The Yankees still were basking in the glow of winning the 1996 World Series when interleague play was introduced the following season.
A rookie World Series champion, Derek Jeter didn’t know what to expect when the Mets invaded Yankee Stadium for three games in June.
“The first time it was a huge deal,” Jeter said. “We had never done it.”
Now, 13 years later most of the buzz has vanished from the Subway Series.
Why? Who could ever top 2000, when Roger Clemens hit Mike Piazza in the head during the regular season and threw a shattered bat in his direction during the World Series, which the Yankees won in five games?
“A little bit,” Jeter said, asked if having met in the World Series robbed the regular season encounters of excitement.
Tonight at Yankee Stadium the Subway Series rivalry continues with the first of three games between the clubs.
Unlike the last time they played at Citi Field in late May, the Mets’ fortunes have risen. They enter The Bronx riding a seven-game winning streak.
Mets manager Jerry Manuel’s job was on the line with every pitch in May. His club was 20-22 and seven games out of first place. Met fans wanted to know what was bugging David Wright and was Jason Bay the latest expensive mistake made by the Wilpons.
However, the Mets took two of three from the Yankees and have won 18 of 24. At 38-28, they are one-half game back of the first-place Braves in the NL East. Wright is tied with Atlanta’s Troy Glaus for the NL lead in RBIs with 53.
And Mike Pelfrey, who draws Phil Hughes tomorrow, has developed into one of the elite NL pitchers with a 9-1 ledger.
Yet, the Yankees insist they haven’t noticed the Mets’ renaissance.
“I will start [today],” Jeter said, asked if he has been following the Mets.
Asked the same question, Mariano Rivera smiled and simply said, “You know
the answer, no.”
Joe Girardi was aware the Mets got hot away from home but wasn’t setting his tape machine to follow every pitch and at-bat.
“I know they have won [six] games in a row on the road, but I haven’t watched a lot of video on them,” said Girardi, whose club is tied for first with the Rays in the AL East despite losing two of three to the Phillies. “Obviously, they have players that are hot. We will worry about that [today], but I know they are playing well.”
As usual, the parties involved understand it’s a bigger deal in the seats and streets than it is to the participants.
Since the Mets are no longer a mess, Girardi was asked if the three games will have a different feel.
“I don’t know how much it will change because the competitive nature is still there because it’s New York versus New York,” Girardi said. “It seems to be an excitement the city really loves no matter where the two teams are at.”
george.king@nypost.com