Thanks, Dbpaddler! Hey look its no secret that Steinbrenner buys the best talent his pockets can afford and thats nearly everyone. I can see him putting up some serious cash next season for Cliff Lee. And yeah that doesnt create the most level playing field.

One other sobering note, one of my very best friends who was a die-hard Yanks fan when we were kids lives in NYC (I am a transplant in DC) and now hates the Yanks. He told me that the swagger and arrogance of the team and the fans is disheartening. He pointed me to a recent clip of NYC blue allowing A-Rod to skate on some parking tickets. I of course dont see much of that day to day. Certainly not the Yankees of my youth (Mattingly/Winfield) but Yankees all the same!

Tony