Damon to Yanks

[cooljayhu]

So there is a report on the Score (Canadian Sports Channell; I know prob not realiable) that Johnny Damon has signed a 4 year $52 mil with the Evil Empire. Thoughts?

[jxtuoleafs]

This is confirmed, ESPN has it on their homepage...big move for the Yanks, this is one huge piece of the puzzle they were missing (centre fielder....or sorry....center fielder)...Bernie just wasn't cutting it. Damon brings that offensive punch with some nice defence...big move for the evil empire.

[ruff edgz]

I would have never though Damon would have signed with them but money is thicker then hatred I guess... I think Boston won't like him for this!

|2uff

[theretrunofasm]

i lost all respect for Damon....

[Cerrano39]

theretrunofasm said:

i lost all respect for Damon....

Don't even start that.

How many athletes do you have respect for then? It is very few who stay in one place for their entire career.

Did you lose respect for Mike Myers? Alan Embree? Mark Bellhorn?

I doubt it.

While I think athletes make way too much money as it is, it is still their job. They have 10 years, give or take, the good ones that is, to get enough money to provide for the rest of their lives. This is Damon's last chance to get a big payday. The Yanks stepped up to the plate, the BoSox didn't. Their is no rivalry big enough to prevent a player from cashing in, and one who did, would be foolish. Damon owes nothing to Boston, or any other team he previously played for. Damon honored his contract and exceeded expectations. He played phenomal baseball while in Boston. But once that contract is over, nothing can hold him back from signing anywhere he wants. Boston or any rivalry holds nothing over a man trying to make his living.

Please.

On a baseball standpoint, there is no way you can spin this in a good light for the Red Sox. Sure, he's getting old, and has a weak arm, etc. But the Sox lost a good CF and leadoff guy. Sure, Jeremy Reed could come in and play CF, but who's going to lead off? Now that Lofton's gone, I don't know.

[/sarcasm but some truth]

The Yankees replace an aging player with a capable one who will set the table very very nicely for that line-up. Sure, perhaps they overpaid, but if anyone can handle a bloated contract, it is, the MFY.

[theretrunofasm]

i agree, but what were the BoSoxs gonna pay him, $20-$30 mill? is that enough to live on for the rest of your life? He just won a champioship with them, I say be loyal to the team that got you that ring, without them you wouldn't have it

[Cerrano39]

theretrunofasm said:

i agree, but what were the BoSoxs gonna pay him, $20-$30 mill? is that enough to live on for the rest of your life? He just won a champioship with them, I say be loyal to the team that got you that ring, without them you wouldn't have it

The Sox had reportedly offered him a bit less, something around 4/45 I think. Yes, 20-30 is more than enough to live for the rest of your life. So if 45. But if you have the chance to get 52, most people are going to take it. The team he won the championship is gone. Out of those 25 people, about 15 (I think, perhaps more) are now gone. And without Damon, this team would have no ring.

There is no loyalty in baseball. Whether it is right or wrong is another debate. After all, professional sports is a business and a livelihood. Once an athlete is out of his contract, as Damon was, they owe absolutely nothing to that city or team.

[nafsder2007]

Only the greatest players of all time remain loyal.


Just look at Barry Larkin. 1986-2004 he suited up in Cincinnati Red every day, and then he went on to become the greatest player of all time. Not a coincidence.

[Cerrano39]

Haha.

But Damon didn't start in Boston. He came up with KC, was then traded to Oakland, and then signed with Boston. 4 years, no matter how good or bad doesn't mean anything in terms of loyalty.

By the way, the players who are gone from the Championship team.

Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe, Bill Mueller, Doug Mirabelli, Mark Bellhorn, Orlando Cabrera, Pokey Reese, Mike Myers, Dave Roberts, Doug Mienwhatever, Curtis Leskanic, Alan Embree, Scott Williamson, Kevin Millar, Johnny Damon, Ramiro Mendoza, Dave McCarty (not really on the postseason roster, but he was important), and perhaps Gabe Kapler as well.

The only ones who remain, are Tek, Manny, Tiz, Trot, Youks, Schilling, Wake, Arroyo, Foulke, and Timlin. Of those, Manny, Trot, Youks, and Arroyo could all be finding new homes by spring time.

Amazing the turnover in only a year and a half.

[Colossus Burgers]

Youk is gonna stay. He's probably going to play first, and HOPEFULLY Arroyo gets traded. I hate watching him pitch.

[nafsder2007]

bstn4life said:

Youk is gonna stay. He's probably going to play first, and HOPEFULLY Arroyo gets traded. I hate watching him pitch.

I had looking at him. Especially when he had the blonde cornrows. I saw him down at spring training and it's like watching a skeleton. Very creepy.

But you know who isn't creepy? Barry Larkin. And because he wasn't creepy every day from 1986-2004, he went on to become the greatest player in baseball history.

[Colossus Burgers]

Behind every Sox player ever

[littlet826]

I am happy, and mad about this. I truthfully don't like Damon, but you can't deny he is a great player. I am glad because I know he will help the Yankees win games, and will be a constant threat in the leadoff spot, but I still won't like him just because I never have.

Also Bernie is my all-time favorite player so it sucks to see he won't be playing much, but from what I have heard he might be splitting time with Giambi at first.

[nafsder2007]

bstn4life said:

Behind every Sox player ever

I think you made a typo. Make sure your index fingers are on the j and f keys...it looks like you had them sitting somewhere else. Good thing I'm here to correct your typo. It should read:

Barry Larkin is the greatest ever.

[Colossus Burgers]

Before 2004, he wasn't anything special. No one cared about him, not even most Sox fans. Then his hair came.

He isn't a great player. He's an above average player who doesn't steal anymore, and tried bulking up (Willie Mays Hayes, anyone?). This year he started off great, but died off majorly.

[nafsder2007]

Actually, he was a very talented player in Kansas City. His stats kind of slumped after he left the Royals, but that's when he became a popular player, not only because of the hair, but because of the team. He could have worn the long hair with the Royals and nobody would have cared, but because he did it on a team full of "idiots," it gained him and the Sox instant notoriety. Baseball's a business, and even if Damon doesn't steal 40 bases and hit .310 like he used to, the Yankees will sell even more tickets with him in the line up. Think a Sox/Yankees ticket was already hard to get? Try getting one for his first game back in Boston. I bet those will be going for hundreds of dollars. He's overpaid form a talent standpoint, but he no longer has to rely on his talent to make money.

[Jami]

I'll laugh when he's hitting .230 in July with a couple of home runs and 20 RBI, while Yankee fans boo him and claim he's intentionally sabotaging the Yankees. That'll be fun.

[longhornfaithful]

This is a disgrace. Jonny Damon was one of my fav. players on the soxs (my Fav. team), and he quickly jumps to the Yankees. I hope he breaks his leg and doesnt play the season.

[Freak93]

Dude you can't be mad at him. He did a lot in Boston. He wants money, that is what a lot of things come down to. I have known for a long time that 'The Boss' liked Johnny Damon. I was just waiting until the team tried to get him.

[Jami]

"Johnny Damon looks like Jesus, throws like Mary, and betrays like Judas"

credit: e-mail read on ESPN Radio. Hilarious.