Mike Lupica Obsesses About George Steinbrenner's Obsessions.

This from a man who thinks Sheffield misplayed Varitek's double, that ARod shouldn't bat second, that ARod is unhappy playing third base, and who insists that .230-hitting Doug Mintkayvitch was a great signing for Ne'er-Do-Wrong Omar Minaya.

So when Mike Lupica explains the inner-workings of George Steinbrenner's mind, take it with a grain of salt.


Let me 'splain the current Yankee situation to Mike Lupica:

The Yankees are off to the second-worst start in the history of the team. They're practically tied for last place with Tampa Bay.

Baltimore's lead over the Yankees in the AL East is almost double-digit. The Red Sox are not too far behind Baltimore, and they have Schilling and Wells waiting in the wings.

Kevin Brown managed a good outing against a dead Oakland offense. Better than losing, of course, but I'm not convinced about Brown's resurgence.

Giambi is nearing the Mendoza line and looking worse every day.

Bernie Williams has been benched and his career seems to be over for all practical purposes.

Six games is not enough to judge a career on, but Robinson Cano has managed to hit a mere .095 with one RBI groundout and shaky play at second base.

As Lupica graciously admits, "this doesn't mean the Yankees can't get up," but the hole they've dug is deep.


Now, given these circumstances ... do you really think Steinbrenner is worried about ... the Mets?:

"You don't get to own anything forever, certainly not baseball in New York. The old Mets found out. The new New York Yankees are finding out. Before long, George Steinbrenner won't be as obsessed with the Boston Red Sox as he will be with Willie Randolph's Mets."

Maybe so, but Steinbrenner will never be as obsessed with anything as Lupica is with Steinbrenner.


"Davey Johnson's Mets, in those years, were as big a sports attraction as any Yankee team had ever been. People forget that sometimes when they act as if the Yankees will own New York forever."

What can this possibly mean?

What "people" act as if the Yankees will own New York forever?

If I am one of these people, and I "act as if the Yankees will own New York forever," what type of behavior does this entail?

Wearing a Yankee cap on the subway? When I discuss baseball with Mets fans, am I arrogant and snooty? Do the Yankees get more back pages of the newspapers, more participation in talk radio shows, more free advertising by the dopey local TV Sports & Weather crew?

Of course Steinbrenner wants big gates and I'm sure he realizes his competition is not just the Mets. His competition is All The Stuff To Do in The City That Never Sleeps (and the greater Tri-State area).

Someday the Mets will probably outdraw the Yankees. I don't doubt that. But that day sure ain't today. Not with the Yankees drawing 47,973 in the rain against the A's and the Mets drawing diddly any time Pedro ain't pitching.

This Battle for New York is for sportswriters. They're looking for a storyline, a team with some buzz, free pigs-in-a-blanket in the press box. Steinbrenner has more important things to worry about than the Mets.