2000 World Series
The 2000 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2000 postseason, featuring an all-New York "Subway Series" matchup between the American League (AL) champion New York Yankees and the National League (NL) champion New York Mets, the first such intracity contest since 1956.[1] The defending World Series champions, the Yankees, defeated the Mets four games to one to secure their third consecutive title and 26th overall franchise championship.[1] The series, played from October 21 to 26 at Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium, was marked by intense rivalry and dramatic moments, including the longest game in World Series history in Game 1, which lasted 4 hours and 51 minutes and ended in 12 innings with a walk-off single by Yankees infielder Jose Vizcaino.[1] Key games included the Yankees' come-from-behind 6-5 victory in Game 2, highlighted by a controversial incident where Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens threw a shattered bat toward Mets catcher Mike Piazza, and the Mets' lone win in Game 3, a 4-2 decision highlighted by a three-run seventh inning, including Benny Agbayani's RBI double.[1] The Yankees clinched the series in Game 5 with a 4-2 win, driven by a crucial RBI single by Luis Sojo in the ninth inning.[1] Derek Jeter was named the series Most Valuable Player (MVP), batting .409 with a .864 slugging percentage[2] (9-for-22) including two home runs, two RBIs, two doubles, and one triple, while Yankees starter Andy Pettitte earned wins in Games 1 and 5.[3] For the Mets, Mike Piazza led with two home runs, but the team struggled against the Yankees' veteran pitching staff.[1] The Yankees' success extended their dynasty from the late 1990s, making them the first team since the 1972–1974 Oakland Athletics to win three straight World Series titles.[1]Background
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees entered the 2000 season aiming to capture a third consecutive World Series championship, building on their triumphs in 1998 and 1999 under manager Joe Torre, whose steady leadership had solidified the team's "dynasty" status in the late 1990s. The Yankees finished the regular season with an 87-74 record, securing first place in the American League East despite a late-season slump that saw them lose 15 of their final 18 games. They clinched the division on September 30 when the Boston Red Sox fell to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, allowing New York to edge out Boston by 2.5 games without needing a tiebreaker playoff.[4][5] The Yankees' roster featured a blend of veteran stars and emerging talents, anchored by shortstop Derek Jeter, who won the AL batting title with a .339 average while stealing 22 bases and scoring 119 runs. Outfielders Bernie Williams (.307 average, 30 home runs) and Paul O'Neill (.283 average, 18 home runs) provided consistent power and production, while first baseman Tino Martinez contributed 16 home runs and 91 RBIs. The pitching staff was led by right-handers Roger Clemens (13-8 record, 3.70 ERA), Andy Pettitte (19-9, 4.35 ERA), and Orlando Hernández (12-13, 4.51 ERA), with closer Mariano Rivera delivering 36 saves and a 2.85 ERA to lock down late innings. Acquired midseason, designated hitter David Justice added clutch hitting with a .305 average and 20 home runs.[4] In the postseason, the Yankees first faced the Oakland Athletics in the AL Division Series, rallying from a 1-0 deficit to win 3-2. Andy Pettitte earned the victory in Game 2 with seven strong innings, and Mariano Rivera pitched 3.1 scoreless frames to close out the decisive Game 5 at Yankee Stadium. Advancing to the AL Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners, New York dropped Game 1 but rebounded to claim the series 4-2, highlighted by timely hitting including Derek Jeter's two-run homer to cap a seven-run eighth inning in Game 2 for a 7-1 rout and David Justice's pivotal three-run shot in the seventh inning of Game 6, capping a comeback from a 4-3 deficit for a 9-7 win and the AL pennant. Jeter's timely hits proved instrumental in the Yankees' resilience.[6][7][8]New York Mets
The New York Mets entered the 2000 season with high expectations after reaching the National League Championship Series the previous year, finishing the regular season with a 94-68 record that placed them second in the NL East, one game behind the Atlanta Braves.[9][10] This mark secured the team's second consecutive wild card berth, clinched on September 27 with a 6-2 victory over the Braves at Shea Stadium. The Mets' offense was powered by catcher Mike Piazza, who slugged 38 home runs while batting .324, alongside contributions from infielders Edgardo Alfonzo (.295 average, 23 home runs), Robin Ventura (22 home runs), and Todd Zeile (21 home runs).[11] Under manager Bobby Valentine, who guided the team through a resilient campaign marked by late-season surges, the pitching staff featured left-hander Al Leiter (16-8, 3.20 ERA) and mid-rotation stability from Rick Reed and Glendon Rusch. The bullpen was anchored by closer Armando Benítez, who recorded 42 saves with a 2.61 ERA.[12] A key offseason addition bolstering the rotation was left-hander Mike Hampton, acquired from the Houston Astros on December 23, 1999, in a trade that sent outfielder Roger Cedeño, pitcher Octavio Dotel, and minor leaguer Kyle Kessel to Houston in exchange for Hampton and outfielder Derek Bell.[13] Hampton delivered 15 wins with a 3.14 ERA over 33 starts, providing crucial depth as the Mets navigated injuries and inconsistencies earlier in the year. Valentine's leadership emphasized resilience, fostering a clubhouse atmosphere that echoed the 1973 "Ya Gotta Believe" mantra originally coined by Tug McGraw, particularly after an inspiring U.S. Olympic baseball upset over Cuba in September revived the phrase among players and fans.[14] This team chemistry helped the Mets overcome a midseason slump, winning 14 of their final 18 games to lock in their playoff spot.[15] In the National League Division Series, the Mets lost Game 1 1-5 to the San Francisco Giants but defeated them 3-1 overall, with Al Leiter pitching effectively in the 5-4 10-inning Game 2 win and Bobby Jones delivering a complete-game 4-0 shutout in Game 4 to advance.[16] The momentum carried into the NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals, where New York prevailed 4-1, highlighted by Hampton's two victories, including a complete-game shutout in the decisive Game 5 (7-0).[17] Ventura provided a pivotal two-run single in Game 4 to break a tie and secure a 10-4 win, underscoring the team's clutch hitting in high-stakes moments.[18] This triumph marked the Mets' first National League pennant since 1986 and their second World Series appearance in franchise history, building on the heartbreak of their 1999 NLCS defeat to the Braves.[19] The shared-city rivalry with the Yankees, intensified by the prospect of an all-New York "Subway Series," added extra motivation as the Mets prepared for the Fall Classic.[20]Series Overview
Pre-Series Context
The 2000 World Series represented a historic revival of an all-New York City championship matchup, the first since 1956 when the Yankees defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers in seven games. This encounter between the American League champion New York Yankees and the National League champion New York Mets rekindled the "Subway Series" tradition, a term evoking the city's iconic subway system that links Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to Shea Stadium in Queens. The interleague play introduced in Major League Baseball in 1997 had paved the way for such cross-league postseason possibilities, though the World Series itself retained its longstanding AL versus NL structure.[1][21] The anticipation in New York City built a cultural phenomenon, with media outlets across the region fueling a frenzy of coverage that deepened divisions among fans loyal to either team. Promotional efforts, including cross-promotions and public appearances by players, amplified the excitement in the nation's largest media market. Local viewership reflected this intensity, as Game 5 achieved a 61% household rating in the New York area, underscoring the series' grip on the city's sports culture. The Yankees entered with an 87-74 regular-season record after winning the AL East and defeating the Seattle Mariners 4–2 in the ALCS, while the Mets posted a 94-68 mark as NL wild card entrants before ousting the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS.[22][23][11][8] Logistically, the best-of-seven series adhered to the 2-3-2 home-field format favoring the Yankees, with Games 1, 2, 6, and 7 at Yankee Stadium and Games 3, 4, and 5 at Shea Stadium. The umpiring crew, selected from the unified major-league staff following the 2000 merger of AL and NL umpires, was headed by crew chief Ed Montague, joined by Charlie Reliford, Jeff Kellogg, Tim Welke, Tim McClelland, and Jerry Crawford. Pre-series betting odds listed the Yankees as favorites at around 3-2, bolstered by their dynasty status after consecutive World Series titles in 1998 and 1999, though the Mets were regarded as credible underdogs fresh off their NLCS triumph.[24][25] Prominent storylines included the heated rivalry between Yankees starter Roger Clemens and Mets catcher Mike Piazza, ignited earlier in the 2000 regular season when Clemens struck Piazza with a pitch during an interleague game on July 8, heightening tensions for their postseason clashes. The matchup also held potential for elevated national viewership driven by New York's massive audience, though overall ratings would later prove modest outside the local market.[26][27]Overall Summary
The 2000 World Series featured an all-New York matchup between the American League champion New York Yankees and the National League champion New York Mets, contested from October 21 to 26, 2000. The Yankees prevailed 4-1, capturing their 26th franchise championship and achieving a rare three-peat after titles in 1998 and 1999.[2] This "Subway Series" was the first between the city's two major league teams since the Yankees defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956.[1] The series highlighted intense competition, with three one-run decisions underscoring the drama, alongside standout defensive efforts and reliable bullpen work that often decided outcomes. The Yankees' relievers, led by closer Mariano Rivera, proved particularly dominant in preserving leads during late innings. Total attendance reached 277,853 fans across the five games played at Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium.[2][28] Derek Jeter earned World Series MVP honors for the Yankees, hitting .409 (9-for-22) with two home runs, two RBI, two doubles, and a triple, while excelling defensively at shortstop.[29] His leadership and timely contributions anchored New York's offense in key moments.[30] On the mound, the Yankees' staff compiled a 2.68 ERA over 46 1/3 innings, outperforming the Mets' 3.47 mark over 44 innings, with pitchers from both teams combining for 88 strikeouts. The Yankees seized early momentum by winning Games 1 and 2 at home, then recovered from a Game 3 loss at Shea Stadium to take the final two contests there, clinching the series without requiring Games 6 or 7.[2][28]Composite Box Score
The 2000 World Series featured five games between the New York Yankees and New York Mets, with the Yankees winning 4–1. The following table summarizes key details for each game.[2]| Game | Date | Location | Starting Pitchers | Final Score (Yankees–Mets) | Winning Pitcher | Losing Pitcher | Save | Attendance | Time of Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oct 21 | Yankee Stadium | Andy Pettitte (NYY) vs. Al Leiter (NYM) | 4–3 (12 innings) | Mike Stanton (NYY) | Turk Wendell (NYM) | None | 55,913 | 4:51 |
| 2 | Oct 22 | Yankee Stadium | Roger Clemens (NYY) vs. Mike Hampton (NYM) | 6–5 | Roger Clemens (NYY) | Mike Hampton (NYM) | None | 56,059 | 3:30 |
| 3 | Oct 24 | Shea Stadium | Orlando Hernández (NYY) vs. Rick Reed (NYM) | 2–4 | John Franco (NYM) | Orlando Hernández (NYY) | Armando Benítez (NYM) | 55,299 | 3:39 |
| 4 | Oct 25 | Shea Stadium | Denny Neagle (NYY) vs. Bobby Jones (NYM) | 3–2 | Jeff Nelson (NYY) | Bobby Jones (NYM) | Mariano Rivera (NYY) | 55,290 | 3:20 |
| 5 | Oct 26 | Shea Stadium | Andy Pettitte (NYY) vs. Al Leiter (NYM) | 4–2 | Mike Stanton (NYY) | Al Leiter (NYM) | Mariano Rivera (NYY) | 55,292 | 3:32 |
| Team | Batting Average | Runs Scored | ERA | Home Runs (Key Leaders) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yankees | .262 | 19 | 2.68 | Derek Jeter (2), Scott Brosius (1) |
| Mets | .239 | 16 | 3.47 | Mike Piazza (2) |
- Pitchers: Roger Clemens, David Cone, Orlando Hernández, Denny Neagle, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera, Mike Stanton, Jeff Nelson
- Catchers: Jorge Posada, Chris Turner
- Infielders: Scott Brosius (active, played all games), Derek Jeter, Chuck Knoblauch, Tino Martinez, Luis Sojo, Jose Vizcaino
- Outfielders: Clay Bellinger, Glenallen Hill, David Justice, Paul O'Neill, Bernie Williams
- Designated Hitters/Utility: Jose Canseco (limited action), Ricky Ledée (inactive for series)