Later, Hippy

 Johnny Damon Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com

SI.com - MLB - Damon has first chat with Steinbrenner - Wednesday December 21, 2005 9:49PM

   We're currently welcoming comments regarding Johnny Damon's free agent shuffle off to the Big Apple. The Yankers signed away Boston's caveman-ish center fielder for an eye-popping $52 million/4 year deal.

   The Yankees didn't play around. They put an ultimatum offer on the table for Damon, who would have been a fool to turn it down. He will replace NYC icon Bernie Williams (declining stats and range) in the Yank outfield.

   Damon is also a case of helping yourself while hurting your rival for the Yankees. The Yankees think that they have ripped the soul out of their hated rivals.  They certainly have left a lumberjack-sized hole in our outfield.  The Red Sox may now be operating without their spiritual core.

   Damon will be missed here in the Bean. He played a mega role in our World Series win. His defense and baserunning were solid, he had a lively bat, and he was a positive influence in the locker room. That grand salami he put up in the playoffs in 2004 is one of my favorite personal sports memories.

   The Red Sox are hoping that the Yankees paid Damon too much, especially as he's 32.  He's not getting any faster, and his HR total was half of what it was in the World Series year. If the Yankees insist that he shave off that mane he walks around with, it may have a Samson/Deliah effect on his potency at the plate.

   As to how it works out, your guess is as good as mine. That's why they play the games.