Theo Epstein’s pop, Leslie Epstein, is an academic with an attitude against the Yankees. He’s rooted against them for years, and raised his kids to loath them too. Like many Yankee-haters—especially of an older generation—Mr. Epstein looks at the Bombers as the essence of corporate, Republican America:

“Is it true Steinbrenner summoned all of them down to Tampa?” Leslie wondered after hearing about the Boss’ meeting of the minions in Florida this week. “He must be asking them, ‘How come this little jerk is making you guys look like fools?’ They wanted both Scotts (Williamson and Sauerbeck), and we got them. We’re supposed to have the depleted farm system, right? What’s going on here?

“I don’t like to gloat over (Brian) Cashman getting reamed by his boss, because I know he’s a good guy, but if Darth Vader The Convicted Felon should be discomforted, well, it pleases me to no end. … The fact that my son is part of doing that to him is even better.”

You got to love it when the eggheads get personal.

Think the next two months will be exciting, if not histrionic?