Yankees change tune

The Yankees' eight game winning streak, against winning teams has taken them from the depths of despair to traditional euphoria. When NY wobbled to the break with a whimper, Andy Pettitte summed it up, "We stink,"after yesterdays blowout of the Red Sox, Andy crooned, "We expect to win." What a difference two weeks make.

The surge on the field has ignited a spark in the front office. The play it safe, cover-your-ass mentality of the Cashman regime has been replaced with the win now aggressiveness of yesteryear. (Somewhere George is smiling.) It appears the Steinbrenner competitive gene has made it to the mix. Veterans Marte and Nady plug gaping holes while a list of four hyped, suspected, prospects head to the small market. Before Yankees' fans could wipe the smile off their faces, there was more good news: A) Hawkins release and Igawa's imminent departure illustrate that the new regime isn't scared to acknowledge errors. B) Using the organization's financial clout to exploit an edge is back in vogue as Seattle's salary dump of Washburn could bolster the Bombers' rotation.

The Yankees' Brain Trust recently met in Tampa to plot pennant chase strategy. The actions since the conference are straight out of the George Steinbrenner playbook. The new Boss, same as the old boss?