Order The Champagne

Anyone associated with the Yankees during the dynasty years of the late '90s -- whether a member of the team or a fan -- can tell you that there are four celebrations to any successful season.

Clinching the playoffs, preferably taking the division, was first. Prevailing in the Division Round would set off another party. Winning the pennant was next on the agenda in the Championship Series. Of course, all this had to be followed up by the final fiesta by winning a World Series.

While the 2009 version has yet to accomplish anything of serious significance thus far, before long there will be a nightly check of "The Magic Number."

The four-game sweep of Boston not only legitimizes everything that's taken place over the past couple of months but knocks the Red Sox so far back that Beantown has to start looking at Wild Card competition.

Sure there are close to fifty games remaining, and a good number of them will be the best rivalry match-up in sports. However, everything is clicking in the Bronx and the Red Sox roster has more holes in it than a fisherman's net in Cape Cod.

Theo Epstein was once being hailed as a genius for his personnel moves. John Smoltz would come in mid-season and add to the starting pitching depth, what could possibly go wrong? Five losses in eight starts with an ERA almost as high as the Green Monster, that's what.

Getting rid of Manny Ramirez and bringing in Jason Bay looked like a fine trade in mid-May, but after a two-month slump the move isn't looking all that terrific. Shortstop has been an issue all season with no relief in sight.

The rotation is fine at the top but the back end is wide open. Smoltz is now gone, Tim Wakefield is on the DL as is Daisuke Matsuzaka. The bullpen has been serviceable but Jonathan Papelbon has had his issues despite what his low ERA will have you believe.

The Fenway faithful have all but given-up on the Yanks and are slowly turning on Theo even if he brought in Victor Martinez.

The Yanks meanwhile have evolved into a team that never quits. In the series against Boston they showed that the magic is returning to the Bronx, albeit across the street. This club is starting to develop a similar personality to those that threw all those parties and parades.

Since A-Rod's return the Yanks have been fairly healthy, except for Chien-Ming Wang. And it's been Brian Cashman who's looked brilliant.

There are still two west-coast trips to deal with including three games in Anaheim in late September which will be followed by three at the stadium vs. the Red Sox.

However, by that time the race for the division will be all but over. After a season in which the only celebration was the closing of The Stadium -- more like a funeral -- it's time to get ready for party number one.