Johnny Damon signed with the Detroit Tigers for a 1year 8 million dollar contract. I think I'm upset? Yea, I'm really upset to see Johnny go. Even though he's getting old at 36 and the fact that we (the Yankees) traded for an amazing athlete in Curtis Granderson, Mr. Damon brought so much to the table for the Yankees. After reading Joe Torre's "Yankee Years" and Damon's naked push-ups and pull-ups to loosen the mood the Yankees locker room what else can you honestly ask for in a player? He was the definition of a team player, he put up good numbers, and was an absolute fan favorite even when he was injured. I loved the way he played the game, even though his swing and throwing style was unorthodox to say the least.
Once Michael Kay designated the middle deck in right field "Damon's deck" I would always check to see if tickets were available there, but it always seemed to be sold out in that area so the 300 level seats or bleachers would work well regardless. Now, Johnny Damon also changed the Yankee Stadium Bleach Creature "roll call" (for those who do not know what that is the fans in the bleachers chant every players name until they acknowledge them, usually with a raised hand) but Damon would turn and give a rockstar salute with with tongue out and the crowd would go wild for him. He brought a fun, loose, relaxed demeanor into the somewhat serious and uptight Yankee team.
Now, for a lead-off man, so what he's a lefty at Yankee Stadium, he put up some serious numbers when he was in the line-up on a everyday basis. In his four years with the Bronx Bombers he hit 77 homeruns, had a .285 batting average, and averaged over 100 runs each year with the Yankees, not bad at all for having missed time for injury. He's a good old boy who just enjoyed being on the field and winning, and winning he did, as we all know he won a World Series this past year with the Yankees and the world was great to him. But the guys in the head office decided to part ways with him this year mainly because he wanted a long term deal and for a 36 year old outfielder it doesn't seem possible cause the Yankees have made that mistake before.
I'm going to miss Johnny at the top of the line-up for the Yanks this year, as I'm sure many others will as well. After we stole him from the Red Sox we cleaned him up and made him cute and cuddley, kinda like a stray dog. Regardless of his "Judas" like acts he's going to be better known for his "Idiots" theme he implemented on Bo-Sox team. But he was a good Yankee always playing hard not worrying about his body running into walls and coming up with big hits giving him a nice pie in the face. So here's to you Mr. Damon, I'll miss you in Pinstripes, but I'm sure you'll do well in the AL Central then we can see you in the first round of play-offs at the House that Ruth Built. Thank you Johnny.
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