The Yankees must have known something like this was coming. Otherwise, they wouldn't have picked up Aaron Boone (as crappy a deal as that was for them).
Even when the Yankees got Boone, commentators were saying that it was a sign that management doubted Henson would make the big club.
"One of the teams represents truth, justice, the American way, and underdogs everywhere. The other represents George Steinbrenner!" - U.S. News and World Reports columnist John Leo on the difference between the Mets and the Yankees.