There are a lot of fans, young and old, down here in Florida for the facilities for the Yankees and Mets spring training.

"We came here to get all the autographs," says one young fan at Yankees camp in Tampa.

There are plenty of older fans, too. One woman, who just wanted to be identified as Linda, saw the 1986 World Series in person.

"Game 7, I was there," she said from Mets camp in Port St. Lucie.

What You Need To Know

  • New Yorkers have traveled down to the Sunshine State to see their teams play in spring training

  • All fans were excited and optimistic

  • Both fan bases hope that their team could win a World Series title this season

Both fans of the Yankees and Mets are excited and optimistic.

“I think over the last few years a lot of us have been feeling better and better," said one Mets fan. 

Some of them are from Florida and a lot of them made the trip from New York. Partly to escape the February cold, but mostly to get a jump start on baseball season in n and see what’s ahead. 

In the smaller Florida ballparks, fans got closer to the players and coaches and owners.

“I feel like they have more time to see the fans and give autographs out and spend time with them," said a Yankee fan there with his children.

That builds the kind of connection that creates lifelong loyalty –something that Mets owner Steve Cohen loves to see.

“I’m really excited about this team," said Cohen. "Walking around yesterday, it's an incredible vibe here. I think this is the best vibe I’ve felt since I started this.” 

For the enthusiasm that helps all of us slide into baseball season, the New York fans in Florida are our New Yorkers of the week.