The Kingsport Mets and Pulaski Yankees have launched the Big Apple-achian Rivalry, bringing their take on the Mets-Yankees Subway Series to the Rookie-level Appalachian League. The rivalry will begin next Friday, July 26 when Pulaski visits Kingsport for the first of six matchups between the Yankees and Mets during the 2019 season.
Hunter Wright Stadium in Kingsport and Motor Mile Field at Calfee Park in Pulaski are separated by just 123 miles. The Mets and Yankees have competed at the Rookie-advanced level in the Appalachian League since 2015, with Pulaski holding a 16-8 lead in the all-time head-to-head record between teams.
In addition to the on-field competition during the 2019 season, the Big Apple-achian Rivalry will also pit fanbases of the two teams against each other with competition to collect items for local non-profits. The Mets will collect donations July 26-28, specifically baby items, benefitting the non-profit Hope House. Similarly, the Yankees will collect donations for the Salvation Army when the Mets come to Pulaski August 15-17.
Both teams will hand out Big Apple-achian t-shirts, with the Kingsport giveaway presented by Chick-fil-A and Johnson City Eye Clinic scheduled for Saturday, July 27 (first 300 fans) and Pulaski’s on Saturday, August 17 (first 500 fans). Pulaski will also wear specialty jerseys inspired by the New York City skyline during the series at Calfee Park August 15-17, which will be auctioned off online following the conclusion of the series with proceeds benefiting the Friends of Calfee Park 501(c)3 non-profit.