Curtis Granderson: "True New Yorkers Are Mets Fans"

Curtis Granderson was officially introduced a Met today, with a four-year, $60 million contract and a preternatural knack for winning over the fans. Within minutes of meeting the media, he tossed some fire on a Yankees-Mets rivalry that only exists on tabloid back pages.

"A lot of the people I've met in New York have always said that true New Yorkers are Mets fans," Granderson said. "So I'm excited to get a chance to see them all out there."

In doing so, Granderson secured said back pages for the Mets, unless/until the Yankees throw $80 million at Shin-Soo Choo. But he also raises an interesting epistemological question: What defines a true New Yorker? Is it the ability to proclaim yourself among the best fans in the world while ignoring the tens of thousands of empty seats any time a team falls out of playoff contention? Is it wearing a shirtsey to a business casual establishment? Is it shoving more and more hot dogs into an already distended gullet, splashing mustard and relish everywhere, as you profanely heckle your own right fielder in front of your young child? Is it being born and raised in Ohio but living in Murray Hill for two years?

No, a true New Yorker can be defined as someone who thinks spending big money on a 30-something center fielder is a good idea when massive holes exist in the pitching staff and infield. There, Yankees fans and Mets fans find common ground.

Photo by Todd Radom