The competition between New York and Los Angeles has been brewing for many years, but it reached a new peak when the Brooklyn Dodgers relocated westward in 1958. Now, the two largest cities in America are once again in competition, with baseball taking the spotlight. The Dodgers and Yankees are currently clashing in the World Series, with Game 5 taking place tonight in New York. The Dodgers have a 3-1 lead in the series, but the rivalry extends beyond the field—it’s also unfolding online, with discussions surrounding stadiums, public transport, and accessibility.
Earlier this month, the Metro of Los Angeles, which operates the city’s buses and trains, inadvertently ignited controversy by tweeting a video demonstrating how to reach Dodger Stadium on foot. The stadium, perched on a steep hill in the Echo Park area, is infamously hard to access, notably due to its lack of direct connection to the city’s rail network.
New Yorkers quickly ridiculed the 25-minute walk, which requires navigating narrow, uneven sidewalks and avoiding impatient motorists before finally arriving at the Chinatown A Line station. In response, Metro emphasized its **Dodger Express** service, a complimentary shuttle bus from two city spots. Although the shuttles are well-received, they frequently get caught in post-game traffic, even with dedicated lanes prior to the games.
Despite a **gondola project** being planned that could one day link Union Station to Dodger Stadium, the absence of direct rail access continues to be a point of frustration for Los Angeles. Over the past 34 years, the city has constructed 109 miles of rail, connecting areas such as Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Downtown L.A.—yet it still faces challenges with transit to its famed ballpark. In contrast, Yankees fans experience a significantly easier journey, with the 161 St./Yankee Stadium station in the Bronx located just a short distance from the stadium, served by the D and 4 subway lines.
The rivalry intensified on Monday when Eric Spillman, a reporter from L.A.’s KTLA, took a shot at New York on Twitter. Unsurprisingly, New York had to respond, and while the MTA remained silent, the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) had a sharp retort—incorporating AI for added effect.
Ultimately, both cities possess their own advantages and disadvantages, and it’s invigorating to witness Americans engaging in discussions beyond politics. As the World Series progresses, fans in New York can easily ride the subway to enjoy tonight’s game at Yankee Stadium. If the Yankees emerge victorious, the series will return to L.A., where fans can put on their sneakers for that lengthy walk to Dodger Stadium—hoping for the day when the gondola might finally become a reality.