Release #409-00

MAYOR GIULIANI LEADS NEW YORKERS IN SUBWAY SERIES PEP RALLY

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today lead New York baseball fans in a pep rally at Bryant Park to kick off the City's historic Subway Series, the first in 44 years. The Mayor hosted a joint rally for fans of the 2000 American League Champions, the New York Yankees and the fans of 2000 National League Champions, the New York Mets.

"Whether you root for the Yankees or the Mets, all New Yorkers are in for an incredible week," said Mayor Giuliani. "As fans take sides to rally for their favorite team, our City will be more divided than it has been in 44 years - but there will be no better place to be than right here in New York City. I want to congratulate both the New York Yankees and the New York Mets on their League Championships and thank them for making every New Yorker a winner."

Entertainment enjoyed by fans at the rally included Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium ticket give aways, performances by the Radio City Rockettes, the Fordham University and St. John's University marching bands, and a hot dog eating contest sponsored by Nathan's and Kahn's.

Joining the Mayor at the pep rally were New York Yankees President Randy Levine; Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman; former Yankee players Joe Pepitone, and Eddie Layton; New York Mets co-owner Fred Wilpon; former Met players Keith Hernandez, Bob Ojeda, and Ed Charles; Joan Hodges, wife of former Brooklyn Dodgers player Gil Hodges; WABC radio personalities Curtis Sliwa, Steve Marlsburg, and John Sterling; and WFAN radio personality Steve Summer.

Sponsors for today's Subway Series pep rally included Bazzini Nuts, Coca Cola Bottling Company of New York, Cracker Jacks/ Frito Lay, Dunkin' Donuts, Haagen Dazs/ Nestle Ice Cream Partners Company, Nathan's Hot Dogs, Hillshire Farm and Kahn's Hot Dogs, NY Pretzels, Paramount Party Supplies, Pepsi-Cola, Rolets, UTZ, Anheiser-Busch, Fleet Bank, MBNA, Fleer, Modell's Sporting Goods, Piano/Piano, the New York Mets, the New York Yankees, Major League Baseball, Sports Authority, and NYC & Company.