LETS GO MET!
Thankfully, the time-worn story of moms across America tossing out their kids’ baseball cards didn’t apply to Jefferson Burdick. In 1947, the Syracuse, NY, man offered his collection of cards — later counted at 30,000 — to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Can’t get out to the ballpark? Check out the hundred or so rare and colorful cards now on display in the Met’s American Wing. They include the gold-standard of cards, the T206 Honus Wagner tobacco card from 1909 (one was auctioned for $2.35 million not long ago), as well as cards of Shoeless Joe Jackson, Ted Williams and Jackie Robinson.
“Burdick attempted to collect virtually every baseball card issued from 1880 to 1960,” says the Met’s Freyda Spira, assistant curator in the Department of Drawings and Prints. Her favorite? A 1951 card of Whitey Ford.
Adds Dave Jamieson, author of “Mint Condition,” a fine new book on cards, “What I love about the Burdick collection is that it represents a life’s work. This guy spent decades traveling the country amassing these cards. It took him years to order them and assemble them the way we see them at the Met today.” Burdick died in 1960, but what he left behind, Jamieson says, “is pretty remarkable.” Cards on view during museum hours; Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street; 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org.
— Billy Heller
FAN FAIR
It’s Subway Series weekend, so grab your mitt and head out to Madison Square Park to meet the Mets and thank the Yanks in person at this weekend’s “Delta Dugout” fan fest, an amazing array of events for fans of both teams.
Before catching the game tonight on the Jumbotron in the park, suit up like the pros — Joba Chamberlain and Mike Pelfrey put aside the rivalry to judge the “Fan Flair” contest. Fans can dress to support their team — and maybe win tickets to future games.
“I can’t wait to judge the outfits on the greatest fans in the world,” says Yankee Chamberlain. “I fully expect them to show me all their spirit.”
Tomorrow, take a break from the fair’s Wii batting cages for a concert by Yankee great and guitarist Bernie Williams. For the full ballpark experience, grab a “Dugout Dog” from Shake Shack.
If it’s tips you’re hoping for, how about throwing a few balls around with former Met Jesse Orosco — who got the last out for the Mets victory in the 1986 World Series. He’s playing catcher, this time, for the fastest-pitch contest on Sunday. The fan with the strongest arm will get called up to the big show and throw out a pitch at Citi Field.
Today through Sunday, starting at 10 a.m.; Madison Square Park, 23rd to 26th streets between Fifth and Madison avenues; for the complete schedule, visit delta.com/nybaseball.
— Calla Salinger
FEMME FANS
The New York Yankees love the ladies — and not just Kate Hudson or Cameron Diaz. If you’re at the stadium this weekend catching Subway Series action, stop by the brand-new (and first ever!) Women’s Team Store (646-977-8777), stocked with team gear for girls only. The merch — yoga pants, rhinestone logo T-shirts and tanks and sweatshirts — from brands like New Era, 5th & Ocean and Victoria’s Secret Pink, will score you a style home run. The store is located by Yankee Stadium’s section 114A, opens two hours before first pitch and closes one hour after the game ends, every home game.
— Raakhee Mirchandani
INTENTIONAL (BOARD)WALK
The big boys have a date in The Bronx — the Yankees meet the Mets tonight, tomorrow and Sunday — but that’s not the only game in town.
The minor league Brooklyn Cyclones, with ex-Met champ Wally Backman in his first year as manager, open their season at Coney Island’s MCU Park (right by the Boardwalk) tomorrow at 6 p.m. — against the Staten Island Yankees. And Backman, now living in Bay Ridge, insists he’s not nervous. “Why should I be nervous? It’s exciting, it’s a good time of year.”
Backman says of his club, “It’s a lot of these players’ first year. And what I get out of it is knowing these guys are going to be taught [baseball] the proper way. This is really the start to a kid’s career, and my ultimate goal is to try to get them to Citi Field and knowing I’m putting them on the right track, I take pride in that.”
Backman, known as a scrappy, in-your-face player, hasn’t yet taken a ride on the Coney Island Cyclone, but says, “I’m sure I will. I’m not afraid of anything.”
Tonight at 7 and Sunday afternoon at 4, the Cyclones visit the Staten Island Yankees at Richmond County Bank Ballpark, next to the ferry terminal; tickets are $12 to $16; siyanks.com. The Cyclone’s MCU Park is at Surf Avenue at West 17th Street (two blocks west of Nathan’s); tickets are $8 to $16; brooklyncyclones.com.
— Billy Heller