HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERES JOHNNY

[ryflan47]

This gets its own thread. Huge news for the Yankees!!!

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-spdamon1221,0,7603605.story?coll=ny-sports-headlines

[BurgundyNGold]

Wow. Bostonians won't be able to sit comfortably for a week.

[whitskins]

I guess this is a good move for them but that's a lot of money to throw at a guy with no power and a deteriorating throwing arm in center field. He's an obvious upgrade over Bernie, but his best years are behind him.

[akhhorus]

Wow. Bostonians won't be able to sit comfortably for a week.

They've already negotiated a trade for Seattle's Jeremy Reed. A pretty good young Centerfielder. I suspect they knew this was going to happen.

[BurgundyNGold]

They've already negotiated a trade for Seattle's Jeremy Reed. A pretty good young Centerfielder. I suspect they knew this was going to happen.
Yeah, but Jonny Damon was like Mr. Redsox. Seeing him in pinstripes is going to hurt as much ir not more than seeing the Rocket in pinstripes as he mowed them down.

[akhhorus]

Yeah, but Jonny Damon was like Mr. Redsox. Seeing him in pinstripes is going to hurt as much ir not more than seeing the Rocket in pinstripes as he mowed them down.

Oh yeah, losing Damon really hurts them, but this wasn't a big surprise. I thought he was going to either the Dodgers or Yanks, just who would pony up the 13 million a year for him.

[BurgundyNGold]

Oh yeah, losing Damon really hurts them, but this wasn't a big surprise. I thought he was going to either the Dodgers or Yanks, just who would pony up the 13 million a year for him.
Somewhere, Matt Damon is playing Russian Roulette right now. However, to ensure a more certain death, he has decided to bypass using a gun in favor of randomly viewing one of Ben Affleck DVDs until he just slips away, lol.

[danny's stogie]

Players who go to the Yanks and have to clean up and look Yankee professional have a hard time. Do you really think Damon's going to be half the player he was in Boston if he has to cut off his flowing locks? What happens when he can't grow a beard down the stretch and during the playoffs? I think this is a more important question than his suspect arm strength.

[fent]

Players who go to the Yanks and have to clean up and look Yankee professional have a hard time. Do you really think Damon's going to be half the player he was in Boston if he has to cut off his flowing locks? What happens when he can't grow a beard down the stretch and during the playoffs? I think this is a more important question than his suspect arm strength.

i was wondering the same thing. ESPN.com has a photoshopped pic of him in pinstripes on the front page...they should have just photoshopped how he'll REALLY look and cut his hair and shave him up.

[smoak]

Patiently waiting for Dave's comments.

I know I for one would not want any Cowboy. Period.

[RedskinsDave]

I'm glad because it kills Sox fans. I think it's a ton of money for a guy who wouldn't play CF for my softball team because of his arm. Considering the Yanks have grown used to that lately, it makes another tough out in the lineup. I honestly would have been happy starting the year with Crosby.

[danny's stogie]

I'm glad because it kills Sox fans. I think it's a ton of money for a guy who wouldn't play CF for my softball team because of his arm. Considering the Yanks have grown used to that lately, it makes another tough out in the lineup. I honestly would have been happy starting the year with Crosby.

Despite the poor arm Damon has solid range. He's going to make the Yankee pitchers happy.

i was wondering the same thing. ESPN.com has a photoshopped pic of him in pinstripes on the front page...they should have just photoshopped how he'll REALLY look and cut his hair and shave him up.

In all seriousness I think this is an important issue. Johnny "Jesus" Damon and the corporate Yankees are seemingly a contradiction of terms. I wonder how much Damon really wants to be a Yankee as opposed to him just being ticked off at the Red Sox organization. It'll be interesting to see how comfortable he feels there and if it affects his play.

[RedskinsDave]

People really put too much into a player's look. Giambi cut his hair. Randy cut his hair. It's not that big of a deal. Damon was clean cut before anyways.

[BostonSkins]

Tough offseason for the Sox with the exception of Beckett.

I'll miss J.D. when I think of him hitting the Grand Slam in Game 7 2004, that was the moment I knew we had it won. He'll always be one of the twenty five.

Now, I hate him.

[danny's stogie]

People really put too much into a player's look. Giambi cut his hair. Randy cut his hair. It's not that big of a deal. Damon was clean cut before anyways.

It's not about the look per se, it's about the attitude and mentality of the team and the players who join the team. Giambi for example went from a frat house to the Yankee's business-like atmosphere and by all accounts he hadn't been comfortable in pinstripes until this past season. This is probably the biggest concern surrounding Damon.

[RedskinsDave]

It's not about the look per se, it's about the attitude and mentality of the team and the players who join the team. Giambi for example went from a frat house to the Yankee's business-like atmosphere and by all accounts he hadn't been comfortable in pinstripes until this past season. This is probably the biggest concern surrounding Damon.

I'm not concerned. His name is Damon, not Samson.

[danny's stogie]

I'm not concerned. His name is Damon, not Samson.

Are you listening to the DP show? They're talking about Damon doing shots of JD before playoff games, doing naked pullups as team moral builders, and lying around naked on the couch until minutes before the game starts. Damon and Steinbrenner make odd bedfellows.

[fent]

espn.com has the dresscode approved Damon up now.

[akhhorus]

The question now is do the Red Sox make a snap trade to get the heat off of them, like deal Manny for Beltran or something or deal Clement for Reed or Gathright. As a hitter, this was a major coup for the Yanks. Damon will finally give them a real leadoff hitter(if he's the Damon from the Spring not the one from the late summer), but as for defense, he's no better or worse than Bernie Williams in CF.

[BurgundyNGold]

First off, I don't give two squirts about either the Yanks or the Sox. To me, it's just like the Smoot situation, only worse.

If I were Boston, I wouldn't want Damon. They offered him a 4 year deal for $40M. The Yanks offered him 4 years or $52M. When you're already a multimillionaire -- as Damon is -- WTF is $13M to stay in a town that adores you and that gives you a chance to end your career as a blue blood hero for that team? What about loyalty to the fans? $40M is plenty of cash to do something that you're supposed to love and that $13M could've been used to get players that will help you bring home another ring. Also, why uproot your family? And finally, why go to the archrival Yanks? I'll tell you what, I think that speaks volumes about this guys character or lack thereof.

[BostonSkins]

The question now is do the Red Sox make a snap trade to get the heat off of them, like deal Manny for Beltran or something or deal Clement for Reed or Gathright. As a hitter, this was a major coup for the Yanks. Damon will finally give them a real leadoff hitter(if he's the Damon from the Spring not the one from the late summer), but as for defense, he's no better or worse than Bernie Williams in CF.

I have to disagree with this. Damon is a superior center fielder due to his speed, and therefore ability to get to more flyballs. Yankee pitchers should be extremely happy with this signing (if they aren't too busy beating up the camera-men who come to get their reaction)

[RedskinsDave]

I have to disagree with this. Damon is a superior center fielder due to his speed, and therefore ability to get to more flyballs. Yankee pitchers should be extremely happy with this signing (if they aren't too busy beating up the camera-men who come to get their reaction)

He tracks down balls well but throws like a girl. I like his bat but his CF play is a push compared to the old version of Bernie. Oh and no Yankees pitcher beat up a camera man, RJ only pushed him away. The beatdown was by a Ranger. I'm shocked Mr. Attention Schilling hasn't called a press conference yet to announce his retirement.

[danny's stogie]

First off, I don't give two squirts about either the Yanks or the Sox. To me, it's just like the Smoot situation, only worse.

If I were Boston, I wouldn't want Damon. They offered him a 4 year deal for $40M. The Yanks offered him 4 years or $52M. When you're already a multimillionaire -- as Damon is -- WTF is $13M to stay in a town that adores you and that gives you a chance to end your career as a blue blood hero for that team? What about loyalty to the fans? $40M is plenty of cash to do something that you're supposed to love and that $13M could've been used to get players that will help you bring home another ring. Also, why uproot your family? And finally, why go to the archrival Yanks? I'll tell you what, I think that speaks volumes about this guys character or lack thereof.

13M is a lot of money no matter how you slice it. It's also roughly 25% more than what Boston was offering. I understand the concept of loyalty, but it's not like we're talking about pennies here.


He tracks down balls well but throws like a girl. I like his bat but his CF play is a push compared to the old version of Bernie.

Arm strength is secondary to range when it comes to evaluating CFs. He's a big upgrade over Bernie.

[BurgundyNGold]

13M is a lot of money no matter how you slice it. It's also roughly 25% more than what Boston was offering. I understand the concept of loyalty, but it's not like we're talking about pennies here.

How much does he already have in the bank? $50M? $100M? Plus, he stood to make a whole lot more in Red Sox based endorsement deals that he would in NY. It would be the same as Darrell Green signing with Dallass. It was an idiot, lowlife move IMO.

To me, when you're the self-imposed face of the organization, you owe it to that organization to consider all of the variables. It's not like the Sox weren't willing to give him sick $$$. The Sox cannot spend as much as the Yanks. That's a given. So, when given $40M -- which is plenty enough to feed one's family -- and knowing that the $13M would likely go to try and earn you another ring, I can't see how you jump ship to the enemy for $13M. $30M, I can understand, but not $13M. And maybe never to the enemy, not matter how much they offered.

Now, he's a self-imposed pariah in Boston, not so much because he left but because he went to the Yanks of all people. And for what? Trust me, those folks don't forget anything Sox related.

[danny's stogie]

How much does he already have in the bank? $50M? $100M? Plus, he stood to make a whole lot more in Red Sox based endorsement deals that he would in NY. It would be the same as Darrell Green signing with Dallass. It was an idiot, lowlife move IMO.

To me, when you're the self-imposed face of the organization, you owe it to that organization to consider all of the variables. The Sox cannot spend as much as the Yanks. That's a given. So, when given $40M -- which is plenty enough to feed one's family -- and knowing that the $13M would likely go to try and earn you another ring, I can't see how you jump ship to the enemy for $13M. $30M, I can understand, but not $13M.

Now, he's a self-imposed pariah in Boston, not so much because he left but because he went to the Yanks of all people. And for what? Trust me, those folks don't forget anything Sox related.

You don't make squat on local endorsements. 13M is 25% more than Boston was offering. Thats a big difference.

As for all the other variables. Damon is a pro athleter, not a fan. It's a job to him, a business, and he has no responsibility to the Boston fans or the organization and I don't understand why he'd think twice about becoming a pariah to Sox Nation.

[BurgundyNGold]

You don't make squat on local endorsements. 13M is 25% more than Boston was offering. Thats a big difference.

As for all the other variables. Damon is a pro athleter, not a fan. It's a job to him, a business, and he has no responsibility to the Boston fans or the organization and I don't understand why he'd think twice about becoming a pariah to Sox Nation.
Well, I guess if it's all about the $$$, then I wish him the best as he burns in hell.

[RedskinsDave]

Well, I guess if it's all about the $$$, then I wish him the best as he burns in hell.

He's on his fourth team now. I don't think the league has given him any reason to be too loyal.

[BurgundyNGold]

He's on his fourth team now. I don't think the league has given him any reason to be too loyal.
That's a good point.

[whitskins]

First off, I don't give two squirts about either the Yanks or the Sox. To me, it's just like the Smoot situation, only worse.

If I were Boston, I wouldn't want Damon. They offered him a 4 year deal for $40M. The Yanks offered him 4 years or $52M. When you're already a multimillionaire -- as Damon is -- WTF is $13M to stay in a town that adores you and that gives you a chance to end your career as a blue blood hero for that team? What about loyalty to the fans? $40M is plenty of cash to do something that you're supposed to love and that $13M could've been used to get players that will help you bring home another ring. Also, why uproot your family? And finally, why go to the archrival Yanks? I'll tell you what, I think that speaks volumes about this guys character or lack thereof.

Well, Damon doesn't have to worry about uprooting his family, he abandoned them a while back because life as a husband and father clashed with his rock star rep and lifestyle.

I read a bit of this guy's book last year since my girlfriend is a huge Sox fan and got it for her brother last Christmas. Damon is a complete moron. He essentially brags about cheating on his wife constantly throughout their marriage and trashes her repeatedly for simply wanting him to settle down and stop having sex with other women. Apparently that was too much to ask so he ditched her and fills the rest of his book with chapters on his now guilt free sex life and how great it's been since he ditched the fam. Nice guy.

This doesn't surprise me at all, Damon has basically said all along that he was gonna go to the highest bidder and his use of the Yankees as a negotiation ploy throughout last season was quite Pedro-like. I thought he would be a Yankee next year for a while. Dollars speak to this guy, loyalty is not one of his finer traits.

13 mil is a heck of a lot of money and the Yanks are always a title contender, but if I were him I would have thought about how such a move would cheapen what he did in that World Series year for the Sox. That was a legacy that would have lived forever in that town and he threw it away. Is that legacy worth 13 mil? Tough decision, but I think one day he may regret it.

[ryflan47]

espn.com has the dresscode approved Damon up now.
It would suck for him if the Yankees dealt him to some other team after he cut his hair.

[BurgundyNGold]

Well, Damon doesn't have to worry about uprooting his family, he abandoned them a while back because life as a husband and father clashed with his rock star rep and lifestyle.

I read a bit of this guy's book last year since my girlfriend is a huge Sox fan and got it for her brother last Christmas. Damon is a complete moron. He essentially brags about cheating on his wife constantly throughout their marriage and trashes her repeatedly for simply wanting him to settle down and stop having sex with other women. Apparently that was too much to ask so he ditched her and fills the rest of his book with chapters on his now guilt free sex life and how great it's been since he ditched the fam. Nice guy.

This doesn't surprise me at all, Damon has basically said all along that he was gonna go to the highest bidder and his use of the Yankees as a negotiation ploy throughout last season was quite Pedro-like. I thought he would be a Yankee next year for a while. Dollars speak to this guy, loyalty is not one of his finer traits.
Wow, thanks for the info. I guess I don't really care if he leaves then. I'm not so sure if Boston will be so forgiving, but after hearing this, they should be.

[SkinsFan73]

oh i feel so bad for Boston right now. ok now i don't

[whitskins]

Wow, thanks for the info. I guess I don't really care if he leaves then. I'm not so sure if Boston will be so forgiving, but after hearing this, they should be.

I mean if he played for my team I wouldn't really care, Cooley's situation with the cheerleaders was a bit similar in a way. Of course he didn't write a book bragging about the whole ordeal either. I don't expect my favorite athletes to be saints, but it's obvious he's about the farthest thing from a Tedy Bruschi type guy. He's probably wanted to be the King of New York all along.

[BostonSkins]

Damon is not as loved in Boston as it seems he is made out to be by you guys. I don't know how he plays outside of new England but I think Johnny Damon the lead-off guy/center fielder will be more missed than Johnny Damon the Red Sox. If that makes any sense.

[BurgundyNGold]

I mean if he played for my team I wouldn't really care, Cooley's situation with the cheerleaders was a bit similar in a way. Of course he didn't write a book bragging about the whole ordeal either. I don't expect my favorite athletes to be saints, but it's obvious he's about the farthest thing from a Tedy Bruschi type guy. He's probably wanted to be the King of New York all along.
I'm not happy about what Cooley did. It was pretty dispicable, actually. But, like you said, I don't expect athletes to be angels, I just don't placate them when they're demons. It sounds like Damon is a real piece of work that way, so I really don't care about him anymore. In the end, it sounds like Boston will end up better off in the locker room for him leaving.

[danny's stogie]

Damon is not as loved in Boston as it seems he is made out to be by you guys. I don't know how he plays outside of new England but I think Johnny Damon the lead-off guy/center fielder will be more missed than Johnny Damon the Red Sox. If that makes any sense.

Yeah, Jeter is one of the game's best leadoff hitters. Getting some one to replace him wasn't a necessity, but someone needed to take Bernie's spot in center. I love Bernie, my golden retriever is named after him, he's one of my all time favorite athletes, but he's done as a centerfielder, that's the cold hard truth that comes with getting older and slower.

[danny's stogie]

It's not about the look per se, it's about the attitude and mentality of the team and the players who join the team. Giambi for example went from a frat house to the Yankee's business-like atmosphere and by all accounts he hadn't been comfortable in pinstripes until this past season. This is probably the biggest concern surrounding Damon.

Not to toot my own horn, but Jim Caple shares my thoughts on the issue.

link (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=caple/051221)

[RedskinsDave]

Not to toot my own horn, but Jim Caple shares my thoughts on the issue.

link (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=caple/051221)

Nothing to toot. Caple is a moron and wrote a book called "The Devil Wears Pinstripes". That pretty much renders his opinion worthless.

[danny's stogie]

Nothing to toot. Caple is a moron and wrote a book called "The Devil Wears Pinstripes". That pretty much renders his opinion worthless.

As have a dozen other writers used the past few title-less season to take shots at the Yanks, but the article doesn't say "Damon sucks because he's a Yankee and I hate the Yankees and all things Yankee". It makes valid points. Point out one line in that article that takes a biased shot at the yanks.

[RedskinsDave]

As have a dozen other writers used the past few title-less season to take shots at the Yanks, but the article doesn't say "Damon sucks because he's a Yankee and I hate the Yankees and all things Yankee". It makes valid points. Point out one line in that article that takes a biased shot at the yanks.

Makes valid points? The article is tongue in cheek. If you are serious then God help you. The guy is a self-proclaimed Yankee hater. Let me know when he has something remotely positive to say about the Yanks or even remotely accurate.

[danny's stogie]

Makes valid points? The article is tongue in cheek. If you are serious then God help you. The guy is a self-proclaimed Yankee hater. Let me know when he has something remotely positive to say about the Yanks or even remotely accurate.

It's besides the point that Caple is a Yankee hater. If you think the article is an attack on the Yanks then you're reading too much into it. It makes a point of how some athletes are better suited to certain environments and that their image and performance are either enhanced or diminished by where they play. Caple thinks that the Yankee corporate atmosphere hurt Giambi and he's not the only one believes this. Caple thinks a similar situation may happen with Damon and while we won't know until the season, it's entirely possible as Caple posits that the Yankee uniform will end up being a cage to Damon's lion personality.

[RedskinsDave]

It's besides the point that Caple is a Yankee hater. If you think the article is an attack on the Yanks then you're reading too much into it. It makes a point of how some athletes are better suited to certain environments and that their image and performance are either enhanced or diminished by where they play. Caple thinks that the Yankee corporate atmosphere hurt Giambi and he's not the only one believes this. Caple thinks a similar situation may happen with Damon and while we won't know until the season, it's entirely possible as Caple posits that the Yankee uniform will end up being a cage to Damon's lion personality.

No one said it was an attack on the Yankees. I said any time Caple comments on anything Yankees related, I will give it as much credit as I would Bin Laden on democracy. He hopes that going to the Yanks will hurt Damon and so he writes it. Congrats on agreeing with him.

[danny's stogie]

No one said it was an attack on the Yankees. I said any time Caple comments on anything Yankees related, I will give it as much credit as I would Bin Laden on democracy. He hopes that going to the Yanks will hurt Damon and so he writes it. Congrats on agreeing with him.

I never said definitively that Damon's going to suck now that he's a Yank, I said that this is more of concern than say his age or lack of arm strength. If you asked me to predict one way or another how it plays out I'd say that Damon is fine in pinstripes, but you can't say that there isn't a possibility that he suffers because of the atmosphere. As an outside observer I fail to see this hope that you're talking about, because Yankee hater or not his thoughts have merit.

[RedskinsDave]

Go to his website and you will see clearly why I don't accept any opinion he has on the Yanks. He makes Pastabelly look like a Redskins fan.

[RedskinsDave]

It's all even now. The Red Sox picked up John Flaherty.

[Ibleedburgundy]

And there you have it ladies and gentlemen, this is how the AL East works. The Red Sox got too good so the Yankees flex their financial power and buy themselves back into first place.
Does this mean Jeter will be batting in the 2 spot cause I think that would add to his fantasy value in terms of RBI's.

[The Skinsinator]

Does this mean Jeter will be batting in the 2 spot cause I think that would add to his fantasy value in terms of RBI's.Yes it does which is where he/the team prefer him to be. This moved still has me stunned. But when you look at the entire picture it's not overly surprising. NY's first game at Boston will be interesting.

[RedskinsDave]

And there you have it ladies and gentlemen, this is how the AL East works. The Red Sox got too good so the Yankees flex their financial power and buy themselves back into first place.
Does this mean Jeter will be batting in the 2 spot cause I think that would add to his fantasy value in terms of RBI's.

Yeah cause the Sox couldn't have afforded him. Come on, your rant is getting old. Go cry about Angeloser killing your team and have fun battling with the Rays for the basement.

Also, as usual, you got your facts wrong. The Yanks never left first place.