It's the last place you'd expect to find Yankees

Here are six words you seldom wake up to.

The Yankees are in last place.

Before the Bronx-haters -- who could form a third party larger than Democrats or Republicans -- order a round of drinks, it should be noted that the record is inferior but not hopeless at 20-24. Same as last season, matter of fact, when they ironed out their kinks and their pinstripes and ended up the wild card. Also, Alex Rodriguez is due back tonight. Jorge Posada returns soon, too.

So last place won't last.

Still, there are several items you just never expect to find in the basement. A barbecue grill in use. A working chandelier. The Yankees.

They currently own a worse record than Kansas City. Worse than Oakland. Worse than Tampa Bay. We mention those three teams because their combined payrolls weigh barely three-fourths of the Yankees'.

Somehow, this malfunction of ...