SU is struck by some contrasts this morning as I survey the sports world:

• First: Mets vs. Yankees.  Citifield was rocking last night with 4 HBPs and Matt Harvey on the mound.  Close to 40,000 fans as the Mets hung on for a win although it was costly with Wright pulling his hamstring and Cuddyer getting hit by a pitch.  But the bigger picture is that the fans were jacked and there was a buzz in the stadium.  SU watched an inning of the Yankee game in Baltimore on a cold, rainy night.  There were about 12 people in the stands and while the game was close, CC Sabathia gave up 4 runs in 7 innings and that was considered a successful outing.    SU used to think Brian Cashman wouldn’t stand to field a roster like this but after the last 2 seasons, that ain’t the case.  This is his new type of team: fewer superstars; more balanced – mediocre at every position equals balance; and gradually cheaper in payroll.  Bottom line: Mets on the rise and Yankees in decline and quickly heading towards irrelevance.
• Next: Knicks vs. Pacers.  Frank Vogel of the Pacers has kept his team in the race for a playoff spot all year.  He lost his best player (George) to a freakish injury in the summer and some free agents skipped town.  But his team competed all year and if they can summon one more win, will grab the 8th seed.  Props to him.  The Knicks actually had a much better roster for most of the year but totally tanked and just packed it in (until the last couple of games when they inexplicably felt the need to win and likely blow their chances for the #1 draft pick).
• For those of you keeping track of ex-Yankee players, Shane Greene, who was dealt in the Didi Gregorius trade, is now 2-0 with the Tigers and is sporting an ERA of 0.00.  But hey, it’s easy to pick up young, cheap starting pitchers right?