Weighing In on Damon
By Josh Q. Public
I was refraining writing this amidst all the hoopla during the mini-series, trying not to beat a dead caveman. But, after his grand slam last week, I just can't help myself. Whenever Yankees fans asked me what they were getting in Damon, I had this to say. You're going to love him. He plays hard every night. He plays hurt. He may throw like your Grandma Tilly, but he gets to balls, most centerfielders don't. He's fearless. He's the best leadoff hitter I've ever seen, this side of Rickey Henderson. He steals bases. He scores a ton of runs. My only contention with the signing from a Yankee point of view is, with the way he plays, I don't think he can keep it ip for four years. Sure, this year, and maybe next, he'll be better than Coco Crisp. Not after that. Damon has a knack for the heroics. See game 7 vs. the Yankees. He's already made a believer out of one Yankee fan. Last night, my buddy Z, sends me this text, "Damon just hit a granny, he's all man!!!" Yes he is Z, yes he is. You can't help but love the guy. This brings me to the boos.
Any Red Sox who signs with the Yankees is going to get boo'd when he comes to Fenway. Period. Its part of the rules. See Roger Clemens. Likewise, any Yankee who signs with Sox is gonna get boo'd in the Bronx. See David Wells. Joe Torre and the rest should just calm down. This is what happens. Its supposed to happen. It makes the game fun. Money, however, is what takes some of the fun out of it. Ever since Mo Vaughn said , "Its not about the money", I knew, its always about the money. No shame in that. Just say so. Don't say, "I'll never play for the Yankees..." Blah blah blah. The Public does not forget. Some memories are stronger than others, though. Sox win pennant behind Johnny's grand slam out trumps most.
