December 20, 2005

Johnny Damon to sign with Yanks. : That sound you hear is that of millions of Bostonian females wailing in unison.

read story | posted by BullpenPro to Baseball at 10:22 PM CDT (125 comments total)

Uh he wasn't that attractive from the neck up. But that's neither here nor there.

I'm glad the Red Sox didn't counter their 13m/yr offer.

posted by jerseygirl at 10:26 PM CDT on December 20

"Uh he wasn't that attractive from the neck up. But that's neither here nor there."

Don't tell that to the majority of Boston females... he's a hearthrob in Beantown, believe it or not.

With this move, the Yankees at worst got a time machine and made Bernie Williams five years younger. Similar tools in that they both (that is, Damon now, Bernie five years ago) have no arm but cover decent ground and hit well in the clutch. That Damon is a legitimate leadoff hitter makes this a very good short term deal, but the Yanks may find themselves feeling a sense of deja vu when they are dragging Damon around through the last year or two of the contract.

Of course, the biggest plus in George's mind is that, at least for a day or two, he squashes the Sox AND the Mets in the headlines.

posted by BullpenPro at 10:33 PM CDT on December 20

Watch how quick he gets a haircut and a shave.

posted by doggstarr at 10:34 PM CDT on December 20

actually, that sound you hear is millions of yankee fans wailing in unison.

posted by goddam at 10:37 PM CDT on December 20

That was actually my first thought, doggstar. Fuzzy Jesus Damon might be gone for good, replaced by Corporate Raider Damon!

posted by chicobangs at 10:38 PM CDT on December 20

As a sox fan, it hurts to see him go to the yankees. On the other hand, I don't think he was worth the money he was asking and definitely not for that long. Either way I can't wait to see the home crowd reaction when he returns to fenway.

posted by kire at 10:38 PM CDT on December 20

Thanks for giving me the pulse on my own city! I am from Boston.

posted by jerseygirl at 10:39 PM CDT on December 20

It just goes to show again that money is everything. I want to see how quick yankee fans embrace somebody they passionately booed for the last few years.
During this season I brought it to the attention of a few yankee fan friends of mine that Damon would be there centerfielder next year. All I got was the "no way", " I don't want him on my team", and other deregatory remarks. Those same friends called me today with "hey man, we got Johnny Damon and praised not only the move but Damon. The sad part of it is that living in New York and being in Yankee country it doesn't surprise me.

posted by doggstarr at 10:41 PM CDT on December 20

"Thanks for giving me the pulse on my own city! I am from Boston... posted by jerseygirl"

Ah. That would explain the clever user name. My bad.

I guess when I said "millions of Bostonian females" I should have said "millions of Bostonian females but not jerseygirl."

posted by BullpenPro at 10:43 PM CDT on December 20

After Boggs and Clemens, Yankee fans are used to turning the hate 'round to love. I bet Damon gets a big ovation Opening Day at the Stadium.

posted by BullpenPro at 10:45 PM CDT on December 20

Feel free to click on usernames at any time.

posted by jerseygirl at 10:45 PM CDT on December 20

he's a hearthrob in Beantown, believe it or not

Any more hidden nuggets of Boston insight?

I'm not responsible for paying the Red Sox bills, so it's hard to say where the team should draw the line fiscally. I look at it like they lost a player they can't immediately replace, again (Pedro last year).

posted by YukonGold at 10:47 PM CDT on December 20

Yeah but doggstarr when A-rod was signed here(boston) The whole city was going nuts , then when we lost him all of a sudden, "ah screw that bum" Yankee fans will love what he does. And now, I guess Johnny Damon, well "screw that bum"

posted by Lunger24 at 10:47 PM CDT on December 20

Feel free to make a meaningful contribution to the conversation at any time.

posted by BullpenPro at 10:48 PM CDT on December 20

I want to see how quick yankee fans embrace somebody they passionately booed for the last few years.

Not very soon at all. goddam's got the right of it.

My prediction: he'll whine about everything, including the haircut, and make himself real popular.

Oh well. Coulda been worse. Coulda been Manny.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 10:49 PM CDT on December 20

Johnny Damon is not enough for the Yanks. They are in too much trouble and Damon is not accustomed to what you get in NY. Besides, the Yanks will surely trade some so they can add an arm or two. The Big Unit will probably not be in pinstripes. Also, the future looks good for Red Sox Nation. I say good as being wrapped around one word: Clemens. However, as a song I know goes "who is he, 'cause I fell in love," who are the Yanks because of the Dodgers. They added Colletti, Grady Little, Furcal, Mueller, Nomar, and now Reggie Sanders. They are Red Sox West and Giants South. By the way, did ya'll see how my prediction about the Yanks came true? I told ya'll that A-Rod and Jeter would stay in the infield and the Yanks will get help from outside to replace Bernie.

posted by Joe88 at 11:02 PM CDT on December 20

The haircut is a major marketing and community outreach opportunity. They could have a charity noggin-shaving or something with proceeds (and the hair) to a cancer research facility or something.

Otherwise, this signing is not nearly as interesting as I thought it might have been. Can you say anti-climactic?

posted by mikelbyl at 11:05 PM CDT on December 20

I guess when I said "millions of Bostonian females" I should have said "millions of Bostonian females but not jerseygirl."

You didn't say, "millions of Bostonian females". You said, "the majority of Boston females".

You're welcome,

posted by lil_brown_bat at 11:07 PM CDT on December 20

By the way, did ya'll see how my prediction about the Yanks came true? I told ya'll that A-Rod and Jeter would stay in the infield and the Yanks will get help from outside to replace Bernie.

Um... what other cosmic morsels of knowledge can you impart to us, Oh Carnac?

I don't think the Yankees wanted Jeter in CF unless they had to. It was their backup plan, if it was true in the first place at all.

posted by jerseygirl at 11:08 PM CDT on December 20

The notion of Jeter or A-Rod in center was discarded the day after it was "suggested." When an overzealous writer looking for a story asked Torre if he would consider such a move, Torre said something along the lines of, "Yeah, I'd consider it. Maybe Mariano Rivera while I'm at it." Serious New York media (I know -- an oxymoron if ever there was one) dropped this story quick and went back to the Bubba Crosby "option" in the absence of a Damon-type CF. Of course, that's all moot now. The real story here is a sad one about the dismantling of the emotional core of the 2004 Sox -- first Pedro, now Damon, Millar, Mueller, et al. The clubhouse may be getting smarter, but it's getting less fun. Kind of a shame.

(Side note to lil_brown: just for the record, I said "millions of Bostonian females" when I introduced the thread. It was just a silly comment to open conversation on some big news, and is best left in the wake of more meaningful comments regarding the on-field consequences of the deal.)

posted by BullpenPro at 11:26 PM CDT on December 20

My god, people, can we go one baseball thread without someone objectifying an accomplished athlete because of his looks?

Heh.

Yanks fans will be suspicious of him until he delivers for them, just like so many big-ticket superstars who've come before him. Regardless of what he does with his luxurious, sexy hair, I suspect he'll be fine.

I do suspect he'll have an easier time being accepted into Yankee Nation than A-Rod has.

posted by chicobangs at 11:29 PM CDT on December 20

this is gonna complicate the roll call.

personally, my problem with him in the bronx isn't that he was a red sock (i think boggs and clemens were bigger stories in that regard.) i just don't think it's a good signing. yeah, 4 years is better than 5. but he's as bad as bernie with his arm. it doesn't matter if he can cover ground and get to the ball if he can't throw. i was also fine with jeter leading off. i'd rather have bubba in center, maybe pick up someone else to platoon with him, and hope that someone like kevin thompson can come up at some point during the season to get some work in (or maybe even give melky another shot). if i'm not mistaken, the free agent cf market will be better next year. all they needed was a place holder until 2007.

posted by goddam at 11:45 PM CDT on December 20

IMO the Yanks' chance to make a good move for a CF ended when Juan Pierre went to Chicago. He was the only available guy that (a) the Yanks wouldn't have to overpay for (Damon), (b) wouldn't single-handedly destroy an already combustible clubhouse (Milton), (c) might make it through the season (Griffey -- he could belong in any category actually); and (d) the Yanks actually had the resources to acquire without giving up Cano or Wang (Kotsay, Crisp, etc.). Even if Pierre continued his decline, he would still steal 50-some-odd bases and the Yanks could cut him loose at the end of 2007 when he becomes a free agent and go after the richer CF market to which goddam referred.

posted by BullpenPro at 11:57 PM CDT on December 20

Roy Hobbs was available.

posted by sonomajoe at 1:21 AM CDT on December 21

you know how the yankee are the always over pay for everybody they get

posted by freak at 1:30 AM CDT on December 21

It was just a silly comment to open conversation on some big news, and is best left in the wake of more meaningful comments

Right, but the suggestion that female fans are only here for what you perceive as beefcake might be found insulting by millions of Sportsfilter users.

This hurts for about two years. Damon has been a monstruous offensive force the last couple of seasons, but he's getting old and his defense fell way off this year. Maybe a one-time thing, maybe not. Coupled with his weak arm, he isn't going to be the center field star he once was, but he won't ever be Bernie Williams out there. Not even close. Damon is faster than Williams AND he takes good routes to balls. He may not be able to stop runners from tagging up, but he can cover ground.

I know I really can't complain about him leaving because his career's always had a bit of "David Cone: Mercenary" in it and because I was wishing him out of Boston last year because the whole sideshow got very old, but he is going to beat on the Sox for a while. Damon and Mike Myers are both great signings for the Yanks because they fill holes and take them away from the Sox.

On the plus side, no more Michelle Damon fashion reports on NESN (I have a feeling she's going to be almost as embarrasing as Anna Benson in the future) and I can always make fun of his stammer on that first Friday night game when I'm a little drunk and wistful about seeing Johnny shorn and stuck in pinstripes.

posted by yerfatma at 6:15 AM CDT on December 21

johnny damon was awsome in oceans 12

posted by steelcityguy at 7:08 AM CDT on December 21

As a Sox fan I think this sucks. It's very likely that whoever the Sox replace him with will be inferior. He may have been asking for too much money, but at the end of the day, I just don't care how much money John Henry spends. And I am too poor and too far away to be concerned with any raise in ticket prices to offset players' salaries. I think that in terms of winning games this move is overall good for the Yankees and bad for the Sox.

posted by arrmatey at 7:20 AM CDT on December 21

So the Yankees wanted Damon and offered him a money-years contract. Boston didn't want him as much or they would have matched the Yankees offer.

Somebody offered the big bucks and he, like other players, took it. So he has to cut his hair and shave his beard for George. I bet he'd shave a lot more if he had to for that Yankees contract.

posted by roberts at 7:31 AM CDT on December 21

As a Sox fan I think this sucks. It's very likely that whoever the Sox replace him with will be inferior.

Yeah, but will that be true in a year or two? I think yerfatma's right.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 7:55 AM CDT on December 21

Actually, I'm pretty hyped about the Red Sox and Yankees seemingly producing overpriced talent for one-another. Has anyone been overvalued more than Damon in the last year? Okay - fine, AJ Burnett, but still - that's a noodle for an arm in one of the biggest centre fields in the AL.

However, regardless of how overpaid he is and whether or not this contract becomes a Bernie-esque albatross two years from now, that's a big upgrade. The Yankees are a better team with him. He can hit the 1, moving Jeter to the 2 (where I think he is best) and that's going to pay huge dividends. I say good signing that can't help but taste terrible.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 8:05 AM CDT on December 21

It's all about the Benjamins. I heard him on the radio with the same lame ass excuse as others who have joined the Dark Side, that the Yankees seemed to want or appreciate him more. Yeah, I'd say the same thing if I was getting that kinda cash.

posted by ProSam at 8:23 AM CDT on December 21

as a sox fan that looks like the final nail in the coffin. that great team of the last 3 years isnow dead and buried.damon better then anyone should know that going from the sox to the yanks is like going from the u.s.a. to russia. what do the sox do now??

posted by patsdynasty at 8:24 AM CDT on December 21

Soap Opera. That is all this is. Does anybody really think George would have gone after Damon if he was anywhere else but Boston? I mean come on. I am a Red Sox fan and I like Johnny Damon, but I can see that his fielding has diminished over the last year. I say good for the Yankees. If you think that Damon is your answer at center field then good for you. I think that the Red Sox will be able to find someone to replace him at cf and probably even be able to pick up a pretty good hitter. Does anyone doubt that the Red Sox and Yankees are going to be in the playoffs again this year? If fact, I bet that they are both going to be fighting for the pennant in September. I think that it is a great move to keep that hatered for each other alive.

posted by grabofsky74 at 8:32 AM CDT on December 21

Signing Damon isn't the most impressive move of the winter, but it is a solid maneuver for the Yanks. In all seriousness, Bubba Crosby--a 29-year-old with a .221 career batting average--is not the kind of player the Yankees put in center field. The team had to find someone more substantial, and a four-year deal (rather than Scott Boras's overreaching seven-year request) is not outrageous.

Damon's stats are still solid; his batting average has increased three years in a row. I'm not sure I understand what makes him a great leadoff hitter, though, given that he's trending toward 15 stolen bases next season. Jeter has roughly equal speed and a better OBP, although he tends to hit better in the 2 slot. Still, I like the signing.

As a Sox fan I think this sucks.

And therein lies the extra money George paid.

posted by werty at 8:46 AM CDT on December 21

Has anyone been overvalued more than Damon in the last year?

Yes. Damon's been a very good offensive player with the Sox. Some of it is being on a good offensive team, but who else is scoring 100 runs and knocking in 80-90 on a regular basis from the leadoff spot?

It's all about the Benjamins.

Right, but is it worth more to get $10 million/year and be a big celebrity in a smallish media market or get $13 million per and be a minor celeb (at best) in the world's biggest market?

Does anybody really think George would have gone after Damon if he was anywhere else but Boston?

Yes. Next question.

posted by yerfatma at 9:09 AM CDT on December 21

Actually, that sound you hear is millions of Blue Jays fans cheering in unison. One of those two improving at the expense of the other means that the wild card is getting closer and closer...

posted by loquax at 9:57 AM CDT on December 21

As a Sox fan I think this sucks. It's very likely that whoever the Sox replace him with will be inferior.

inferior how? both him arms are in slings? Wait, no arms at all?

And I agree: Glad Michelle Damon's gone.

posted by jerseygirl at 9:59 AM CDT on December 21

What the Red Sox need, and hopefully will do, is just get a decent CF for one season as a stopgap until 2007. He might not be both speedy in the outfield and a good leadoff guy, but most likely, just be average and that will be fine.

posted by jerseygirl at 10:04 AM CDT on December 21

Does anybody really think George would have gone after Damon if he was anywhere else but Boston?

Well let's see. They need a speedy centerfielder to cover that huge territory. They need a speedy leadoff hitter in order to move Jeter to his best position in the order - second. They tried Sorriano, but his refusal to take a walk led to a low on-base percentage. Also, they tried Crosby, but he didn't have the average. The last decent leadoff man was Knoblauch, but he totally stunk in the field. He couldn't make a throw from second to first.

With Damon, they get a speedy centerfielder and a teriffic leadoff hitter. All-in-all, Does anybody really think George would have gone after Damon if he was anywhere else but Boston. You bet your sweet bippy.

posted by drevl at 10:06 AM CDT on December 21

Let me guess this is all the Yankees fault right. No wait it's Damon's right because he's greedy. None of the blame for this situation will sit on the shoulders of the Red sox front office. Really if they wanted him back why would they be unwilling to spend 3 mill more a year? Why make it known that you are going after other center fielders instead of actively going after your own home town hero. I could see if the Yankees gave him a enormous salary but they didn't out bid the red sox by much. As for all this trash talking from the fan faithful all of a sudden he's not a good player. No one would have talked like this if he stayed in Boston. Don't get me wrong I'm not happy with this deal. I would have much rather they signed someone to a 1 year deal. As for the yank fans cheering for someone the booed last season that goes both ways how are the sox fans going to boo their beloved idiot.

posted by jtrluva at 10:57 AM CDT on December 21

jtrluva, that's a lot of assumptions you just made.

I'd bet the Red Sox front office is ultimately going to get a lot of the blame for letting Damon go.

Which means that when Damon comes back to Fenway in May, he'll get some love mixed in with the hate.

posted by chicobangs at 11:06 AM CDT on December 21

Damon is a nice addition but I actually would have been Ok with Bubba. All I woud have needed was for him to bat 9th and play some good centerfield. Other teams make due with less than Bubba.

Jeter was a fine lead off hitter but he does work better from the 2 spot, so it works out great in the offensive department.

It all comes down to money which I could give a fuck about, it's George's cash not mine and I don't incure any expense because I refuse to pay the already ridiculous prices for yanks tickets.

I can't wait to see Johnny with no hair, thats gonna be funny.

posted by HATER 187 at 11:15 AM CDT on December 21

Well I haven't heard the anger being aimed at the front office in this post. All of it seems to be aimed at the Yankees and Damon. They have even trash talked his wife. According to the comments of this post he's washed up. This coming from fans that loved him last year. Loved him until yesterday when they thought he'd be back. None of these concerns have been flying around when they thought he would remain a sox. I haven't felt any love for him here. All of this and he hasn't even put on the pin stripes yet. He may get a bit of love in may but not much. A tiny bit.

posted by jtrluva at 11:20 AM CDT on December 21

hate to see bernie sitting out but of all the boston players (that i have no love for) i do like damon ! can't wait for spring

posted by FrankySP at 11:24 AM CDT on December 21

Anyone who believes Bubba Crosby would be a suitable every day center fielder for the Yankees is insane. He's a role player on the team, and that's just fine. Damon's a great stick to add to the top of the lineup, and he shouldn't miss a beat if the Yanks stay healthy on offense. As for his reception on opening day at the Stadium, it will be a huge, gigantic positive ovation for the guy. The Yankees hate the uniform he was wearing, not necessarily the player. Damon puts on pinstripes, he's automatically accepted. If he plays horribly, he'll be booed because he's playing horribly, not because he used to play for the Red Sox (even though that's what people will point to). It would have been the same if Pedro would have gone to the Yankees last season. The fans would have even accepted HIM!! As for the sense of giving Damon four years, it really doesn't matter. The Yankees are all about the year coming up, not two, three, four years away. As for his arm, it's weak, but his offense is better than center fielders who may be available that have better arms. Damon's year with the glove last season matched the year most Red Sox had with their gloves: It wasn't good. He'll be fine in NY. The Sox had better sign Manny now, or their offense looks very poor.

posted by dyams at 11:40 AM CDT on December 21

I like Damon as a player. He is a very solid lead off hitter and a fast centerfielder. I just think that you are right jtrluva why didn't the front office just fork over the extra 3 mil? On the other hand, why didn't Damon want to play for a little less in a city that beloved him and idolized him. Well, it is because he apparently only thought about the $. That is why us Red Sox fans are mad at him. I have alot more respect for someone that can give a little to get a little. I do understand that he is getting older and that he already has a WS ring and is probably thinking about his life after baseball, but is 3 mil that much more when you are already making 10 mil. I mean come on. I just get sick of over paid "players" that only want more money.

Just to make a comparison. Say you make 50K per year. 3% more and you could make 51.5K per year. Is an extra 1500 per year worth leaving where you are loved, wanted and idolized to go to a place where you are just another face in the crowd?

I think that it was an unwise decision for Damon to make. I do wish him well in NY and I hope that he is happy. I also hope to see the Red Sox scoring the winning run in the ALCS, against the Yankees, off of a sacrifice fly to centerfield. Go Red Sox!

posted by grabofsky74 at 11:42 AM CDT on December 21

Damon is a nice addition but I actually would have been Ok with Bubba. All I woud have needed was for him to bat 9th and play some good centerfield. Other teams make due with less than Bubba.

This is the Yankees we're talking about. Crosby was drafted 7 years ago and has managed to accumulate 163 ML at bats in that time. Sooner or later you have to figure out that a player is not your kind of player. His lifetime BA is 221. The last time the Yanks had an outfielder with such an anemic average was Tom Tresh at 219 in 1967. They finished 9th in a 10 team league. By the way, Tresh had decent power, which Crosby does not. One might reasonably argue that they have a promising centerfielder in the minors (which I don't know, one way or the other), but Bubba is definately not the answer.

posted by drevl at 11:44 AM CDT on December 21

Well I haven't heard the anger being aimed at the front office in this post.

Well, I'll chime in with it. (I tried posting a comment before you but the system went on the fritz)

The Boston front office has made an overabundance of questionable moves this offseason, most having what I see as a negative effect. Who's responsible for all of these? Larry Lucchino. He's pulling the strings here and he's using his continuing lack of public relation skills to submarine moves the team may be trying to make.

From Damon:
“No, (the Red Sox did not match the offer), I made contact with them. I talked to Tito (Francona) and I told him they need to really get going because if not, I'm going to be on another team... I actually thought it would be tomorrow or Thursday when we agreed in principle and we were actually able to hammer things out tonight. Unfortunately Boston had other plans. I'm not sure if they knew that I meant it but now I'm a Yankee and hopefully now they can go off and get one of the center fielders they've been courting for the past month or so.”

Once again, he lets every media outlet in our their talks with Seattle and Cleveland regarding Reed and Crisp. What message does that send when you make one offer to a veteran and don't call back to negotiate. For all the fucking seats Lucchino has added to Fenway Park, if he keeps this up he's gonna start seeing some of them empty. Be honest with your players and fans. If you don't want to sign Damon be honest, but publicly stating your contingency plans in the case Damon doesn't return sure looks transparent now. Either that or it backfired. He tried to use the media to show Damon that he needed them more than they needed him. Lucchino called his bluff and lost.

The fact that Lucchino didn't even know what happened is the most outrageous piece of it all.

'We have received no such notification," Lucchino said in an e-mail after having referred to ''ongoing negotiations" with Damon in an earlier e-mail. ''No further comment."

posted by YukonGold at 12:07 PM CDT on December 21

Does anybody really think George would have gone after Damon if he was anywhere else but Boston?

Damon's worth more to the Yankees than he would be to a team outside of the AL East. Improving your team while hurting your main division rival is a great play in free agency, when you can pull it off.

posted by rcade at 12:08 PM CDT on December 21

posted by yerfatma at 1:09 PM CDT on December 21

If I were a Sox fan I would be a bit nervous about the upcoming season. The front office, pitching staff, and clubhouse all look to be worse than last year. No doubt they will still have a potent offense, and there is still time for them to make moves but so far I am underwhelmed by their offseason thus far. Toronto clearly wants to crack the Yankee/Sox stranglehold on the East.

Being a Yankee fan I am not sure how I feel about the Damon signing. I love him as a player and he seems to genuinely love playing. But I worry about how much they got him for and how long his contract is. I would have rather they found a hot young guy than a 32 year old with no arm. Yankee pitching is questionable as well...you would hope that good health will be enough to make that unit better but...too many old, underacheivers to have much confidence.

As for Yankee fans embracing him, they will if he plays well. As always...your attitude towards a player changes the minute he puts on your teams colors.

posted by stofer71 at 1:18 PM CDT on December 21

all the hitter in the world...aint gonna help you when you have no pitching!(bigger pay-roll leading nowhere)
glad the YANKEES are going in this direction again for 2006..down,down,down, down.

thanks for a good off season moves TORONTO...now that NY and BOSTON are done, you guys are sure the favorites for 2006! PITCHING,PITCHING,PITCHING!

posted by no band waggon at 1:23 PM CDT on December 21

It's like seinfeld said, we're rooting for uniforms.

Players are more clemens than they are yaz these days, and damon would rather have more money than build a legacy in boston. Nothing wrong with that. He wasn't even with the sox that long. On the plus side, it's amusing to watch the posters at bronxbanter trying to rationalize the deal after spending the whole year saying "please no damon".

Good move? Probably next year. In 3, 4? Who knows. Johnny often seems more like 35 than 32. If could have been worse. It could have been manny.

The front office, pitching staff, and clubhouse all look to be worse than last year.

Pitching staff? Did you see last years pitching? Schilling should be healthy. Foulke couldn't be any worse. Beckett, if healthy, makes the staff better than last year by himself. Pitching is the one area where, again, if healthy, should be improved over last year.

posted by justgary at 1:41 PM CDT on December 21

"There's no way I can go play for the Yankees, but I know they are going to come after me hard. It's definitely not the most important thing to go out there for the top dollar, which the Yankees are going to offer me. It's not what I need."

That wasn't the full quote.

Damon went on to say, "Aw, hell -- who am I kidding? This time next year I'll be wearing pinstripes and snorting coke through hundred dollar bills off the backs of strippers. Money can't buy happiness, but it can rent it for the weekend."

posted by rcade at 1:54 PM CDT on December 21

Do you take the second part of the quotation literally? I suppose it's not out of the question.

posted by yerfatma at 2:01 PM CDT on December 21

"There's no way I can go play for the Yankees (unless george throws a lot of cash my way), but I know they are going to come after me hard(they should throw cash at me). It's definitely not the most important thing to go out there for the top dollar(I need fame and money, well I have fame I need cash), which the Yankees are going to offer me (if they are smart). It's not what I need.(I need a haircut but I will take loads of cash.)"

fixed

posted by sgann22 at 2:16 PM CDT on December 21

justgary is...

posted by YukonGold at 2:19 PM CDT on December 21

I'm touched yukon.

posted by justgary at 2:21 PM CDT on December 21

Just to make a comparison. Say you make 50K per year. 3% more and you could make 51.5K per year. Is an extra 1500 per year worth leaving where you are loved, wanted and idolized to go to a place where you are just another face in the crowd?

It's 30% more. Using your numbers, $50K per year becomes $65K, which would be difficult to turn for almost anyone.

posted by dusted at 2:23 PM CDT on December 21

Pitching staff? Did you see last years pitching?

Schilling is done....Beckett is an improvement and his upside is huge but I would be nervous about him too.

Foulke??? As a Yankee fan I think it would be great if he is their closer...LOL

Nobody mentioned it when the deal went down but the Sox also got G. Mota in the Beckett deal. Mota has shown some electric stuff, if he can stay healthy and fulfill his potential he may be the guy the Sox have been looking for to pitch the ninth.

posted by stofer71 at 2:30 PM CDT on December 21

Damon went on to say, "Aw, hell -- who am I kidding? This time next year I'll be wearing pinstripes and snorting coke through hundred dollar bills off the backs of strippers. Money can't buy happiness, but it can rent it for the weekend."

Wow, I take back every bad thing I ever said about Johnny D. In fact I think I have found a new favorite ball player.

posted by HATER 187 at 2:35 PM CDT on December 21

I've never had an agent negotiating my salary for me (and lord knows I could use one), but it seems to me that the best check on a player's motives is his agent. If a player says, "it's not important that I get top dollar," the best way to know if he's lying is checking his frontman. If it's Scott Boras, he's lying. No agent draws out contract negotiations longer or, I imagine, makes them more excruciating for his client than Boras. The only reason I could imagine hiring him would be to milk every possible cent out of my future employers.

(Obligatory hackneyed salary complaint:) I can't wrap my head around making $1 million, let alone $10 million, so I can't fathom what $13 mil does for me that $10 mil does not -- this is not an issue of ensuring financial security, these are strictly leisure-time dollars. I wish Damon would explain it to me, because apparently this kind of difference is worth rolling the dice on your professional happiness -- a known quantity in Boston, an explosive question mark in NY.

posted by BullpenPro at 2:41 PM CDT on December 21

It's 30% more.

But from the Red Sox perspective, how are they going to spend that additional 3 million/year to make their team better? Captain Public Relations just had a press conference for damage control. The transcript is a little hard to follow because they stopped entering the questions after a while

posted by YukonGold at 2:44 PM CDT on December 21

It's been said before, but it bears repeating:

The Beckett and Burnett acquisitions have been WAY, WAY overblown. Beckett has ONE season of double-digit wins, and has never pitched more than 180 innings in any season. Burnett has a slightly better record in that he has a handful of 200 inning & double-digit win seasons, but is a major injury risk and has never won more than 12 games. These are moves in which the real value remains to be seen -- it is awfully optimisitic on the part of Red Sox and Blue Jays fans that they have solved the pitching riddle. Don't get me wrong -- the Yanks would rather have either of these guys than Pavano or Wright -- but it's not like Boston picked up Tim Hudson and the Blue Jays got Roy Oswalt.

posted by BullpenPro at 2:52 PM CDT on December 21

Schilling is done

Schilling might be done. He looked alright towards the end of the year, but who knows.

Foulke??? As a Yankee fan I think it would be great if he is their closer...LOL

Because last year was so bad, right? Look, you said their pitching looked worse than last year. You're flat out wrong. They should be better by default. Schilling was done last year, foulke sucked. So if they're any better, and they could be no worse, and if beckett isn't a bust, they're pitching will be improved.

These are moves in which the real value remains to be seen -- it is awfully optimisitic on the part of Red Sox and Blue Jays fans that they have solved the pitching riddle.

Which you could say about almost any trade. If the yankees get the damon from the first half of last season, my hats off to them. If they get the damon that finished the season, they just got robbed. As far as solving the riddle, the yankees have a few pitching riddles themselves. I doubt damon will solve them.

posted by justgary at 3:12 PM CDT on December 21

You know, it would be really interesting to see the Red Sox now throw a short-term contract to... Bernie Williams. Bernie historically hits VERY well at Fenway, and it was the only road stadium in which he hit more than one HR last season. In his career he only has more road RBIs in Camden Yards. I'm not sure I would suggest this move to Boston brass, but in the absence of a great solution it might at least serve to give Yankee fans the same kind of wince that Sox fans are now expressing when imagining Johnny D. in pinstripes.

posted by BullpenPro at 3:39 PM CDT on December 21

it would be really interesting to see the Red Sox now throw a short-term contract to... Bernie Williams

and...we've come full circle. This is almost as good as Johnny Damon's status as a heartthrob in the greater boston female community.

posted by YukonGold at 3:53 PM CDT on December 21

Bernie Williams passed away three years ago. He just so gosh-darn nice the Grim Reaper can't bear to collect him. No thanks, unless by "short-term" you mean 10 day NBA contract.

I can't fathom what $13 mil does for me that $10 mil does not

Adjust your perspective. This kind of populist rhetoric always makes me smile. It's not like he's forcing the Yankees or Red Sox to extract this money from the center of the Earth. They have it. He wants as much of it as he can get. Why should he leave that money on the table? To go back to the "If your employer . . . " examples, if you had people bidding for your services knowing they had the cash to pay you, why would you stop asking for more until they quit conceding? It's all a question of who gets what piece of the profits.

posted by yerfatma at 4:05 PM CDT on December 21

Bernie wants to finish out his career with the Yanks, no doubt.
As for Damon, ol' Chewbacca will be a shot in the arm for the Yanks. He's a spark on offense, and everyone seems to like the guys dugout 'tude. Course he won't be Chewbacca anymore now :~).
His arm is what worries me, plus he's got a lot more room to cover in the Bronx, which means a lot more wear and tear on his legs. Good thing is now he's flanked by Sheffield and Matsui. Bubba will be the defensive late innning CF.
Pitching is still a question for the Yanks, but that lineup is looking even more awesome today.

posted by bigmickfan at 4:18 PM CDT on December 21

(Aside to Yukon) Hmm. So, by, in essence, commenting that the idea of Bernie to the Sox isn't worth comment, does that make it worthy of comment or not worthy of comment. Answer is easy, but question very hard.

To yerfatma, I'm not saying that when given the option of $10 mil in one hand and $13 mil in the other, one simply shrugs and says, "Whatever." Nor do I mean to suggest that the means of acquiring more money aren't readily out there. But when you are in that salary stratosphere, it must be awfully hard to make money a deciding factor over other seemingly more important things, particularly when there is no issue at that point of financial security -- you get it either way. Why milk for an extra $3, especially when the milking is such an excruciating (to hear most players tell it) experience? (And, I must add, I disagree that $13 mil is to $10 mil what $65K is to $50K -- I have to believe that there are diminishing lifestyle returns somewhere in between.)

I remember when the Sox won it all in 2004, Theo Epstein, to an international radio audience, suggested that Red Sox fans "go get drunk." I thought then that the Red Sox, from management on down, were an organization whose soul resided completely within its hometown. In the wake of that victory, the same appears to be unfortunately true -- Boston's management, players and fans seem to have become more adept at lashing out and making personal attacks than solving problems. In essence, that is likely a contributing factor to why individuals like Epstein, Damon, Manny et al have found a need to get out. Yes, Damon left for more money, but at that rate how much more quality of life? Heck, Theo left for NO money. There has to be something else there that is driving people who should be very happy on a rich, successful team away from this organization.

posted by BullpenPro at 4:41 PM CDT on December 21

Worthy of comment if your intention was to get a rise out of someone. We don't have to worry though, Bernie took care of it. I just heard on the radio that Bernie signed a 1-year deal with the Yankees.

Why milk for an extra $3

Because it's about ego and respect. Besides, Damon was just on WEEI in Boston (I only caught the end, if some of my details are wrong I apologize). What I gathered was that the Yankees made a 5-year offer that he negotiated back down to 4 and more money. Why? So he could go back to the Red Sox with less than 5 years something he probably thought they wouldn't agree to. Contrary to Lucchino's comments, he called the Red Sox personally, along with his agent, to inform them of the deal and they did nothing. The bluff theory was floated by 'EEI's hosts.

posted by YukonGold at 4:52 PM CDT on December 21

If that's right, Red Sox fans will be screaming to have Lou Gorman back in no time...

posted by BullpenPro at 4:57 PM CDT on December 21

There has to be something else there that is driving people who should be very happy on a rich, successful team away from this organization.

Yeah, success. Happens to most teams that win.

posted by yerfatma at 4:59 PM CDT on December 21

Johnny often seems more like 35 than 32. If could have been worse. It could have been manny.

posted by justgary at 1:41 PM CST on December 21

jg, you usually make rational comments - but your Yankee hatred has gotten the best of you this time.

Damon 2005:
BA 316 - 2nd highest in his 11 seasons
Hits 197 - 2nd highest in his 11 seasons
SB/CS ratio - 18 to 1, highest in his 11 seasons
Doubles 35 - 3rd highest in his 11 seasons
MVP placement - 13th - highest in his 11 seasons

I think you'd like to have seen him stay in Boston, but don't let me put words in your mouth.

posted by drevl at 5:48 PM CDT on December 21

You know, it would be really interesting to see the Red Sox now throw a short-term contract to... Bernie Williams.

One - Yankees just gave him a 1 year, 1m deal.

Two - He can barely run, he can't throw, so he'd be a DH... Yeah, let's get rid of the Ortiz guy? I can get you a cord of firewood for $300 to stand in CF and do nothing like Bernie Williams. At least you can put the wood in a stove after and heat your house. You can't do that with Bernie.

Three - Why in god's name is that interesting at all? Tragic? Stupid? Ill advised? Yes, yes, yes, all of those.

posted by jerseygirl at 6:00 PM CDT on December 21

I don't blame the front office too hard, to be honest. If the Yankees were offering 13m, I can't see them matching that and had they matched/surpassed that, I think I'd be irritated. Short-term stopgap for 2006 and then play ball with the FA CF market next offseason.

Plus, in my opinion, there's no way Damon should be earning more than Varitek's 10m/year.

posted by jerseygirl at 6:03 PM CDT on December 21

I don't know if I agree with that. I love Jason Varitek and he brings a lot to the Red Sox, but I don't know that he's more valuable, dollar-wise, to other teams. Especially one that thinks they still have an All-Star catcher.

posted by yerfatma at 6:24 PM CDT on December 21

"One - Yankees just gave him a 1 year, 1m deal."
One: Not at the time I posted the comment -- if I didn't hear about it, it didn't exist in my small and slow-witted world. I will try to keep up.

"Two - He can barely run, he can't throw, so he'd be a DH... Yeah, let's get rid of the Ortiz guy? I can get you a cord of firewood for $300 to stand in CF and do nothing like Bernie Williams. At least you can put the wood in a stove after and heat your house. You can't do that with Bernie."
Two: Bernie's actual physical deterioration could never catch up to his deterioration in the conversations of those discussing his deterioration, if you get what I mean. I have seen Bernie with my own eyes on a daily basis, and while it is sometimes not good it is often not bad, and would be better in a smaller venue like Fenway. He's not quite as bad as a stack of wood, and perhaps even better than Ken Griffey, Jr., who pulls a muscle off the bone every time he breaks into a full run. Also, the assumption that Bernie couldn't heat your house is something of a leap -- I bet you haven't even tried it.

"Three - Why in god's name is that interesting at all? Tragic? Stupid? Ill advised? Yes, yes, yes, all of those."
Three: Things that are tragic, stupid and ill advised are still interesting -- sometimes more interesting than good ideas. I stand by my comment.

To sum up, Boston could do worse than Bernie. Whoever they get at this point is likely to be a one-year stop-gap until next year's FA pool. Bernie is no great CF, but he would at least have provided a winning attitude, a reasonably productive bat, and a commitment-free contract. While some bitter Red Sox fans may disagree here, I propose he would have been better than what the Red Sox have now, which is nobody.

posted by BullpenPro at 8:03 PM CDT on December 21

The more today progresses, the more I blame the front-office even more. Their responsibility should be to put a winner on the field. Their "free pass" didn't include dismantling the team. They've downgraded at 3B, CF, SS*, and LF if they go through with this Manny ridiculousness. You know what that is? A fourth place team. Josh Beckett is gonna need another arm to produce the kind of pitching that will be necessary for Ortiz to carry the offense alone. Johnny Damon should have been a no-brainer, but they didn't want him and the more I think about it, it seems like this whole path has been calculated since September, if not April.

They've got a lot of work to do to pick up these pieces. If Manny goes they might as well raise a flag and let everyone know the better not show up.

* I realize Renteria was awful last year, but I was thinking about the player Renteria should have been/could be in Atlanta.

posted by YukonGold at 8:33 PM CDT on December 21

Johnny often seems more like 35 than 32. If could have been worse. It could have been manny.

posted by justgary

jg, you usually make rational comments - but your Yankee hatred has gotten the best of you this time.

posted by drevl

Well, I don't hate the yankees, and if I did it wouldn't drive my comments.

I stand by both those statements. Damon did look old at the end of the season. As for damon/manny, seriously, that's a no-brainer. Losing manny would be worse. Not sure how you disagree with that.

Boston's management, players and fans seem to have become more adept at lashing out and making personal attacks than solving problems. In essence, that is likely a contributing factor to why individuals like Epstein, Damon, Manny et al have found a need to get out.

Wow, just label the entire organization, huh? Players, fans, management, chasing everyone away. With nonsense like that you should write for the globe.

posted by justgary at 9:21 PM CDT on December 21

but he would at least have provided a winning attitude, a reasonably productive bat, and a commitment-free contract. While some bitter Red Sox fans may disagree here, I propose he would have been better than what the Red Sox have now, which is nobody.

Exactly what do you have against red sox fans bullpenpro? Did a red sox fan steal your lunch when you were a kid? Red sox fans are not only driving players away they're also bitter? You don't have to be a red sox fan, much less bitter, to know that would be an absolute idiotic move.

By the way, that 'winning attitude' would be worth, well, nothing. His 'attitude' didn't help the yankees lately.

posted by justgary at 9:27 PM CDT on December 21

OK - I am going to be completely shallow. I will miss the beard and the hair. He's really a good player but his looks is what hooked me. He would have looked much better in a Cubs uniform though.

On a serious note. I think the Red Sox will suffer for not signing him again and the Yankees will benefit. Who can fault the guy for going for more money. After all he is going to have to pay for more haircuts. Sorry that wasn't very serious.

posted by skydivemom at 9:33 PM CDT on December 21

To sum up, Boston could do worse than Bernie. Whoever they get at this point is likely to be a one-year stop-gap until next year's FA pool. Bernie is no great CF, but he would at least have provided a winning attitude, a reasonably productive bat, and a commitment-free contract. While some bitter Red Sox fans may disagree here, I propose he would have been better than what the Red Sox have now, which is nobody.

That doesn't even make sense. "Yeah, he isn't great, but he smiles a lot and is a 1-tool player, so Boston should get him because they have no one"

My dog has a good attitude and can at least run. Let's sign him!

And take bitter as you like. I'd rather be "bitter" than clueless.

posted by jerseygirl at 10:12 PM CDT on December 21

I apologize if anyone took "bitter Red Sox fans" as a criticism of the fandom. It was not. I would think that any fan base that lost a key cog to their team -- particularly one as memorable as this era of the Red Sox -- would be bitter about it, especially if it appeared to be a failing by the front office and not part of the strategy. The comments above seem to bear that feeling out. It speaks to the pride and interest the fan base takes in the team -- I don't see it as a character flaw.

It might be neat to watch jerseygirl's Red Sox plan come to fruition: "It's a drive to left center... it FALLS between Cujo and the Stack of Wood. Cujo cuts it off before the wall -- Box of Rocks (better than bringing Nomar back to play short) is out for the cutoff. Cujo runs the ball toward Box of Rocks... but he turns and bolts at the last second ... Cujo has leapt into Lucchino's box... HE'S TEARING OUT HIS JUGULAR! OH, THE HORROR..."

Sorry. I couldn't resist. I'm not only clueless, I'm easily entertained.

posted by BullpenPro at 12:43 AM CDT on December 22

Bullpenpro, Damon wasn't run out of town. He took more money from the yankees. Damon also enjoys the spotlight, and ny is unmatched in that area. He wasn't driven out of town by fans.

As far as bitter, you're imagining it in your head. I just read the thread top to bottom, and I see sox fans happy with the deal and not happy with the deal. I see lots of opinions, but not much "damon sucks/ I hate the yankees", which is what you'd get with bitter.

Sox fans aren't playing into the stereotype you've got in your head. Maybe you're at the wrong site.

posted by justgary at 2:21 AM CDT on December 22

Maybe my memory's bad, but this just reminds me of when Andy Pettite went to the Astros instead of staying with the Yankees. The Yankees didn't go after him hard enough, didn't make him feel as badly wanted as he thought he should, so he went with another team, and the Yankees were then labeled "disloyal." Granted, Pettite didn't go to the team's hated rival, but more and more in pro sports, the only loyalty that exists towards teams is from their fans.

posted by dyams at 5:51 AM CDT on December 22

While I am a bitter Red Sox fan, I'm not bitter because of the Red Sox. I'm just a miserable sumbitch. So there.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 6:07 AM CDT on December 22

Damon wasn't run out of town. He took more money from the yankees. Damon also enjoys the spotlight, and ny is unmatched in that area.

While he took more money, I don't think he wanted to go there. I believe that in the bottom of my heart. He wanted to play for the Red Sox, but he wanted them to gp a little higher than their inital offer (forget the original lowball offer, which is always a excellent way to start things off right). When Boras called with the news of the 52mil offer, the Red Sox thought he was blowing gas and told him to screw. Part of me can't blame the Red Sox, Boras had the same show last year with Varitek and the "mystery team". But when the player is calling and saying that the offer is on the table and people are reporting it (apparently this story was on one of the late night sunday shows), you might want to check into it's validity. The Red Sox could have met him in the middle somewhere and he'd be signed, but they didn't.

They dropped the ball, I also firmly believe that this was not in the plan. Johnny Damon was supposed to be their CF next year. And if this is about an additional 2-3mil/year? They're paying 40mil to Edgar Renteria and he plays for the Braves!

Bronson Arroyo:
“It’s just disappointing, man — it seems like the fricking wheels are falling off,” said the 28-year-old pitcher. “Personally, I want to stay with the Red Sox but this could mean that I’m the pitcher who would have to go to another team if they need another center fielder.”

You got that right

posted by YukonGold at 6:18 AM CDT on December 22

They're paying 40mil to Edgar Renteria and he plays for the Braves!

oops, its early. I meant to say...

They're paying 8mil to Edgar Renteria and he plays for the Braves!

Edgar originally signed a 40mil deal. The 8mil is a third of his remaining salary.

posted by YukonGold at 6:51 AM CDT on December 22

I don't get the Bernie Williams talk. If the Sox want to send Yankee fans a message, winning another pennant seems like a more effective cause of distress than signing one of their beloved but no-longer-significant players. With the money the Sox have, they can afford a better, younger Damon in centerfield.

posted by rcade at 7:34 AM CDT on December 22

I don't get the Bernie Williams talk.

And you won't have to worry about it any more.

There is a report out there that Williams just signed with the Yankees for 1-year/1.5million.

posted by grum@work at 8:50 AM CDT on December 22

posted by jerseygirl at 8:57 AM CDT on December 22

With the money the Sox have, they can afford a better, younger Damon in centerfield.

The Yankees have quite a bit of money, too, but I don't think picking up a "better, younger" center fielder is just like opening a phone book. Damon hits over .300, scores a ton of runs, drove in 75 last year, and steals some bases. Those players aren't around every corner. There's probably a lot of Bubba Crosby-type players around, who may be younger, but they're not better.

posted by dyams at 9:30 AM CDT on December 22

The current suspects:

(via freeagency)
Preston Wilson
Matt Lawton
Juan Encarnacion
Richard Hidalgo
Eric Byrnes
Reggie Sanders
Gabe Kapler

(via trade ?)
Carlos Beltran
Brady Clark
Coco Crisp
Joey Gathright
Ken Griffey Jr.
Torii Hunter
Corey Patterson
Jeremy Reed
Dave Roberts
Randy Winn

(2006-2007 free agents)
Jim Edmonds (Team Option)
Mike Cameron (Team Option)
Juan Pierre
Kenny Lofton
Gary Matthews Jr.
Jay Payton
Randy Winn
Torii Hunter (Team Option)
Steve Finley (Team Option)
Milton Bradley
Aaron Rowand (Player + Team Options)(arb.)
Dave Roberts

This list obviously isn't every availabilty, just my filtration of the info available. Hunter is a name that has come up in the past, but not recently. He'd probably top my list.

posted by YukonGold at 10:46 AM CDT on December 22

YukonGold
Cubs could trade Patterson and Cedeno and take Manny off your hands! :0

posted by skydivedad at 10:57 AM CDT on December 22

How about Matt Clement (you know you want him back) and 1/3 ownership of the final world series out ball?

posted by YukonGold at 11:52 AM CDT on December 22

Baseball ownership offer not valid in Illinois.

posted by yerfatma at 11:58 AM CDT on December 22

While he took more money, I don't think he wanted to go there. I believe that in the bottom of my heart. He wanted to play for the Red Sox

Well, while not bitter, I may be cynical. I've read everything I can on the deal, and I'm somewhere in the middle. You can pretty much throw out all of Damon's "they stole me" talk. He's currently doing PR work.

And I'm sure management screwed this up in many ways. I think Damon did enjoy boston (and the fans, and players, which is what I disagreed with bullpenpro) and wanted to stay, but not enough to take anything less, which means wanting to stay in boston matters very little. And he'll enjoy NY.

For me the biggest problem I have with boston management is what Bronson said. They appear to have no clue. It's embarrassing. I have no problem with not giving Damon the money. I don't root for Damon. I do have a problem that they appear to have done so with no back up plan.

posted by justgary at 12:15 PM CDT on December 22

Nice list Yukon. It shows how few YOUNGER and BETTER centerfielders there are than Damon - age 32 (b'day 11/6), career avg. 290, last year avg. 316. Lets check out your list.

Age:
Finley 40, Lofton 38, Sanders 37, Griffey 35, Edmonds 35, Lawton 33, Roberts 33, Cameron 32, Payton 32.

That eliminates those not younger, now lets look at the ones that are younger to see if they are better.

Wilson BA 264, Encarnacion 268, Hildago, 269, Byrnes 259, Kapler 271, Beltran 282, Patterson 252, Winn 288, Mathews 249, Bradley 269, Rowand 283, Crisp 287, Hunter 267.

I fully realise BA isn't all that counts, but Damon's specialty is as a leadoff hitter. As that is what the Yanks were looking for, they couldn't have done much better. Of the younger players listed, I would have no problem saying Beltran, Winn, Rowand, Crisp and Hunter are as good or better. All in all, YOUNGER AND BETTER leaves a pretty small list.

posted by drevl at 12:31 PM CDT on December 22

All in all, YOUNGER AND BETTER leaves a pretty small list.

I wasn't fully aware how short the list of younger, better center fielders was until I saw that list.

posted by dyams at 1:28 PM CDT on December 22

Whatever they do, just say no to Eric Byrnes. Whiny Varitek-pushing baby.

posted by jerseygirl at 2:07 PM CDT on December 22

Brady Clark is a name that really intrigues me. Don't know why the Brewers would want to move him though.

posted by YukonGold at 2:31 PM CDT on December 22

Here is an article with Johnny saying he's sorry to Boston fans and it also includes Bernie Williams signing with NYY.

posted by skydivemom at 3:29 PM CDT on December 22

O.k. So SOME fans may be bitter.

Good riddance, Johnny Damon, self-proclaimed American idiot.

posted by justgary at 3:58 PM CDT on December 22

jg

I think this will be a "Reverse Curse of The Idiot" for the Yanks. Your better off without him. I am burning my copy of his stupid book on your behalf. Now if you'll trade Manny for Patterson and Cedeno.....:)

posted by skydivedad at 4:32 PM CDT on December 22

I am burning my copy of his stupid book on your behalf.

You better not burn MY BOOK! I like the Red Sox and I am all for the team spirit but hey Johnny is Johnny! He will always be, ummmm, my idiot!

posted by skydivemom at 4:53 PM CDT on December 22

Whatever they do, just say no to Eric Byrnes. Whiny Varitek-pushing baby.

Gahhhhh! Don't remind me - I didn't hear that. La la la la la!

posted by dusted at 5:22 PM CDT on December 22

I appreciate the thought skydivedad, but in the interest of family harmony, please do not burn the book =)

posted by justgary at 9:11 PM CDT on December 22

jg
To late the book is toast. Made a great evening burning away in the fireplace. Cost me a night on the couch but well worth it, beside I'm used to it. Now about that Patterson Trade? I'll throw in a promising young Shortstop. (Cedeno)

posted by skydivedad at 7:57 AM CDT on December 23

Ha.

posted by justgary at 12:53 PM CDT on December 23

I gotta say, the big lug doesn't look too bad. Good call not going back to the '02 Patrick Swayze look.

is it time for another Red Dawn thread???

posted by lil_brown_bat at 1:00 PM CDT on December 23

The Boss seemed pleased.

"He looks like a Yankee, he sounds like a Yankee and he is a Yankee," Steinbrenner said in a statement.

posted by dusted at 1:21 PM CDT on December 23

is it time for another Red Dawn thread???

If we're talking Swayze films, I think the logical next stop is Roadhouse. To wit:

"I'm on my break!"

posted by yerfatma at 1:58 PM CDT on December 23

"He looks like a Yankee"

In the year 2005, is anyone else creeped out by Turtleneck George's insistence on imposing male grooming standards on a group of young, athletic men?

posted by yerfatma at 2:00 PM CDT on December 23

is anyone else creeped out by Turtleneck George's insistence on imposing male grooming standards on a group of young, athletic men?

When you put it that way, it does seem kind of bizarre. I appreciate, though, his (Steinbrenner's) ability to stick to his standards regarding dress and appearance, even in this day and age. At least he doesn't have to rely on the league to impose a dress code, etc. on players like the NBA did. The Red Sox' "Slob Squad" was cute when they were winning a World Series, but now it's just annoying. Damon looks better and will probably play even better.

posted by dyams at 3:07 PM CDT on December 23

He needs to shave those sideburns, though.

posted by qbert72 at 10:33 PM CDT on December 23

Oh yeah - they gotta go!

posted by skydivemom at 10:58 PM CDT on December 23

He needs to shave those sideburns, though.

I think I've heard that somewhere before...

Hmmm....

posted by grum@work at 11:41 PM CDT on December 23

Anyone else look at that photo of Damon and think he looks like Neil Young?

posted by wfrazerjr at 9:02 AM CDT on December 24

Good God, have you SEEN Neil Young lately? Neil won't even be ALIVE at the end of Damon's contract.

posted by dyams at 9:26 AM CDT on December 24

Neil Young hasn't looked well since Kent State.

posted by wfrazerjr at 10:52 AM CDT on December 24

Same goes for those four kids.

posted by yerfatma at 1:36 PM CDT on December 24

Neil won't even be ALIVE at the end of Damon's contract.

Ye of little faith. Neil and the roaches, that's all that'll be left.

posted by justgary at 1:44 PM CDT on December 24

hey whatever george still has all the money!

posted by yankee at 9:37 PM CDT on December 25

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