With the recent commencement of the 2014 baseball season, it is hard not to make mention of this classic performance. Although there is little correlation between this Shea Stadium (namesake aside, of course) and the Wide World of Sports, bands have been subjecting their audiences to countless puns and baseball banter (we definitely asked for it) since our very first show.

No one, however, had taken it so far as to project footage of the now infamous and iconic '86 Mets behind them as they performed - until native NY new school rap pioneers Ratking took the stage on an extremely sweaty August night some nearly two years ago. What occurred was a a bizarre synergy of two things that appeared completely unrelated forming a unique and extremely abstract celebration of New York City's culture, past and present. And while the '86 Mets represent a treasure of the city's past, Ratking is very much of it's present.

These recordings definitely do not conjure up any images of peanuts and crackerjacks, but of a New New York City characterized by fast paced environmental changes, unpredictable rhythms, and a sense of impermanence. A far cry from the boom bap styles of Pete Rock and DJ Premier, yet somehow still steeped in its culture, these kids (yes, as they were practically teenagers at the time of this performance) serve as a constant reminder that while it is in a constant state of evolution, NYC will always remain on the cutting edge of hip-hop.

Like our beloved Amazin's, these young MCs will also be kicking off a new season of their own, when their fresh to death debut LP So It Goes drops next Tuesday - may the chances of it's success be exponentially greater than that of the Mets this year. -AR