The Yankees did nothing. More telling, the Yankees said nothing. And that, ironically, speaks volumes about the differences between fan rivalries and supposed tensions within the fraternity of MLB, the same outfit that rarely speaks out against Barry Bonds, a cheating scumbag at worst and a P.R. fool at best.

After the game, which the Yankees won, manager Joe Torre said, "There's a lot of things that go on today that the old-time pitchers wouldn't tolerate. The game's changed a great deal." (Translation: "What do you want me to do, try to stop it?")

The media obviously tried to make this an issue, but Red Sux manager Terry Francona said, "Did [the Yankees] make a big deal out of it? Alex didn't see his, so are we mad at him?" (Translation: "My guys can do anything they want.")

Francona was referring to the home run Rodriguez hit in the same game, a bomb off Tim Wakefield that any idiot, no pun intended, could tell he lost track off, while being slow out of the box thinking he may have fouled it off.

Francona also manages Josh Beckett, who almost got into a fight in spring training with the Phillies' Ryan Howard, who posed on a flyout. Said Beckett about that incident, "I'm kind of about respecting the game. Even if it is a home run, I don't think it's the right thing to do. I'm not the type of guy to not say anything." I didn't see Beckett try to fight Manny, however.

Johnny Damon, who proved more than any other this offseason that the business side of baseball trumps all, said about Ramirez, "I guess we're a little upset." (Translation: "Not as much as anyone else. Besides, Manny's still my boy.")

The Boston Globe reported Thursday that Rodriguez served a "tense" warning with Ramirez before Wednesday's game to advise him on future actions — "Manny's one of my best friends. Don't read into that," said A-Rod — and he voiced objection to former Rangers teammate Doug Mirabelli, who questioned his Rodriguez's validity of appearing to not know where he'd launched Tuesday's home run.

Best friends? Changed game? Head in the sands? Who cares?

If they don't care, then I won't either. Otherwise, I'm a bigger clown than Manny.

Other Yankees Thoughts:

• Never in a million years could I have envisioned the Yankees taking the last two games at Fenway after being served by the Mets (I know, they lost two one-run games, but they were not exactly valiant efforts) and getting Mannied and Ortized (again) Monday night. The Bombers showed a lot of guts. The endings were tense, but they're supposed to be when going into such hostile territory. Very proud fan here.

• I wish I could be as optimistic about Randy Johnson as some Bombers Backers, but I'm wondering what exactly they're banking on. Remember, Kevin Brown posted a 2.39 ERA in 211 innings before coming to the Bronx, and he just fell to pieces. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me with eight of your last nine outings without a quality start (at least 6 inning pitched, no more than 3 earned runs) and I can't call you a $16 million ace. Or a decent No. 4. Not with a 5.89 ERA.

• Excellent job so far by Melky Cabrera, who's making the loss of Hideki Matsui easier to take. He is, without question, our best defensive outfielder (though Damon can still go get 'em). In a perfect world, Melky would play RF, Gary Sheffield would DH and Bernie Williams would sit. But what to do with LF? Sheff can't go there, so Melky has to either waste his rocket arm in left or play right, have Terrence Long patrol the vast Stadium LF and Sheffield DH. This is why Torre makes $6.5 million a year, or however much it costs to put up with George Steinbrenner's shit.

• David Ortiz is hitting .333 (10 for 33) against the Yankees and .255 (37 for 145) against everyone else. Bill Simmons might mention this the next time he cracks on A-Rod. Or not.