You’ve got to be kidding me!

The New York Yankees, winners of 26 World Championships, including four in the last eight years, asked the commissioner’s office to award them a forfeit win over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays because the Rays couldn’t arrive in time for Monday’s day-night doubleheader in New York due to Hurricane Frances.

The Devil Rays arrived at Yankee Stadium one hour before the night game and, understandably, lost 7-4.

Were the Yankees that desperate for a win?

Yankee team president Randy Levine maintained that the Devil Rays could have left on Saturday and administrators in the commissioner’s office had suggested that the Devil Rays leave Friday or Saturday. But the Devil Rays, according to general manager Chuck LeMar, had decided to stay with their families throughout the storm and they expected to leave on Sunday or Monday morning at the latest.

However, several roads and airports were closed so they couldn’t fly out until 3 p.m. Monday.

Although I have been a Red Sox fan my entire life, I admit that I respect the Yankees. Not owner George Steinbrenner, but players like Derek Jeter and Jason Giambi certainly seem to carry themselves with class.

This may change my tolerance of the Yanks.

The Yankees have, by far, the highest payroll in baseball: $184,193,9504. The Red Sox are next at $127,298,500.

There is enough campaign garbage out there these days without the Yankees lobbying for a forfeit win. Thankfully, they dropped the forfeit request Tuesday after it was decided to have the teams play a doubleheader today. But the damage has already been done.

As if the Yankees needed a forfeit win against a Devil Rays team that brought a seven-game losing streak to the Bronx. That would be like Goliath asking for a knife to bring to his battle with David. But things are getting a little tense in the Big Apple.

The seemingly-secure 101/2- game lead they had on the Red Sox on Aug. 15 is now 21/2 entering Tuesday night’s games. The footsteps are getting louder and louder.

How can this be?

Isn’t it supposed to be the Red Sox collapsing with the Yankees beating down on them?

It’s not the Red Sox’s fault that one of the Yankees key acquisitions, righthander Kevin Brown, punched the wall after a frustrating loss last week and broke bones in his non-pitching hand that will sideline him at least three weeks.

Geez, Kevin, I can see a rookie or a young pitcher punching something after a tough loss. You can blame it on immaturity. But you’re 39. What’s your excuse?

The Yankee starting rotation was a mess to begin with.

The Yankees’ team ERA entering Tuesday night’s game against the Devil Rays was 4.67.

The Red Sox have been on a remarkable tear of late and have six games left with the Yankees, three at home and three on the road.

What the Red Sox have done is put themselves in position to control their own destiny. With a four-game lead in the wild card and just the 21/2 game deficit in the AL East, they would appear to be in good shape.

Still, we are Red Sox fans and we don’t take anything for granted.

We may be long-suffering but at least we don’t beg for forfeits.

Larry Mahoney can be reached at 990-8231, 1-800-310-8600 or by email at lmahoney@bangordailynews.net.