The article reflects on New York City's unique sports culture, particularly how baseball season's significance was historically tied to the fate of the Knicks in the NBA playoffs. It recalls memorable moments, such as Dwight Gooden's 1996 no-hitter for the Yankees coinciding with the Knicks' playoff exit. The rivalry and dynamics of the Mets and Yankees during the late 90s are also highlighted, illustrating the shifts in team fortunes and fan engagement.
Back then, baseball season - even as New York became the biggest baseball town anywhere, even after both teams began to regularly attract 6 million fans a year to their doomed old stadiums - didn't really begin until the day after the Knicks were eliminated from the playoffs.
On the evening of Tuesday, May 14, 1996, Dwight Gooden lived out a sports movie in real time at Yankee Stadium, throwing a most improbable no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners.
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