The Staten Island Yankees will take on the Brooklyn Cyclones in the Ferry Series this week (photo by twi-ny/mdr)
Tuesday, September 6, MCU Park, Coney Island, $14-$16, 7:00
Wednesday, September 7, Richmond County Bank Ballpark, Staten Island, $14-$16, 7:05
If necessary: Thursday, September 8, Richmond County Bank Ballpark, Staten Island, $14-$16, 7:05
718-507-TIXX
www.brooklyncyclones.com
www.siyanks.com
While it looks like we won’t be getting a Subway World Series this year, we do have the Ferry Series to look forward to. The Brooklyn Cyclones and the Staten Island Yankees started the season against each other back in June, and now one of them will be going home following their best-of-three New York-Penn League single-A playoff series, which begins Tuesday night in Coney Island. Having won the McNamara Division, the 2010 last-place Yanks will be taking on Brooklyn’s best, who captured the wild card. Led by manager Tom Slater, outfielder Mason Williams (.349 batting average, 28 stolen bases), and closer Branden Pinder (1.16 ERA, 14 saves), the SI Yanks finished 45-28, a mere single game ahead of the Cyclones, behind manager Rich Donnelly, outfielder Travis Taijeron (9 homers, 44 RBIs, .299 average), starter Orlando Tovar (5-1, 3.09 ERA), and pitching coach Frank Viola. The series moves to the Ballpark at St. George on Wednesday night and Thursday night if necessary. The food battle is on as well, pitting longtime favorite Nathan’s, with its famous fries, fried and raw clams, and classic hot dogs, against upstart Gourmet Dog, home of the Warrior (a half-pound burger on a hero with French fries in the sandwich), the Popeye (Andouille sausage with spinach and tomatoes sautéed in olive oil, pepper, and garlic, smothered with melted mozzarella on a hero), and all-day breakfast; they even offer the Coney Island grilled dog, deepening the interborough battle.
Update: With Tuesday’s rainout, the Ferry Series begins Wednesday night in Brooklyn, then continues Thursday on Staten Island, with the rubber match, if necessary, on Friday night at Richmond County Bank Ballpark.