first place yankees...

For great moments in scoreboard watching, this would have to qualify.

At 9:58 last night, the Yankees finished off the Baltimore Orioles, 2-1, behind Randy Johnson and Mariano Rivera. The fans at Yankee Stadium cheered the victory and got up to leave. Frank Sinatra's voice floated through the loudspeakers. The players shook hands on the field and headed for the clubhouse.

"Just as we were going up the tunnel," Yankees Manager Joe Torre said, "I heard the fans."

At 9:59, the scoreboard above right-center field flashed an update of the Boston Red Sox' game at Tampa Bay. The Devil Rays had taken a lead in the eighth inning - first by 5-4, the scoreboard reported, then by 6-4.

By 10, the fans had noticed and were roaring with approval. The relievers walking in from the center-field bullpen turned to see the scoreboard. So did a groundskeeper tending the grass near the mound. This was how first place sounded.