Generally speaking, April to September (or October, if things are going particularly well) in New York City is baseball season. You, dear reader and avid (or casual) baseball fan, have the chance to visit any of the City’s four ballparks across four different boroughs and see America’s pastime played by both storied and quite new franchises. Each team and home stadium offers something a little different but they have one thing in common: fun. Oh, and offering the opportunity to be outdoors, eat delicious ballpark fare, cheer for the home team, enjoy fun promotional days and, well, we’re sure a few other shared attributes.
Read on for a primer on NYC’s baseball teams and a sense of what to expect at a game.
Aaron Judge. Courtesy, Yankee Stadium
New York Yankees
Who they are In many ways, the Yankees or, familiarly, the Bronx Bombers, need no introduction. Few teams have the name and logo recognition worldwide that the Yankees do. Or are associated with as many titans of the game that can be identified by a single name: the Babe, Gehrig, Jeter, Yogi and Mo, to name but a few. Then there are the numbers, most notably 27, which is how many World Series championships the team has won—by far the most in the league. The Yanks also have the largest number of players—again by a long shot—in the Baseball Hall of Fame that claim the club as their primary team. The team plays in the East Division of Major League Baseball’s American League.
What’s new A 14-year span without a title, for one, just a few years short of the team longest dry spell. In the hopes of correcting that, in late 2023 the Yankees traded for one of the majors’ biggest stars, outfielder Juan Soto. He joins the record holder for the most single-season home runs by an America Leaguer, Aaron Judge, as well as Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole as the faces of the franchise. (Note: at the time of writing, Cole had an injury that could keep him out for at least a few months this season.)
Uniforms Navy pinstripes, of course, and, unusual for the MLB, no players’ names on the backs of home and away jerseys.
Mascot None, but for a brief time (1979–81), there was Dandy, a mustachioed bird that bore some resemblance to a scruffy Muppet.
Stadium The new Yankee Stadium, in the South Bronx, opened in 2009, replacing the famed House That Ruth Built (also known as Yankee Stadium). It has an open-air museum (Monument Park) dedicated to franchise greats and another museum open during games, offers tours, hosts the most vocal of fans in its bleachers and bucked the trend of throwback stadiums that swept baseball in the decade-plus leading up to its construction—opting for a more modern version of the previous park.
Foodwise, there are tons of options from area entries (Mighty Quinn's, City Winery) with new ones added each season, but we rarely tire of the steak sandwich at Lobel’s.
Local fan club An official fan club bestows membership, but the Bleacher Creatures—the name given to those die-hards who sit in right field and chant constantly, leading choruses like “roll call”—are the most fervent of all representatives.
Local supporters’ bar Yankee Tavern, close to the stadium, is full of memorabilia and has been around for decades.
Game-day practicalities Take the B, D or 4 train to 161st St/Yankee Stadium, in the South Bronx. The stadium is right across from the station.
Tickets Buy here.
Pete Alonso. Courtesy, New York Mets
New York Mets
Who they are The Mets began in 1962 with a woeful year. By the end of the decade they had their first World Series title, the 1969 squad earning the moniker the Amazin’ Mets (which has stuck; they are regularly referred to as the Amazins). The title feat was repeated by the 1986 squad, a fun-loving, hard-fighting group led by Doc Gooden, Gary Carter and current Mets analyst Keith Hernandez. The following years featured intermittent periods of success, including two more World Series appearances (one versus the Yankees). Hedge-fund manager Steve Cohen bought the team in 2020, and the organization has been spending failry free-spending since, bringing some star-power balance to New York City baseball. The team plays in the East Division of Major League Baseball’s National League.
What’s new In 2023, the Mets opened their Latin American Hall of Fame—its physical presence is in their Dominican Republic academy—honoring pioneers Ozzie Virgil and Juan Alicea. As far as the team goes, a pair of future Hall of Fame pitchers were traded last year to restock the farm system, a signal that prognosticators (what do they know?) interpret as a reason for lower on-the-field expectations in 2024. A new president of baseball operations, David Stearns, and manager Carlos Mendoza will lead the team as they look to defy those assumptions.
As with all teams, there are promotional days throughout the year, and this season’s giveaways include collaborations with NYC artists, such as a bucket hat designed by Rashid Johnson.
Uniforms The Mets classic colors are blue and orange—a pairing that echoes the City’s flag and has roots in NYC’s colonial history—but the team has a variety of looks, including black uniforms. The traditional home whites have blue pinstripes and a stylish cursive “Mets” in blue and orange across the chest.
Mascot With apologies to the Philly Phanatic, no mascot can touch Mr. Met or his baseball-headed betrothed, Mrs. Met. This silent but perpetually smiling couple is a class act all around, beloved by fans.
Stadium Citi Field, in Flushing, Queens, is styled like an old-school stadium, with a relatively low-rise brick facade (there is nothing old-school about its gigantic scoreboard in the outfield, however). The main entrance is through the airy Jackie Robinson Rotunda, one nod to the inspiration that helped fuel the stadium’s construction (the former owner was a big Brooklyn Dodgers and Ebbets Field fan). A giant apple rises in center field whenever a home run is hit. Tours are available throughout the year, including on game days. For food, there are numerous outposts of local eateries and some new partnerships with celebrity chefs; historically, Shake Shack always seems to have the longest lines.
Local fan club The 7 Line Army
Local supporters bar Standings in the East Village has a couple of seats from the old Shea Stadium, the Mets’ former home, for nostalgic fans.
Game-day practicalities The 7 train is the way to go; take it to Mets-Willets Point in Flushing, Queens. The Long Island Rail Road also stops there on its way east from Penn Station.
Tickets Buy here.
MCU Park. Courtesy, Brooklyn Cyclones
Brooklyn Cyclones
Who they are After the Dodgers left Brooklyn for the West Coast, fans were bereft. Many became Mets supporters after that team debuted, but professional baseball didn’t return to the borough until the Mets brought a minor league affiliate to Coney Island in 2001. Since then the Cyclones have played right by the boardwalk, with an up-close view of amusement park rides from the stands. The assortment of offbeat promotional days, plus affordable tickets, make for a fun family trip to the ballpark—as does seeing a potential major leaguer at the start of their career (or the occasional star during an injury-rehab stint, if you luck out with your timing). The Cyclones play in the South Atlantic League, at Minor League Baseball’s High-A level.
What’s new The team always has turnover, thanks to the draft and new players arriving on the farm; this year it also has a new manager: former minor league player Gilbert Gómez.
Uniforms The Cyclones rotate through a lot of uniforms. Team colors are navy, red, gold and light blue, but expect variations for promotional days, which are frequent. The most beloved yearly celebration is Seinfeld Day, which sometimes features actors from the show and usually includes a good commemorative bobblehead to take home (after watching the Elaine Dance competition and other festivities).
Mascot Sandy the Seagull (as we said, the park is right by the water) is an approachable sort that makes its way through the stands during games.
Stadium Maimonides Park was built at the beginning of the 21st century, a compact spot with no bad seats. You can gaze out at the Thunderbolt roller coaster and the defunct Parachute Jump while enjoying the game. Fireworks take place after Friday night games. Food options are somewhat limited, but if our recommendation isn’t a Nathan’s hot dog (the original stand is just yards away from the stadium, and its dogs are sold inside), then why are we even writing this?
Game-day practicalities Take the D, F, N or Q to Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue and walk a few blocks. Or better yet arrive early, go to Luna Park and ride the Cyclone, then walk a few blocks and have a beer at Coney Island Brewery, and then go watch the Cyclones.
Tickets Buy here.
Staten Island FerryHawks. Photo: Kelsey Sucena
Staten Island FerryHawks
Who they are The FerryHawks (Hawks for short) took flight in 2022, taking over—and seriously rehabbing—the shoreline stadium that once hosted the Staten Island Yankees. The Hawks are an independent baseball team, playing in the Atlantic League (which is a partner of Major League Baseball), and the lineup is filled with a mix of aspiring young players and veterans, some of whom were in the majors before and are looking for a route back. The Hawks also had the distinction of rostering the first female professional player on a team affiliated with Major League Baseball, Kelsie Whitmore, who stars for the US national women’s team and pitched and played outfield for Staten Island in 2022–23.
What’s new The team for one—it’s still building up its profile and awareness in its third year, and the roster is more in flux than the other area teams. Nevertheless, count on some familiar names who may have played in the MLB, including recently signed World Series champ Pablo Sandoval (aka “Kung Fu Panda”), as well as a few local products. This season’s manager is Mark Minicozzi, a former minor leaguer who has managed multiple teams in the Atlantic League. And while it’s not exactly new, as the team has been doing it the past few seasons, fans can try out to sing the national anthem (better hurry: auditions are coming up soon).
Uniforms The team’s colors are light blue and copper; a fierce-looking hawk (see below) is part of the design.
Mascot What is a FerryHawk, you may ask. The portmanteau nods to the Staten Island Ferry (one of the best modes of transit in the City, not least because it free and offers a scenic view of the Statue of Liberty) and Staten Island’s Cooper’s hawk, a large bird with a substantial population in the borough. Frankie the FerryHawk is the team mascot.
Stadium Staten Island University Hospital Community Park is situated at 75 Richmond Terrace, on Staten Island’s North Shore. It has excellent views of New York harbor. The capacity is just over 7,000 people, small enough that there are no bad seats in the stadium. A lot of local spots provide food at the park, including The Kettle Black and Flour & Oak, and Staten Island craft breweries are also represented.
Game-day practicalities If you are coming from another borough, the best way to arrive is by ferry. Leave from Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan to get to the St. George Terminal, which is a short walk from the stadium. As well, a fast ferry connects the park to two locations on Manhattan’s west side.
Tickets Buy here.
