If you’re a Los Angeles Dodgers fan planning a spontaneous trip to New York, you’re bound to encounter some intriguing quirks unique to the east coast city.
Picture this: the imposing Statue of Liberty is in the odd position of seeming to beckon a right-handed relief pitcher. The High Line, a public park built on a historic, railway spur in the West Side of Manhattan, can feel as if it’s on a continuous loop, with waiting trains seeming to take forever to arrive. And the simple act of eating tacos makes you ponder if they can be trusted, in stark contrast to the ones back home where you are confident about their quality. Following a tense game, you may be left wondering if the soothing sounds of Randy Newman will fill the air, like they do in LA.
Manhattan street, known popularly as Broadway, has a unique history for fans of the Mets. It was here that a grand ticker-tape parade erupted after the baseball team claimed victory in the 1969 World Series at Shea Stadium. Since then, ticker tape parades, Shea Stadium and a winning season for the Mets have somehow become unfashionable.
For Dodgers fans, The Bronx holds deep significance. The original Yankee Stadium situated here, was where man-of-the-hour Don Larsen (who was almost a Dodger in another life) made baseball history by pitching a perfect game in 1956. This is also where, in 1981, the Dodgers claimed a decisive victory over the Yankees with a score of 9-2 to win the World Series. Seemingly to erase these memories belonging to the Dodgers, the Yankees later leveled this stadium and erected a new one across the street.
Then we have Carnegie Hall – Essentially, think of it as the Hollywood Bowl but without the enchanting hills, breathtaking stars, surmountable breeze or the option of bringing your own alcohol. Central Park, on the other hand, feels like a deflated version of Griffith Park. It would be like taking Griffith Park, flattening it completely, razing its observatory, shrinking its massive zoo, obliterating all its golf courses and letting the drum circle resonate endlessly throughout the weekend. However, the park does boast an aesthetically pleasing fountain.
Across the river, you will find Katz’s Delicatessen, an establishment situated in the Lower East Side. This eatery became a place of interest after being featured in a well-known scene from the film “When Harry Met Sally”. Fans of Little Italy will be thrilled to know that it heralds back to the origins of the Eataly brand.
Next on the itinerary is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While its baseball content might be slight, the museum offers an impressive collection of art, some being older than LACMA and some even younger than the Getty Villa. The museum also hosts the annual Met Gala, a spectacle where celebrities seemingly take fashion inspiration from Mets players out of uniform.
Moving to Times Square, the hub where New Yorkers gather every New Year’s Eve to brave the cold weather and listen to Anderson Cooper’s long-winded narrative. A tradition that seems to distract them from the painful reality that the Yankees haven’t won a World Series in over 15 years, and the Mets haven’t claimed victory since the turn of the century.
Adding a little international flavor to the mix, a visit to the U.N. Headquarters reminds us of the difficult task these people have – bringing peace to the world. And after they have achieved that monumental feat, perhaps sorting out the Dodgers’ starting rotation would be their next challenge.
Wrapping up the experience, a visit to Brooklyn might feel a tad awkward for Dodgers’ fans. It’s the place where Jackie Robinson is buried, and where Pee Wee Reese spent most of his career. Legend Sandy Koufax grew up here and also made his first major league start in Brooklyn in 1955.
It’s really a city filled with iconic and diverse landscapes. From the rumbling of the subway that keeps you intrigued to the hustle and bustle of the city life. Every corner of New York brings to life a new story, a new experience that will linger in your memory, just like a perfect baseball game. After all, isn’t that what travelling to new places is all about?
