AFTER 18 games, it has become evident the only team capable of derailing the Yankees this season is the Yankees. And darn if George Steinbrenner isn’t going to try.

Steinbrenner apologists defend his worst behavior by saying it is triggered by his unquenchable desire to win. But is this really winning behavior? To undermine his manager’s credibility. To further the Tampa-New York chasm in the organization. And to let a relatively straight-forward decision to demote Jose Contreras become a mushroom cloud around a 15-3 start.

This is more like Steinbrenner revealing the loser within. Why else would he tell Joe Torre to make the call on Contreras and 24 hours after Torre had made that decision, alter it? Torre reacted to the news Contreras was going to Tampa rather than Columbus (his call) by doing what he had avoided in eight years as Yankee manager – taking very public shots at Steinbrenner.

Torre did not react this angrily when Steinbrenner – in another loser within moment – took on the manager and the manager’s favorite player, Derek Jeter, in off-season statements. Torre simply defended himself, his coaches and his shortstop without any overt criticism of The Boss. Not this time.

Torre tried to mollify his words by saying, “I am angry but respectful.” However, there was only anger if you translate Torre’s reaction. He essentially said to Steinbrenner, “You don’t let me make a lot of organizational decisions. You asked me to make this one. I did. Now, you reversed my decision and made me look like a liar to Contreras.”

Why did Torre react this way, especially since he is smart enough to know Steinbrenner will retaliate at some point? It exemplifies the distrust and downright loathing there is behind closed doors in this organization. Most of that is Tampa (minor league complex) vs. New York (major leagues). Billy Connors, a VP and the organization’s pitching guru, seems to annoy folks in both locales by being way too close with Steinbrenner. It is why those who dislike him say Connors has kept his job despite not producing many pitchers over the last eight years.

When asked about it in spring training, Connors said, “We go out to hockey games and I know his family. But that has nothing to do with my job.”

A club official said early last week, when it was proposed that Contreras would benefit from a minor league stint, that it was being avoided because “Billy would just try to grab him and take credit.” It appears Connors has grabbed Contreras. Torre – and many others in the organization – do not feel pitchers are best served under Connors’ care. That is why Torre recommended Columbus to start with. It explains, in part, why he is so furious now.

Steinbrenner thinks infighting creates an uncomfortable dynamic that spurs people to perform best. Maybe, again the Yanks will be so talented that the tension doesn’t matter. The unsettling spring training has not prevented the 15-3 start. So, perhaps, this will mean nothing. Or perhaps Steinbrenner has found the way to beat these Yankees.