Good Riddance
By Karlsie
People are surprised and upset about Damon leaving; my question to them is why?
As early as last March, Damon was talking about leaving baseball to become a movie star. He had mastered the game and the written word; it was time to move on to the spoken word. Then came the rumors in June and July that Steinbrenner was eyeing the pretty center fielder and Damon reminded people that when he left KC, he said he'd never play for the Yankees and he meant it. When the Red Sox lost to the White Sox in game 4 of the ALCS, the photo on the front page of this web site was a long haired Damon morphing into a short-haired idiot in pinstripes.
So I ask again: why are you surprised?
Now let's look at the upset of the past few days, particularly this quote from the ProJo (Providence Journal for you folks outside of New England): "Clearly irritated by the Sox' failure to offer him the contract he felt he deserved, Damon late last night reached preliminary agreement with the Yankees on a four-year, $52-million contract that is contingent on his passing a physical."
The contract he felt he deserved?!
What human being DESERVES $52 million dollars for 4 years work? What greater good is he doing in this world that makes him deserve an annual raise of FOUR MILLION DOLLARS??? Is he fighting the world-wide AIDS crisis like other celebrities? Is he paying down the debt of third world countries so they are able to develop a stable economy that doesn't require child labor to manufacture the products he accepts millions of dollars to push on the public? Is he out there rebuilding New Orleans or working with groups like Habitat for Humanity to make sure there is quality, affordable housing for people who work two and three jobs to make ends meet and still don't have health insurance? Is he working on a cure for Alzheimer's or a way for seniors to be able to afford basic medications they need without driving over borders to Canada and Mexico?
I follow the Sox pretty closely and I can tell you that Jason Varitek and Doug Mirabelli were the first ones out there to find ways to raise real money for the Red Cross relief efforts after the hurricanes this year. I know that Tim Wakefield reaches out to kids in ways most of us could never imagine and the way Ortiz reaches out to the Latin community in Boston - particular kids in Lowell and other communities outside of Boston are amazing. Schilling is always one to put his money, name and talents where his mouth is both publicly and privately.
Name one charity associate with Johnny Damon. Go on, I'll wait. You couldn't think of one, could you?
You know what Johnny, do those things and I might think you "deserve" that kind of annual salary before endorsements and other private enterprises.
Instead, Mr. Damon married a woman that comes across like a dumb blonde. She proudly boasts of making six and seven figures flipping a single property in real estate and he writes the check. She giggles as she tells reporters he wants to "knock me up." She defends his honor claiming the first wife drove him to cheat with other woman - but the current wife didn't sleep with him until after the marriage was over. (Sorry honey, I'd rather buy inflated real estate from you than buy that story.) What a great role model for you daughter. Exactly the type of woman you want her to be: a giggling, simpering fool with nothing but a big chest and blonde hair. Nice.
Johnny Damon plays baseball and he's pretty good at it. That alone does not make you deserving of a $12 million dollar a year salary. Perhaps he needs to add a third story to his walk-in closet or another fossil fuel wasting luxury vehicle that has as much use as his pathetic acting career. (Hey Johnny, it doesn't take a lot of talent to have Drew Barrymore use you as a shield, eat a steak or drink a latte on camera.)
Any fan believing this was the Yankees calling the Sox bluff needs to wake up and smell the coffee. The truth is Damon has wanted to play for the Yankees since his days in KC. His agent lobbied a semi-interested Steinbrenner hard, including preparing a line up that shows how Damon could put them back in World Series contention. (After six years and a stint in the basement last year, Steinbrenner wants the damn trophy back.)
Damon may feel he deserves that money, me, I think he needs to remember the story of Samson who, after Deliliah cut his hair, lost his strength. Hell, I'd give an OK rocker by the name of Bono my money before I'd give it to you at this point. At least he understands how to balance his blessings and good fortune with those on the other end of the scale. (When was the last time you saw someone lobby to put Damon's name on the list of Nobel Peace Prize nominees?)
Good luck to you and the Yankees, we don't need another idiot in Boston. I don't agree with some of the post-season moves the management has made, but this is one I can fully get behind and give you a good push. As they say: don't let the door hit you where the good lord split you.
