Do you recall just a few years back when the nation was abuzz with a Red Sox bandwagon that believed their team was more “human,” more “real,” more “good natured,” “Friendlier,” more “likable,” or they had a better “story?” Do you recall those who’d say the Yanks were so “overpaid”, “poor sports”, “all about money,” and whatnot? Well the times have changed my friends. It is now the Red Sox with the two most overpaid players in sports: Daisuke Matsuzaka (who publically complains about the Red Sox training staff and blames THEM for his faults) and J.D. Drew (He’s a .248 hitter, slugging .452, and making $14mm). Now Red Sox owner John Henry makes questionable statements (typically via Twitter) instead of Hank Steinbrenner being the media’s favorite quote machine. Red Sox hero David Ortiz has been uncovered as a steroid user, and he’s only a shadow of his former self. Red Sox left fielder is pulling a Javy Vasquez-as-a-Yank routine. Starting off strong and then getting consistently worse. Meanwhile it’s the Yanks that host HOPE week to reach out to those in need. It’s Nick Swisher and AJ Burnett who loosen up a clubhouse like Kevin Millar and Johnny Damon used to do in Boston. Oh, and we have Damon doing that down here too now. The Red Sox no longer have the Pedro-Schilling-Lowe team they relied on, the Yanks are now the ones with the strong staff headed by renowned Jolly Man CC Sabathia, AJ “The Pie Man” Burnett, Joba “The Savior” Chamberlain, and Andy “Got Rings?” Pettitte. The Yanks are the team that has fun and wins, while Boston has lost its old clubhouse. Who do they have left to loosen up that clubhouse? Sure Victor Martinez is a classy guy, but Ortiz seems worn out. Youkilis and Lowell aren’t exactly leaders. Papelbon’s more into himself than K-Rod is. John Smoltz is old and ending his career on a sour note. Dustin Pedroia has lost the spring in his step. JD Drew makes about a million dollars a hit, and isn’t what I’d call “lively.” And Jason Varitek knows he won’t be back next year, since Martinez will take his spot behind the plate. The Red Sox have lost that personality that made them famous, and meanwhile the Yanks have developed the best clubhouse in baseball. Even A-Rod hasn’t had any big problems with the media since his return from rehab (not to mention he’s dating the ever foxy Kate Hudson…a big step up from Maddona). Can you think of a single Yankee with a bad attitude? Maybe Brian Bruney? But no, he’s just so set on success that it comes of a little harsh at times. And Yankee fans know that. Find a starter you don’t like? A guy in the bullpen? An infielder? An outfielder? Someone on the bench? The manager? Anyone? Nope. The Yanks are done with the days of Kenny Lofton and Carl Pavano. Gary Sheffield and Kevin Brown are gone forever. This is more than a ballclub: this is a team. The Yanks are better than Boston both on and off the field, and hopefully Yankee Universe shall see that as the series begins.