Winning doesn’t come cheap, as Tony Massarotti of the BOSTON HERALD points out. After crunching the numbers, the Red Sox’s 2007 World Series championship cost the club around $300 million.

The breakdown:

• 2007 payroll: $165 million

• The rights to Daisuke Matsuzaka: $51 million

• Contribution to MLB’s revenue sharing: $80 million

• Luxury tax: $6 million

But there’s one sum John Henry & Red Sox Nation value most of all:

• Claiming two Series titles in the past four years, while the Yankees have none in this century: priceless.

No wonder Hank Steinbrenner’s so steamed at the Sox. But the Baby Boss did backtrack a little bit on the hatred, especially toward Henry:

“John is a great guy and my dad always loved him. I love him, (my brother) Hal loves him. He has done a tremendous job with the Red Sox.”

Hank must have been touched by John’s generous offer to join the Nation. (OK, probably not.) As for his rant about the RSN, the Yanks’ leader said he’s only telling it like it is:

“My point was simple: The Yankee brand is the biggest in the country and everybody knows that. There is no dispute. That’s not meant as a cut to the Red Sox. I am not just saying it, it’s the truth.”

Well, when you put it like that, it is an unkind cut. But that’s what makes the Yanks-Sawx rivalry so compelling - the honest resentment between both teams and both groups of fans. It’s fun to read about NYU grads who are also Red Sox fans getting upset that their commencement will be held at Yankee Stadium.

So, we plead with Hank - don’t hold back. It’s a long season.