They're No. 1! (and we're No. 2)

What a beautiful lede by the AP today:

NEW YORK - The Yankees did finish first in something last year - spending.

The Empire spent $218.3 million to advance to the first round, winning only one more game there than the Phils who spent $101.8 million. The Mets spent $120.9 million to come in second in the NL East. The champs were second in the majors at $155.4 million.

I'm too tired from work to have the usual argument with Christine that the Sox are not as bad as the Empire. I understand we spend a lot. But it's still $60 million less than the Yankees. And we have to spend enough to compete, err, beat the team with a $200 million payroll, sort of like the old U.S.-Soviet Union arms race. {I disagree. The Red Sox overspend. No. 1 and No. 2 highest payrolls for World Series champs? The Red Sox. And the Red Sox.}

And in other news, the Sox finally got the All-Star pitcher who's been on the radar, and Abraham Nunez will be dancing with Bernie Brewer instead of the Phanatic.