Yankees and Mets Under Presidents

April 17, 1956, Opening Day, Griffith Stadium in Washington:

President Dwight D. Eisenhower throws out the first ball,

as Yankee manager Casey Stengel and

Washington Senators owner Calvin Griffith look on.

The Yankees won, 10-4.

Today is Presidents Day. Or, as we should call it until we have a President again, the 3rd Monday in February.

The Curse of Ike? Since 1958, when Dwight D. Eisenhower was President, and the Yankees won the World Series:

Under Democratic Presidents, the Yankees have won 12 Pennants and 9 World Series.

Under Republican Presidents, the Yankees have won 5 Pennants and no World Series.

The Mets?

Under Republican Presidents, 5 postseason appearances (but none since 2006), 3 Pennants, 2 World Championships.

Under Democratic Presidents, 6 postseason appearances, 2 Pennants, no World Championships.

Make of this phenomenon what you want, but the facts are clear:

* If you want the Yankees to win, vote Democratic.

* If you want the Mets to win, vote Republican.

Actually, given economics, social policy, and foreign policy, the facts are clear:

* If you want Americans to be better off, vote Democratic.

* If you don't, vote Republican.