The Yankees beat the Astros 4-1, complete with sparkling outings by Wang, Coke, Albaladejo, even Bombko.

But what sort of a manager would I be once the season starts? It’s not so easy managing in New York, where the owners and fans are just a tiny bit demanding, so the first thing I’d do is find a quiet place in the clubhouse and ask for divine intervention.

And then I’d put together a lineup for Opening Day.

* Damon (LF)

* Jeter (SS)

* Teixeira (1B)

* Posada (C)

* Matsui (DH)

* Nady (RF))

* Cano (2B)

* Ransom (3B)

* Gardner (CF)

* (Starting pitcher: Sabathia)

Judging by how I watch games at home, I’d be an intense manager, second guessing every move I made and asking everybody on the bench for their opinion.

And given how I yell at the TV whenever something doesn’t go the Yankees’ way, I’m sure I’d storm onto the field after every bad call and have it out with the umpires.

In general, I would run a very tight ship with punishments doled out for insolent behavior.

For example, I would insist that players not only know how to bunt, but DO IT when I tell them to. If I give the signs for a steal, they need to get a good jump and make it happen. When I signal for a hit and run, the batter better not strike out. If bases are loaded, I never ever want to see anybody swing at the first pitch, look at a called third strike, hit into a double play, or pop the ball up. And I would defy a player to get caught in a rundown, forget how many outs there are or commit some other heinous act.

Consequences for the above would include:

None of these for a week.

None of this, not even if they begged.

None of this stuff (and no plain old spitting for the hell of it, either).

None of these before or after a game.

And no talking. (I bet Chatty Cathy Nick Swisher would have the hardest time with that.)

What would probably happen is that Jeter would gather the players together behind my back and they would all vent about how much they hated me and Cashman would call me into his office and fire me.

I think I’ll forget about managing and stick with the blogging. What about you? Do you think you could manage a team? And if so, what sort of manager would you be?

A warm and fuzzy type like him?

Or a demonstrative, slightly deranged guy like him?

The choice is up to you…..