20 Reasons the Phillies-Mets Rivalry Is Still Alive and Well

Not all that long ago, match-ups between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets were games that topped season-ticket plans and made for must-watch television, but as time has worn on, some would argue that this long standing rivalry has lost some of its luster.

Time to wake up and smell the coffee, folks. This rivalry isn’t dead. It’s alive and better than ever.

We may not have seen many benches-clearing brawls in recent seasons, but that doesn’t mean that these two teams have decided to bury the hatchet. Looking forward to 2012, both teams are wielding their respective hatchets and are ready to use them. The Mets will hack at the legs of the Phillies, trying to climb back towards the top, and the Phillies will make sure they’re doing what it takes to stay there.

To say that this rivalry doesn’t exist any longer is a short-sighted statement. The real question is a bit more philosophical. What makes the first place Phillies and last place Mets such bitter foes? Where does the anger and competitive edge come from? For what reason, other than the uniforms they wear, do these players legitimately dislike one another?

The answers may be less obvious than you think.

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