:agree: but to answer the question:

When the Dodgers and Giants left for SF in the late 50's, (57 I believe), and the Mets came into existence in the National league, (1962 I believe), many people transferred their loyalty to them.

Many people living in that area also had a team to root for.

Many fans I know got their loyalties through family ties, (father, uncle, brother,etc).

The 50's were the golden years of baseball, as the Yankees were always playing the Dodgers and the Giants. I remember the 51 series, (Yankees and Giants), as it was Willie Mays rookie year. Doris Kearns Goodwin, (Pulitzer prize winner), wrote a book, "The Year the Dodgers Won The Pennant), if anyone is interested.

i it is tire that the Yankees spent more in the 20's ,30's' ,etc. they bought other teams best players and outspent for all the best prospects and for this reAson MLB instituted the major league draft. Prior to 1964 or 1965 there was no draft.if you had good scouting and deeper pockets you got the best teenagers. Another was the instutution of the rule 5 draft so that the Yankees could no longer stockpile the best minor leaguers and keep them from ever being able make it to the big leagues!

Once upon a time in New York your baseball heroes lived in your neighborhood. I wonder what that was like for kids and grown-ups.

Cbs owned Yankees prior to Steinbrenner and did not spend. Yankees languished from 1964 to mid 70"s until Steinbrenner took over and free agency came about. It is true the Yankees outspent everyone in the 20's,30's,40's,etc but to not to the extent that the free agency rules allowed them to. In the good old days they were able to put spend for all the best teenage talent available because they had deeper pockets. Hence, Mlb instituted Mlb player draft in mid 60's and the rule 5 draft

A few years back you'd see Ray Knight hanging around in TV. IIRC, his daughter had her wedding at Katie's.

That's pretty cool.
"Ray Knight was previously married to Nancy Lopez, a now retired LPGA golfer.[9] They had three daughters together: Ashley Knight who is the oldest, Erinn Knight who is the middle, and Torri Knight who is the youngest. He also briefly caddied for her. They lived in Albany, Georgia and also had a home at The Villages, Florida. He also has a son from a previous marriage, Brooks Knight. Knight is a member of the Golden Gloves boxing association."
Nancy lived in Medord Lakes NJ a long time ago. That's my neck of the woods.

My neighbor has a Yankee and a Mets hat, lately he's been wearing the Mets hat, the word bandwagon fan comes to mind.