I have been resisting acknowledging the "riff" between A-Rod and Jeter all week, for the simple fact that I find the whole debacle to be nothing more than an unnecessary distraction from truly crucial pre-season matters, but after receiving several emails about the soap opera drama I suppose a reaction is unavoidable.

The story, for those of you who read no sports news except YankeesChick.com (breaking the news in 6 days or less!), is essentially a non-issue that has been blown up not just by the media but by A-Rod himself. Jeter and A-Rod have been pals for many years, but since A-Rod boldly stated in a 2001 interview that Jeter was not to be feared in the Yankees' lineup, their relationship has understandably gone from BFF-status to LJBNIP (lets-just-be-nice-in-public) -status. For some reason, people care about this. The media habitually harasses both The Jeet and the 'Rodster about their apparent tumultuous lovefest - especially since A-Rod took residence just a few feet to the left of Jeter's post - but the two of them have historically been mum on the issue and have always issued the obligatory "there's nothing to say" comments whenever asked about their friendship.

After several years of wisely remaining quiet on the story, A-Rod shocked the world by inexplicably deciding to delve into the issue with surprising detail with reporters out in Tampa last week. He explained that they used to have sleepovers several nights a week but now rarely even go to dinner together, and that even though they are no longer best friends they remain "friends" and support each other on the field. The interview proved nothing other than the fact that A-Rod apparently was in a deep hunger for attention.

For his part, Jeter reiterated to the media that there is no issue between himself and A-Rod and that he has nothing but good things to say about him personally and as an athlete. He confirmed that they had been closer in the past, but chocked up any cooling in the relationship to simple growing up.

The whole soap opera makes the Yankees Chick feel a little bit like vomiting the delicious homemade lasagna she just ate. If I distill what ESPN has been promoting as some sort of animosity-fueled breakdown on the infield down to something more in the vicinity of truth-ville, I come up with a very boring story: A-Rod and Jeter were good friends, A-Rod insulted him in a magazine but Jeter got over it and now they are still friendly on the field and wish nothing but the best for each other. Too bad that story is so mind-crushingly boring.

Thank god spring training is about to start, because I don't know how much more fake media-invented drama I can handle. Next up: I heard that Roger Clemens said to Jeter who said to his cousin who told his brother who told my friend who told me that he like totally isn't sure if he's gonna pitch. Like, oh. my. god!!!