The stars are shining brightly in New York as the Mets of Queens and the Yankees of the Bronx move closer to what many believe will be in the inevitable but here-to-fore elusive subway series.

It is amazing that both teams faced Bay area opposition from the west and dispatched them to an early vacation on the California beaches.

Several years ago, it was two western teams, San Francisco and Oakland playing for the World Series. Are the stars lining up for the east to rise? Will St. Louis fall to the "amazin’" Mets? Can the gritty Yankees overcome the Seattle Mariners? It would be a dream come true if it happens.

A Mets-Yankees series would be more than just another sporting event or another baseball game. It would revive the spirit of days past when the Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers played for the championship at Ebbets Field and Yankees Stadium. Although a new Yankee Stadium has been reconstructed, it is essentially the same. The images of Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, and Lou Gehrig are still very large in the mind of Old Yankees fans.

Shea Stadium is newer and although the amazing Mets have won two World Series, they do not have the history of generating stars like that of the Brooklyn Dodgers hall-of-famers.

Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, et.al., are great hall- of-famers from that era, including the New York Giants who featured Willie Mays, Bobby Thompson and company.

The core of the Mets may not have the name players of the past, but they must be taken seriously. And if they win the series, their names will become bigger than life. Mike Piazza, Robin Ventura, Mike Hampton and Edgardo Alfonzo, will all have a chance to lift the Mets from being the second team in New York.

The Mets challenge will not be an easy one to overcome. They will face an experienced team of World Series veterans. Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, David Cone, Tino Martinez, Roger Clemens, Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, and company have "been there and done that." Plus they have manager Joe Torre, one experienced, hard-nosed survivor.

Another reason a subway series will be good for New York is the millions of eyes from all over the world that will focus on New York.

But before you fast forward to the possible euphoria of a subway series, let’s not forget that St. Louis and Seattle have other plans.

Several ex-Yankees including lead-off hitters Rickey Henderson and Manager Lou Piniella are waiting in the wings, hoping to turn their dream into a nightmare.

Henderson can reek havoc on the base paths. He is considered by many as one the best lead-off hitters in the history of baseball. Even with the diminished skills associated with age, he is still dangerous.

Lou Piniella might be manager of the year. He lost Ken Griffey, Jr., a superstar to free-agency, and still managed his team to the league championship game.

The Yankees have had some rough times losing more games in the past month than their talent would indicate was possible. But, they have a date with destiny and should rise to the occasion.

This year the Mets trip to the series does not go through Atlanta, and given their record against the Braves, that’s probably a good thing. But, they cannot take the Cardinals lightly.

They won the championship without the most prolific home run hitter of the past decade, Mark McGwire. He has been disabled since early July with severe knee tendonitis.

However, Tony LaRussa, the manager is considered one of the smartest baseball minds in the business. But, Bobby Valentine has demonstrated that he is not lightweight and can manage against the best. With Bobby Cox and Dusty Baker on the sidelines, this is the time for Bobby Valentine to shine.

I hope I am not being premature in looking forward to seeing a Subway Series in New York.

So I wish the Mets and Yankees well in their individual league championship games. Then it will be World Series time and the teams will not merely be carrying the banners of Queens and the Bronx, but the one banner that matters — New York.