Editorial

Oh, for the days when New York thought big and built big and got things done - days like, well, today, when it feels good to say the city will soon witness the construction of two spanking new baseball stadiums, even if one of them will replace the House That Ruth Built.

Pleasurable indeed it is that the Yankees and Mets committed to building new homes for themselves so shortly after the Jets were sent packing for all the wrong reasons, despite having offered to invest more in the city than the two baseball teams combined. While two out of three ain't bad, three out of three would have been better.

The plans for a new Yankee Stadium, to be built on what's now parkland adjacent to the old Yankee Stadium, envision a facility that's both fan- and taxpayer-friendly. As in all the sports deals negotiated by Team Bloomberg, the Yankees will foot the bill for construction, a tab estimated at $800 million, while the state and city will kick in a total of $205 million to build parking and replace lost parkland with Little League, soccer and softball fields, a running track and an esplanade along the Harlem River.

The balance of who pays what puts the onus exactly where it belongs: on the Yanks. Moreover, the public's contribution will be repaid, and then some, according to City Hall's calculations. That's because the Yankees will take over the cost of maintaining the new stadium, relieving the city of a substantial and rising obligation.

According to Mayor Bloomberg, the city spent $30 million over the past five years to keep the present stadium in good repair and faced having to sink $350 million into it over the next 30 years. By laying out $135 million, the city will make those costs disappear and get spiffy recreation venues for the Bronx in the bargain.

The city's arrangement with the Mets is governed by similar arithmetic: The team makes a large private investment ($600 million for the Mets) and the taxpayers make an upfront payment to be freed from much larger long-term costs. Bloomberg and team owners George Steinbrenner and Fred Wilpon get a cheer for striking fair bargains for the fans and taxpayers.

And just for getting things done, too.