Double Down

So now it's officially over, even though the outcome of this day had been certain for quite some time. The lights are still on here at Shea Stadium, roughly half an hour after LaTroy Hawkins threw the day's final pitch. Groundskeepers are watering down the infield with a hose. A few workers are in the stands picking up trash. Everyone is preparing to do it again.

Not two games, mind you, but one. This doubleheader was enough for everyone -- Mets and Yankees included. Indeed, Jerry Manuel was only three minutes into his postgame interview session when he jumped out of his chair and started toward the door. 

"I'm tired," Manuel said. "I'll see y'all tomorrow."

On the other side -- the winning side -- Joe Girardi was faced with roster decisions, given that Sidney Ponson pitched well enough to earn another start. 

But roster decisions are rarely fun at midnight.

"It's been kind of a long day," Girardi said. "I'm just going to go home and sleep, and we'll make some decisions from there." 

No free time, but no one's complaining. The Yankees and Mets both felt that something was missing from this day, because they both felt they could have played vastly better -- the Yankees in the afternoon, and the Mets at night.

But for the fans, this day couldn't be beat. Two games, one each in Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium. This was history. This will never happen again.