The longstanding rivalry between New York and Los Angeles, which predates the Brooklyn Dodgers’ move west in 1958, has once again come to the forefront, with baseball being a central theme. The two largest cities in America are currently facing off in the World Series, with the Dodgers leading the Yankees 3-1 as they prepare for game 5 in New York. This rivalry has also extended online, where debates regarding stadiums, accessibility, and transportation have been ongoing for weeks.
Earlier this month, Los Angeles’s Metro, responsible for the city’s bus and train operations, inadvertently sparked controversy by tweeting a video explaining how to walk to Dodger Stadium. The stadium, situated on a challenging hill in the Echo Park neighborhood, is not connected to the city’s train lines. The suggested route took approximately 25 minutes and required pedestrians to navigate through busy streets and uneven sidewalks to reach the Chinatown A Line station. Some criticism was mitigated by Metro highlighting their Dodger Express service, a free shuttle bus from two locations in the city, although these buses often face traffic delays post-game despite having dedicated lanes before games.
There is a proposal for a gondola from L.A.’s Union Station to Dodger Stadium, which highlights the lack of direct rail transit—a notable challenge for Los Angeles, despite having developed 109 miles of rail over 34 years to connect areas like Hollywood and Downtown L.A. In contrast, Yankees fans enjoy the benefits of New York’s extensive transit system, with a short walk from the 161 St./Yankee Stadium station to the ballpark.
On Monday, Eric Spillman, a reporter with KTLA in Los Angeles, levied remarks toward New York, prompting a response not from the MTA but from NYC DOT, which brought artificial intelligence into the conversation.
Both cities undeniably have their advantages and shortcomings. However, it’s a relief to see Americans engaged in a debate not centered on politics. Meanwhile, fans are encouraged to attend Wednesday night’s game at Yankee Stadium. If the Yankees secure a victory, the series will return to Los Angeles, where fans might once again contemplate the prospect of a gondola.