Jeff Wilpon doesn’t expect the unlikely Subway Series World Series in 2013.
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Count Jeff Wilpon among those who do not believe there will be a third installment of the Subway Series this year.
During a pregame ceremony honoring Mariano Rivera, the Mets’ chief operating officer told the future Hall of Famer, “I wish we could see you in the World Series but I don’t think it will happen.”
Rivera responded, “You never know.”
The Mets entered the second of four Subway Series games this week in fourth place in the NL East with a 19-29 record. The Yankees are 30-20 and in second place in the AL East.
Wilpon and FDNY Commissioner Salvatore Cassano presented Rivera with a mounted nozzle from a fire hose and a mounted fire call box. Wilpon also asked Rivera to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Rain games
Both Mets manager Terry Collins and Yankees manager Joe Girardi were concerned about the heavy rains delaying Tuesday night’s nationally televised game.
It rained steadily for three and a half hours in the afternoon, and reports suggested the inclement weather could have continued into the night.
“I don’t think either manager wants to have a [situation where the game is restarted] or you’re not able to finish the game,” Girardi said in his pregame press conference. “We’ll have to see what the weather’s like. I’ve heard different scenarios, whether we could start it later than seven o’clock and we’ll be fine. I’ve also heard there [are] thundershowers [in the forecast]. I guess it’s one of those things where you look up at the sky and see if it’s raining.”
Collins was adamant MLB would not start the game, only to postpone it later.
“Due to the nature of the game, if this is going to be played, they’re going to go longer than three [innings],” Collins said. “The weather report as of right now, it looks like we’re going to be sitting here for awhile. Hopefully, maybe by eight it [breaks] up where [the game can be played].
“I know one thing: They’re not going to start this game in either case. It’s too big a game for both teams — look at the guys we [have] going — to think ‘Hey, let’s get three or four innings in, maybe five.’ I don’t think that will be the case.”
The game’s start ended up being delayed an hour and 40 minutes.
Parnell unavailable
Bobby Parnell was not available to pitch last night’s game. The Mets closer threw 20 pitches in Monday night’s 2-1 win over the Yankees.
“He thought he might need a day,” Collins said, adding “it would be a matchup thing” when asked who would close.
Yankee injuries
Girardi said Mark Teixeira and Kevin Youkilis will play in Double-A Trenton today. Joba Chamberlain was activated from the DL. David Huff was designated for assignment in the corresponding roster move.
Follow Mets beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.
