Before Steve Cohen came and figuratively changed the narrative around the Mets, the boroughs of Queens hosted what New Yorkers popularly dubbed a “poverty franchise.” And back in 2000, when the New York Mets were preparing to host the mighty New York Yankees in the iconic World Subway Series, George Steinbrenner wasn’t happy with the clubhouse in Shea Stadium, and pulled off a rather wild gesture, as recounted by Derek Jeter.

After winning the first two games of the all-important World Series, the Yankees traveled to the other side of New York, to the Mets’ home, Shea Stadium, but faced a rather absurd problem.

Back when George Steinbrenner wasn’t happy with the Shea Stadium clubhouse:

After reaching Shea Stadium, George Steinbrenner, along with the rest of the Yankees roster, believed that the furniture was very poor. As a result, Steinbrenner, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 80, pulled off a rather wild gesture and brought in furniture from Yankee Stadium to furnish the clubhouse.

As narrated by Derek Jeter, “The clubhouse furniture was so bad, Mr. Steinbrenner brought our furniture from Yankee Stadium and put it in the clubhouse there because he couldn’t deal with it. He wanted his players to be comfortable.”

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Notably, the Yankees lost the first game at Shea Stadium but came back strong to win the first-ever World Subway Series in five games.

Derek Jeter was even ready to leave Manhattan had the Yankees lost the 2000 World Series…

The World Subway Series was a big deal for everyone in New York. All of a sudden, the distinction between Manhattan and Queens was right out there. And even the always-cool, Derek Jeter felt the heat of this consistently building pressure. While talking about this pressure, Jeter said, “I lived in Manhattan, right? My entire career. If we lost, I don’t think I would’ve stayed in Manhattan. Because that was all anyone was talking about. Get in a cab, people are yelling at you, ‘you better not lose.’ And Mets fans, ‘you’re going to lose.’ And anywhere you went, that’s all anyone was talking about. And I loved it. Everybody’s coming to watch.”

Do you think Jeter would’ve actually left New York had the Yankees lost? What do you think?

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