Suffering a huge loss
I was hopeful the holiday season would be cheery and bright, but last I checked things are looking bleak, dim.
According to a Boston Globe report, Johnny Damon has agreed to join the Evil Empire.
Losing Damon is almost the worst thing that could have happened. I've talked to many a fan and most would rather have kept Damon over Manny Ramirez. I position I did not adhere to. However, as I look at this current team I can't seem to look past the gaping hole up the middle.
I know of no team who is missing a shortstop and a centerfielder.
The loss of Damon is more significant when you factor in his stellar ability to get on base. He is the BEST leadoff guy in the game. Yes, even better than that Ichiro guy in Seattle, especially when factoring the RBIs.
Even more of an issue playing for New York. This gives the Yankees the legitimate leadoff guy they've been missing for years. Their lineup is even sicker now than a year ago: Damon, Jeter, A-Rod, Sheffield, Matsui, Giambi, Posada, Cano and name your DH. Impressive is not the word.
I agree $52 million is a little steep, but I can not believe that the Red Sox couldn't have offered, let's say, $47 million to keep him. I think that would have done it.
The N.Y. Post's Joel Sherman writes "Adding Idiot is no laughing matter." Indeed; I'm not amused.
Secretly, I thought this deal was going to happen a long time ago. How could the Yankees not have this scenario in their plans? They did little else to improve the team this offseason and we all know they have money. (Although, The NY Times reports that reliever Octavio Dotel also will go to the Yanks).
Rumors, flying weeks ago, said the Yankees were simply waiting for the arbitration period to end. It passed they swung and hit a home run.
Damon will not be the same player that he was with the Red Sox. Sure his numbers will be good - no doubt - but he was much more than that to the Red Sox. Much like the fans who filled the seats, he was a gritty, hard-working player who despite injuries gave his all with every at-bat or fly ball. And we, the fans, loved him for it.
His long hair and beard represented the opposite of a man in pinstripes. Now, the Caveman is gone. Long live the Caveman!
One more thing: Theo where are you?
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