The moments age but can never fade. Every approaching Subway Series brings its past closer to view, a reminder of the outsized meaning attached to every interborough battle.

It is the rare regular-season showdown guaranteed to pack the house, the rare meeting to elevate moments that can live long after the players leave the field.

“As much as you try and tell yourself it’s just another game, you’re not naïve,” said Andy Phillips, a former infielder who appeared on both sides of the Subway Series. “You know the magnitude of the series.”

Here’s a look back at some of the players who’ve created some of the most memorable Subway Series moments, and what they’ve been doing since leaving New York:

Dae-Sung Koo

Why he mattered then: May 21, 2005, at Shea Stadium, the Mets’ 35-year-old South Korean reliever — in the midst of his lone season in the U.S. during a 23-year career — faced Hall of Famer Randy Johnson in his second, and ultimately final, major league at-bat. Fox analyst Tim McCarver described it as the “biggest give-up at-bat of the season.”

Stunningly, Koo smacked a deep shot off the southpaw to center for a double, sparking laughter in the dugout. Then, the real fun began. Wearing a jacket on the basepaths, Koo advanced on a sacrifice bunt, then sprinted around third when he noticed Jorge Posada far from the plate, and was ruled safe on a thrilling headfirst slide in an eventual 7-1 Mets win.

Where he is now: Koo continued pitching in the Australian Baseball League until 2015 then became the pitching coach for the Sydney Blue Sox. This past season, the 49-year-old served as the manager of an expansion team (Geelong-Korea) in the ABL and even pitched one inning, allowing one hit and one walk in a scoreless frame.

Tim Byrdak

Why he mattered then: In anticipation of the June 2012 series against the Yankees, Byrdak’s bullpen mate Frank Francisco said he “couldn’t wait to face those chickens.” So, before the series opener, Byrdak sent a clubhouse attendant to buy a chicken in Chinatown (for $8), then let “Little Jerry Seinfeld” loose in the Citi Field clubhouse. Francisco recorded the save in a 6-4 win that night. Two days later, Byrdak sent the rally chicken — as referenced by the sitcom star — to an animal sanctuary in upstate New York.

Where he is now: Byrdak’s 12-year major league career ended in 2013, and the 45-year-old now lives with his wife and four children in Lockport, Ill., where he also works as a pitching coach at Bo Jackson’s Elite Sports training facility. Byrdak has also worked as a high school pitching coach and earned a degree in exercise science from Robert Morris University, using an education fund provided by Major League Baseball. Little Jerry’s whereabouts are unknown.

Andy Phillips

Why he mattered then: Phillips never should have seen the field on May 20, 2006. The Mets led 4-0. Shea Stadium was rocking. Closer Billy Wagner was entering. But somehow, the Yankees sent the game to extra innings, and the utility infielder entered the game in the 10th inning via a double-switch, taking his first at-bat in the 11th against Jorge Julio. With two out and Miguel Cairo on third, Phillips — batting .174 at the time — lined a go-ahead single to center, giving the Yankees an incredible comeback win.

Where he is now: Phillips finished his playing career in Japan in 2010 with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. Afterward, the Alabama native returned to his alma mater and spent six years as an assistant coach with the Crimson Tide. The 42-year-old still lives in Tuscaloosa — where he owns a car wash — with his wife and 10-year-old daughter, serving as an assistant coach on the latter’s softball team. Phillips will also be coaching the 14-year-old West Alabama team in August’s Babe Ruth League World Series, held in his hometown of Demopolis, Ala., this year.

Brian Bruney

Why he mattered then: A few months before Bruney collected a 2009 World Series ring in his fourth, and final, season with the Yankees, the injured reliever made headlines during a rehab appearance. Taking an unprompted swipe at Francisco Rodriguez, Bruney said the Mets closer had a “tired act” and was “embarrassing.” Rodriguez responded by calling Bruney a “nobody” and telling him to “keep his mouth shut,” unless the Yankees right-hander were to say it to his face. The next day (June 14, 2009) at Yankee Stadium, the relievers had to be separated by teammates after Rodriguez shouted and pointed at Bruney during batting practice. Following a 15-0 Yankees win, Bruney sent a clubhouse attendant to apologize to Rodriguez on his behalf.

Where he is now: Last appearing on the mound in 2012 with the White Sox, Bruney returned to his hometown of Warrenton, Ore., where he lives with his wife and his two sons. In addition to briefly serving as a member of the Warrenton-Hammond School District Board of Directors and coaching his children, the 37-year-old owns a popular seafood restaurant a few blocks from the Pacific Ocean.

Kevin Russo

Why he mattered then: A Yankees fan born on Long Island, the 20th-round pick had just 54 plate appearances in 31 career major league games. His first career at-bat came on May 8, 2010. His first career hits came 13 days later, cementing his place in Subway Series lore. Entering the rivals’ first meeting of the year without an at-bat in nearly two weeks, Russo made his first career start — “I remember calling [Derek] Jeter off for a fly ball, and afterwards, and I thought, ‘This is crazy,’ ” Russo said — singled in the third inning then delivered the finest moment of his brief stay in The Bronx, breaking a scoreless tie with a two-run double in the seventh to give the Yankees a 2-1 win.

Where he is now: Russo played in the minors as recently as 2015 and now lives in Colorado, where he had moved from West Babylon with his family as a child. The 34-year-old works as a hitting/fielding director at a youth training facility and coaches travel teams.

Shawn Estes

Why he mattered then: The southpaw appeared in just 23 games with the Mets. One ensured he’ll always be remembered in Queens. Despite joining the Mets for the 2002 season — two years after Roger Clemens hit Mike Piazza in the head with a pitch and later threw a shattered bat at the catcher during Game 2 of the 2000 World Series — Estes’ spot in the rotation tasked him with revenge against the Yankees starter, who was forced to step into the batter’s box at a sold-out Shea Stadium. Speaking the day prior to the June 15 start about how he’d have to look his teammates in the eyes, Estes failed in his attempt to earn payback, throwing behind Clemens without hitting him. Estes, though, helped make up for it by striking out 11 over seven shutout innings, and delivering a two-run homer — the third of his career — off Clemens in the 8-0 win. Entering the game, Estes was 0-for-18.

Where he is now: Since retiring in 2010, Estes has lived in Scottsdale, Ariz., with his wife and four children. The 46-year-old spent several years as the color commentator for the Triple-A Reno Aces and currently co-hosts a San Francisco Giants postgame show, while also appearing as an analyst during games.

Ty Wigginton

Why he mattered then: It was July 4, 2004, George Steinbrenner’s 74th birthday. But it was Wigginton’s day to celebrate. With a pair of home runs — including the tie-breaking shot off Tom Gordon to open the bottom of the eighth — Wigginton gave the Mets a 6-5 win, which completed their first Subway Series sweep and first series win in seven years. Just one season earlier, the Yankees had won all six meetings. The utility infielder went 6-for-12 with six RBIs in the series, hitting three homers in the final two games.

Where he is now: The former All-Star, whose 12-year career concluded in 2013, settled with his wife and three children in North Carolina. Wigginton has spent four years as Lake Norman’s High School baseball coach, where he has built a local power outside of Charlotte and won multiple coach-of-the-year awards.

Matt Franco

Why he mattered then: The Subway Series was near its peak July 10, 1999. The matchup was still novel. Both teams were championship contenders. And Franco’s heroics capped perhaps the greatest game the rivalry has ever produced. The Yankees led by one in the bottom of the ninth. The bases were loaded, with two outs. The greatest closer of all-time was on the mound. Entering to pinch-hit for Melvin Mora, the left-handed hitting Franco fell behind 0-2 to Mariano Rivera, only to rip a two-run, walk-off single to right. Franco was mobbed on the bases, then received a Shea Stadium curtain call. The Yankees had won the previous 124 games when leading after eight innings.“It was definitely the biggest day of my career,” Franco said.

Where he is now: Franco finished his career with Japan’s Chiba Lotte Marines in 2006 then owned a business that operates ATMs. The soon-to-be 50-year-old lives in his native California with his wife and two sons and is enjoying life as a stay-at-home dad. “It can get a little boring sometimes when they’re at school, but I’ll take it. It’s better than the alternative.”