IF the YES Network wants to be taken seriously, it has to take its viewers more seriously.

A current, heavily promoted series on the Yanks includes an episode on the five “Greatest Teams” in Yankee history. The clubs chosen were the 1927, 1961, 1977, 1978 and 1998 editions.

In other words, after 1927, available footage and pandering to audiences with first-person recollections likely had more to do with the choices than the teams’ accomplishments.

Or should we believe that no Yankee team in the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, including those that won four and five consecutive World Series, qualified? And no team starring Joe DiMaggio made the cut while two that starred Reggie Jackson did.

The ’39 Yanks were among the greatest teams in all of sports history. DiMaggio, in center, hit .381. George Selkirk, in left, hit .306, rookie right fielder Charlie Keller hit .334. Those three struck out a total of 150 times. In ’78, Jackson, who hit .274, struck out 133 times by himself.

Bill Dickey, Hall-of-Fame catcher, batted .302 and third baseman Red Rolfe hit .329 for the ’39 Yanks. Pitcher Red Ruffing, another Hall of Famer, was 21-7 – and hit .307. Shoot, the ’39 Yanks had a pitcher who had 35 hits and 20 RBIs! Three Yanks – Frank Crosetti at short, Dickey and Selkirk – led the league in fielding at their positions.

The ’39 Yanks went 106-45, won the pennant by 17 games then swept the Reds.

But on YES, they missed the cut. Come on.

YES would have better served everyone’s credibility – but especially its own – had it simply called the series a look at some of the great Yankee teams.