6. Despite the punishing demands of West Coast travel, the Mets had 12 hits and no fielding errors in that game.

So, really, there is no saying the Mets will be tired by this effort much at all. And while Friday's long day at Shea, followed by an afternoon contest the next day isn't an ideal situation, the Mets, like David Wright, were quick to point out that the Yankees have to show up, as well. There's no room for negotiation with the league, and most definitely the fans, that the Subway Series must go on -- no matter how much they sweat on Friday.

"It's tough, it's a long day, it's humid, but we made it," Carlos Delgado said, smiling. "Hopefully, we don't have to do it ever again."

(Both teams will be exhausted. It will be interesting to see who plays in Saturday’s game, as many players will be sluggish.)