The Subway Series


		Subway Series has gone to their heads

Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Some Mets and Yankees fans are letting the World Series go to their heads.

At Astor Place Hairstylist, Inc., in Manhattan, the hot haircut involves shaving the words "Mets" or "Yankees" into your hair.

Why, some might ask?

"You just get caught up in the Series," said newly shorn Yankees fan Joe Di Benedetto, who has tickets for Game 4 Wednesday night at Shea Stadium.

Does he fear retribution?

"Nah. Mets and Yankees fans are pretty cordial to each other. Everyone knows it's just in good fun," said Di Benedetto, a disc jockey.

All that fun cost the 20-year-old from Yonkers $60 -- he had a hairdresser color his "Yankees" in blue, and added a red top hat.

Not to be outdone, Luis Norman, 25, had "Mets" shaved into the back of his head -- his cut cost a little less than Di Benedetto's. (It's easier to shave Mets than Yankees on someone's head).

"I did it because I believe in the Mets," said Norman, who works in a restaurant. "Some Yankees fans boo me, but I don't care."

Men might consider jumping on this bandwagon upon reading this: Norman says the haircut is a great way to meet women.

"Women think it's very cool, and they will talk to you," he said confidently. "I know because my friend has his hair cut like this, and he swears by it."

The haircuts definitely are conversation starters. Outside the shop, Di Benedetto was approached by several people, admiring his new do.

Paul Vezza, whose father has owned the shop since the 1970s, said six stylists are able to do these kinds of cuts. No stencils are used -- it's all done freehand.

"We've been doing stuff like this for years, we're kind of getting to be known for it," Vezza said.

Pictures adorn the walls of the large shop with heads shorn in unusual patterns, including one with a large question mark.

"People come in before large sporting events, like the Super Bowl, and we carve their team's name on their head," Vezza said.

This year is special because it's the first time the Mets and the Yankees have faced off in the World Series, Vezza added.

"I'd say about 30 people have been in since last week," Vezza said. "And 99 percent of them are men."

Along with the logo haircuts comes talk about which team will win. With the Yankees up 2-0 Tuesday afternoon, Di Benedetto was confident of another Yankees sweep.

Norman was buying none of that.

"The Mets will come back, you'll see," he said as he walked into the sunshine to show off his head.