Damon: old friend, new enemy

Associated Press

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NEW YORK — Signs were posted in the New York Yankees' clubhouse Sunday reminding players to pack a coat or jacket for the chilly weather in Boston this week. Johnny Damon could get an especially cold reception from the fans at Fenway Park.

Damon, the speedy center fielder, is the first big star to switch sides in baseball's most bitter rivalry since Roger Clemens in 1999 - and Clemens at least made a two-year stop in Toronto first.

Damon, on the other hand, jumped right from the Red Sox to New York for a $52 million, four-year contract. He returns to Boston with his new team for the first time tonight, and folks in Boston are gearing up with T-shirts that read:

"Looked Like Jesus."

"Throws Like Mary."

"LOYAL Like Judas."

"Johnny B GONE!"

"I expect them to cheer what our team accomplished back then. Winning the World Series was pretty awesome," Damon said. "I expect them to boo the fact that I'm here, that I went over and that I'm playing with a team that truly needed me, truly wanted me."

A fan favorite all over New England from 2002-05, Damon sparked Boston's high-powered offense from the leadoff spot and helped lead its band of "idiots" to a World Series championship two years ago, the first for the Red Sox since 1918.

With his long hair, quick smile and colorful quotes, he became famous in a baseball-crazy city. Adoring girls and grateful fans followed him like a rock star.

But the lovefest ended the minute he left town to join the hated Yankees. George Steinbrenner's $200 million team is still the Evil Empire as far as Boston fans are concerned, and the rivalry has been around a lot longer than Damon was.

Is he eager to prove the Red Sox made a mistake by letting him get away as a free agent?

"I'm not bitter at them at all. They made a decision. It was a business decision. I commend them for holding their ground and for believing what they believe in," Damon said.

"I would just like to thank the fans. They were awesome. They don't deserve to have players keep leaving, but it's been a trend that's happened in Boston."

The Yankees lead the AL East by percentage points over Boston heading into the series.