With their 7-3 win over their hated rivals on Tuesday night, the Red Sox swept the Yankees for the second time this season and are now 5-0 against the Bombers this season. Jason Bay hit a two-run homer (his seventh of the season) off Yankees’ starter Joba Chamberlain in the first inning to spark Boston’s victory.

It’s only May, but it has to be somewhat troubling to the Yankees that they are nothing more than a .500 club at this point after spending as much as they did to fix their pitching staff in the offseason. They currently have the second worst ERA in baseball at 5.86 and opponents are currently batting .277 off them to date.

Part of the Yankees’ issues, as they’re finding out, is that they now play in Coors Field Jr. There’s a jet stream in right center at the new Yankee Stadium and opponents are hitting bombs as if the Yankees were hosting the Home Run Derby on a nightly basis. Of course, not having Alex Rodriguez in the lineup has been an issue as well, although he is set to return soon so that all could change.

But what has to be most troubling to the Yankees is that they’re just 3-7 against AL East opponents so far this season. And it’s not like they were facing the same red-hot Boston team the past couple days that rattled off 11 straight wins during the month of April; the BoSox had just been abused by Tampa entering their two-game series with New York. Opponents have largely teed off on Josh Beckett and Jon Lester so far this season, yet each had solid outings against a Yankee offense that was supposed to once again be one of the best in baseball.

Again, it’s early and once A-Fraud gets back into the lineup the Yankees’ offensive production should pick up again. Plus, they have always been relatively slow starters before picking it up around the All-Star break, but Joe Girardi and the rest of the Yankees’ brass can’t feel great that they’re sitting at 13-13 with that payroll and are now 0-5 against the Red Sox.

When I was growing up, my friends and I used to walk down to an open field next to a church and play baseball with four rubber bases, one aluminum bat and a tennis ball.

On the way to the field, we used to have mock drafts where we pretended we were general managers picking players for our lineup. When we got to the field, we had to do our best to simulate what each player’s batting stance looked like and then hit like that player.

My favorite player growing up was Giants’ first baseman Will Clark, so after I drafted him I always had to bat lefty (which was a bit problematic since I was right handed and never mastered the art of switch hitting) and stick my right leg straight out in front of me in order to impersonate his stance. And just like “The Thrill,” I had to wear thick eye black and stick a wad of chewing tobacco (well, he had chewing tobacco, I had Big League Chew) in one of my cheeks.

Those are the memories that always make me laugh at myself as a kid. It’s also memories like those that also make me wonder what I would have done if I were a young baseball fan growing up in what should be known as “the steroid era.”

If I drafted Mark McGwire, I guess I would have had to put pillow cushions in each of my sleeves to replicate his big, steroid-enhanced arms. If I drafted Roger Clemens, I guess I would have had to mimic taking HGH before I took the mound and then subsequently pretend to give my girlfriend an injection just as the Rocket did to his wife. (And then lie about everything if I was questioned later about the allegations.)

And I guess if I had drafted Alex Rodriguez, I would have had to not only mimic the steroid use, but also tip one of my friends off about what pitch was coming so that he could pad his stats.

I feel bad for young baseball fans these days. Chances are that their favorite player is/was on the juice and therefore their sports heroes are cheating in order to gain a competitive edge. As it turns out, Will Clark was kind of a dick. But as far as we all know, he played the game the right way and never tried to gain an edge over his fellow players. And unlike A-Fraud, Clark would have rather cut off both his arms than tip an opponent to what pitch was coming.

In effort to help out the young fans across this fine nation, I’ve compiled a list of 10 MLB players (in no particular order) that people can root for as we drudge our way through the steroid era. As far as we know, none of these players have ever taken performance-enhancers, nor have they disrespected the game by playing solely for stats, money or anything else. These aren’t only good guys, but they’re also tremendous ball players that probably don’t get enough credit for staying clean in an unclean baseball fraternity.

(Side Note: I apologize for not mentioning any pitchers, but I was aiming for everyday players when I first decided to compile this list, so that’s what I went with.)

1. Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
If you’re looking for the best player in baseball, he’s currently parked at first base in St. Louis. Before the steroid reports surfaced, many believed that A-Fraud was the best player in the game, but there’s little debate now that it’s Pujols who holds that honor. Granted, some question if Pujols has ever used himself, but I’m willing to believe that he’s clean and all the amazing feats he has accomplished on the field to this point have all been steroid-free. Ever since he broke into the league in 2001, he’s been nothing shy of a marvel at the plate and is without a doubt the best pure hitter in baseball.

2. Derek Jeter, SS, New York Yankees
SI.com did a poll last year where over 495 major leaguers voted on the most overrated player in baseball and Jeter took home the (non) honor of ranking first. There’s no doubt his range at short isn’t what it used to be, but Jeter never takes a play off, rarely makes mistakes to cost his team victories and he’s still consistent (albeit unspectacular) at the plate. He also remains great in the clutch, which certainly isn’t easy to do considering he plays in the hardest media market in sports. He might get more attention and praise than his overall numbers suggest he deserves, but I’d rather watch 10 media features on Jeter than just one on A-Fraud.

3. Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Boston Red Sox
I get tired of the “Little Engine that Could” references when it comes to Pedroia. He was a stud at Arizona State and was drafted in second round of the 2004 MLB Draft, yet because he’s 5’9” and 180 pounds, people like to make him out to be the Rudy of baseball. He has always been a talented player, but his drive and devotion to the game is what made him an MVP. Simply put, Pedroia plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played. He thinks up at the plate, always knows the situation in the field and like Jeter, he never takes plays off. Some players have talent, but it goes to waste because of their lack of effort. Pedroia is both talented and a hard worker, and chances are he’s going to be great for a long time because he knows how to get the most out of his abilities.

4. Nick Markakis, RF, Baltimore Orioles
While his popularity is growing each year, Markakis is still a relatively unknown star in this league. He’s a rare five-tool player and because he plays in Baltimore, nobody knows it. He’s not a guy that’s going to hit 50 home runs a year or put up Pujols-like batting average numbers, but he will hit over .300, blast 20-plus dingers, score 100 runs and play a near flawless right field. He’s also incredibly durable, missing just one game in 2007 (that’s one game out of 162, mind you) and just six in 2008. Like all of the guys on this list, Markakis just loves playing the game.

5. Grady Sizemore, CF, Cleveland Indians
What’s not to like about Grady Sizemore? He can hit for power, steal bases and is quite possibly the best centerfielder in baseball. He also didn’t miss a single game in 2006 and 2007, and just five games in 2008, which is not only a testament to his durability, but also to his desire. He’ll probably never be a consistent .300 hitter because he isn’t selective enough at the plate, but he brings so much more to the ballpark on a nightly basis that it’s hard to dwell on his unspectacular average numbers. (Although he is a career .278 hitter, so it’s not like he’s hitting below the Mendoza line or anything.)

6. Aaron Rowand, CF, San Francisco Giants
The Giants grossly overpaid for Rowand as a free agent last year, but that shouldn’t take away from the recognition he deserves as one of the hardest working players in baseball. Rowand never complains, is the ultimate team leader and if I had kids that were interested in baseball, I’d make sure that they were studying how Rowand approaches the game. I’ve never seen a player sacrifice his body more than Rowand and if you’re a true baseball fan, you’ve got to appreciate how he attacks every play as if it were his last.

7. Orlando Hudson, 2B, Los Angeles Dodgers
Orlando Hudson? Seriously? I know, Hudson isn’t the most spectacular player to ever don a pair of baseball cleats, nor will he ever be. But if you watch this guy on a semi-regular basis, you’d see how easy it is to root for him. He doesn’t have Pujols’ talent, but Hudson will stop at nothing to give his team a chance to win, which includes sacrificing his body, his at bats or going all out on routine plays. He also does everything with a smile on his face and it’s rare to see him not sharing a laugh with an opponent or teammate at second base. I hope him hitting in front of Manny Ramirez this year gives his numbers a boost and therefore garners him the attention he deserves.

8. Ian Kinsler, 2B, Texas Rangers
Kinsler is another one of those throwback players like Jeter and Pedroia in that he busts his ass on every play and his intensity exceeds his talent (although that’s not to say that he doesn’t have any, because clearly he does). Kinsler doesn’t excel at one facet of the game, but he does everything well. He can hit for average, a fair amount of power and will steal bases at a decent clip, too. Granted, he does benefit from hitting in a stacked Rangers’ lineup, but that shouldn’t take away from how talented he is and I’m willing to bet if he were in a weaker offense, he’d still put up solid numbers.

9. Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida Marlins
Ramirez has taken some flack recently for not going all out on every play, but I’ll admit, I’m so intrigued by how good he is at such a young age that I can get past the fact that he’s not Charlie Hustle like the rest of the guys on this list. Ramirez has the talent to be one of the best players in the game and that alone makes him easy to pull for. Hopefully some of his coaches in Florida will get him to realize his full potential and he’ll be a star in this league for years to come.

10. Curtis Granderson, CF, Detroit Tigers
Granderson needs to be more consistent at the plate before he’ll be considered among the best players in baseball, but he does have five-tool talent and what makes him incredibly likable is how much he gives off the field. He established his Grand Kids Foundation in 2008 in order to help underprivileged children in Detroit and other areas get a good education and keep them out of gangs. He also set up a celebrity basketball game last year in which all proceeds went to school systems and inner city children in the Flint and Detroit, Michigan areas. I know a lot of athletes give to charities, but it’s nice to see that a player like Granderson not only donates his time and money, but also continues to be a tremendous role model at all times.

Feel free to shot out a couple players that you feel are easy to root for. I know there are many, many more, which gives fans a little hope for baseball’s future.

Schilling wants Major Leaugue Baseball to release all information on all the positive tests.

I’d be all for the 104 positives being named, and the game moving on if that is at all possible. In my opinion, if you don’t do that, then the other 600-700 players are going to be guilty by association, forever.

It’s not about good and bad people, because Mark McGwire and Jason Giambi are two of the kindest human beings ever. Andy Pettite is a fantastic person. That’s seemingly got nothing to do with anything. One hundred and four players made the wrong decision, and it appears that not only was it 104, but three of the greatest of our, or any, generation appear to be on top of this list.

And before anyone asks, I’ll make it clear: My name will not appear on any lists of positive tests. I’ve never tested positive for steroids or HGH, and I’ve never taken steroids or HGH in my life, ever. You don’t need to call the union, or an agent to verify that.

Baseball needs to address this. The story will never end, and we’re seeing more and more players whose Hall-of-Fame careers are tainted by the use of these drugs.

It’s stunning to see practically all of Jose Canseco’s allegtions turn out to be true. I heard him recently on Howard Stern, and he regrets exposing other players. He’s been reduced to boxing Danny Bonaduce, and he realizes that his vendetta against Major League Baseball has not made his life any better, despite being vindicated as the facts about steroid and HGH usage by the game’s stars have been exposed. Regardless of his motivations, Canseco has been much more honest than those he accused. Some of the most respected players in the game have been exposed as liars and cheaters, proving once again that this is a business, and money and fame can distort the ethics of many players, even those blessed with the most talent.

No one, of course, tells Derek Jeter what to do, and I don’t presume to try. But it is my considered opinion that Jeter can hide for only so long behind his stock answer, “I haven’t read the book yet.”

The book is out Tuesday. Time to start reading. And he doesn’t even have to read it to come out and say, simply: “Alex is my teammate. Alex is our guy. Everyone in this clubhouse stands behind him.”

And that has to include the captain. Because that’s what captains do.

And it’s the captain’s job to have his teammates’ backs, every one of them, even if it means taking a stand against a former manager and mentor. Torre isn’t a Yankee anymore, but Rodriguez is. The Yankees can win without Torre but not without A-Rod. For the good of his team, Captain Jeter had better choose which side of this argument he is on in a hurry.

And there would be no better time for him to announce his position than today, when Torre comes to town to kick off a media blitz designed to sell whatever odd copies of the book haven’t already been pre-ordered.

Today would be a fine day for Jeter to make himself available’ to the media, just to let everyone – and one guy in particular – know he’s got A-Rod’s back.

I agree to a point. As a leader, Jeter should stand up and defend his teammates and back them whenever they’re publicly criticized like A-Rod was in Torre’s book. But nobody knows what has really gone on in the Yankees’ clubhouse over the years and therefore nobody has the right to tell Jeter whom he should and shouldn’t defend.

Maybe A-Rod is the ultimate prick and he has already pissed Jeter off too many times to count. Maybe Jeter has already made an effort to back the guy and it’s come back to bit him in the ass. The point is, we don’t know what happens inside a clubhouse or what Jeter’s motivation is behind backing or not backing a teammate. And Jeter is a consummate pro so I wouldn’t question his motivates either way in a situation like this.

This book of yours, “The Yankee Years,” is that classy, Joe? Does it dignify what those 12 remarkable years were to baseball, to this city and, not incidentally, to your career? Was it necessary to air the fact that his teammates call Alex Rodriguez – an awfully easy target, by the way, Joe, and also a guy who won two MVPs while playing for you – “A-Fraud,” or to liken him to the crazed Jennifer Jason Leigh character in “Single White Female”?

Seriously, Joe. Did you even see “Single White Female”?

Why would you take shots at Brian Cashman? All he did during that lengthy post-2000 time, when you weren’t winning championships, was defend you exhaustively – to fans, to the press, to fellow Yankee executives, to various and sundry Steinbrenners, to your old front-office pal Randy Levine.

You never much cared to admit this, Joe, but Cashman was your boss. He could have sold you out. He didn’t.

Cashman deserved better, Joe. So did the Yankees. And, most important, so did you. You transformed yourself as a Yankee, earned yourself a certain Hall of Fame plaque.

There were lots of people who thought you were exiled wrongly in 2007, who winced when you hinted at a possible grudge with the Yankees, who figured, no, Joe is bigger than that. Joe is better than that.

Were we really that wrong, Joe? Really?

If you wanted to hurt the Yankees, Joe, understand this: Yesterday at Legends Field in Tampa, workers were manicuring the field, watering the lawn, getting ready for another spring training once the Super Bowl leaves town.

At the minor-league complex just down Dale Mabry Boulevard, kids were working out. Jorge Posada was said to have taken some swings. Derek Jeter will be here this week.

The Yankees have moved on, Joe. Isn’t it time you did, too?

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again – this doesn’t seem like Joe’s style.

I haven’t read the book, but already this doesn’t seem like a classy way to go about things. No matter how wronged Torre believes he was by the Yankees, you always take the high road. Most people in New York were going to remember Joe as the World Series-winning manager in pinstripes – and they still might. But this book definitely casts a shadow over Torre’s great career. Instead of remembering how great of a manager he was in the Bronx, people are going to point to when he called Alex Rodriguez, “A-Fraud” in his book. Is that how Joe wanted to be remembered?

In an explosive new book called “The Yankee Years,” Torre gets most personal in his attacks against Alex Rodriguez, who he says was called “A-Fraud” by his teammates after he developed a “Single White Female”-like obsession with team captain Derek Jeter and asked for a personal clubhouse assistant to run errands for him.

Torre, who left the Yankees and became manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 2007 season, says Cashman never told the brass that the manager wanted a two-year deal and instead remained silent during Torre’s tense final sitdown with the bosses.

The 477-page tell-all, which The Post purchased from a city bookstore last week, is written by co-author Tom Verducci, a longtime Sports Illustrated reporter.

Torre recounts his 12-year career in New York through interviews. It is being published by Doubleday.
Torre spent years trying to bring out a winning performance from A-Rod, the highest-paid player in baseball, which from all reported accounts included a lot of hand-holding and battling the insecurities and demons Rodriguez struggles with.

And while the Bombers would win four world championships under Torre’s watch by 2000, there were years of tension over management’s choice of players and the growing silence between him and Yankee brass.

Torre’s exit in the fall of 2007 came after a 20-minute meeting over his contract with Steinbrenner and other Yankee officials at the team’s Tampa, Fla., office.

At the time, the skipper was coming off a tough and highly scrutinized season. He was seeking a two-year contract with the possibility of a buyout.

Boy, how bad did the Yankee front office brass piss Torre off if he was compelled enough to write a 477-page tell-all? Joe doesn’t seem to be the type that would air secrets about his former club publicly, but this is a man that believes he wasn’t treated right in the end and obviously this is his retaliation.

And once again A-Rod gets blasted, although this has to be the worst. Having your former manager call out your love affair with Derek Jeter? Ouch.