Steinbrenner can't lose.

You know how everybody thinks Steinbrenner is obsessed with winning WS titles? He probably is to some degree, but he's undoubtedly more concerned with making money. Winning and revenue go hand in hand, of course, but as long as the Yankees make the playoffs ... ka-ching!

You know how everybody thinks that Steinbrenner has no ceiling to his payroll spending? Of course he does. It's known as "profit." $200 million on player's payroll sounds like a lot until you simply account for Yankee revenues.

It's not all that amazing that Steinbrenner puts his "own money" back into his team, and it's not a gracious gesture to the loyal fans. It's just investing:

"Just reaching the World Series brings the ultimate financial return, which, of course, motivates the big spenders. Not that winning hurts. It must be driving Steinbrenner nuts that the Yankees have gone four years without winning a World Series.

He will reach into his deep pockets to protect a franchise that has won 26 World Series, a record no one threatens. But he's not gambling. Fact is, he doesn't have much choice.

He owns the most valuable franchise in all of sports. The only way to maintain it is with money, and that's not a risk. It's a purely business decision, like selling shoes."

Thank you, Sid Dorfman. That was not so difficult to understand, was it?

Maybe Dorfman can send the memo to Buster Olney and Mike Lupica.


The only point that I would add is that Steinbrenner loves this Evil Empire stuff. He loves fostering Yankee hatred. He loves being Goliath.

Don't believe me? The Stormtrooper theme from Star Wars plays every home game before the Yankees take the field; the bickering press releases directed towards Red Sox ownership, and others; walking around the field in San Diego before the '98 World Series wearing a turtleneck, smiling and waving to the surfers and potheads in the stands.

Why does he enjoy it so much? Because Yankee-Hating just means more money for the George.

You got something nasty to say about George? Just spell the name right: it's "brenner" with two "n's."

Red Sox fans want to bus down to the Stadium and buy $90 tickets and spend $45 on beer and hot dogs? It's a small gesture, but thanks for your support. It won't help all that much in the scheme of things, but maybe we can use that extra cash to shore up the bullpen.

Ka-ching!