Damon and the Yanks [Archive]

Lil_A-rod

01-14-2006, 08:30 AM

Do you think that Damon is good for the Yanks? Please take the poll and leave coments. Thanks!!!!!

Yankeebiscuitfan

01-14-2006, 01:01 PM

To be honest, I don't know him very well.

I bet there will always be a person/player, that he can't get along with.

BTW, I think it is a very nice move to wear my nickname in your custom user title.;)

Mattingly

01-14-2006, 08:55 PM

He bats very well, he can hit into the clutch, he can hit a HR into RF, he runs well, both on the basepaths and in the field.

Will his health remain over 4 years? If he can at least hit, he'll eventually be the DH.

His absence has put a big hole in both the Red Sox' lineup and outfield, so it can be seen as a double bonus. While not necessarily the finest CFer out there, which many would believe would be Andruw Jones, he was about the best available, and especially one that had thrived in the middle of the heated AL East race.

I'll hold off until I see for myself what he does from 2006-09, as the 2002-05 performance for which he was compensated quite handsomely, has already passed.

sandlot

01-15-2006, 02:14 AM

Interesting that NY's first choice was apparently Juan Pierre, but the price was too high. As important as the rivalry is to fans, I wonder how large a factor that is -- or should be -- in making decisions on acquisitions.

Sberl

01-15-2006, 02:24 AM

I think Damon it's a bet; during his red sox esperience he proved he's a very good centerfielder, able to hit, good runner and good defensively. But there's another important factor, the red sox atmosphere which is completely different from the yankees one and I think this could affect Damon 2006 season.

Pinstripe Pride

01-15-2006, 04:51 AM

I think a lot of people feel good about it, but just like anything, only time will tell.

http://mlb.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pMLB2-2455714dt.jpg

Myankee4life

01-15-2006, 08:07 PM

Damon was a good pickup because it strengthen our team and weakened the Sox. He also brings one of the best leadoff bats in the league and has some pop. He can steal a base or two when needed and the combination of him and Jeter getting on base before A-rod is intriguing.

ricky151

01-23-2006, 04:49 PM

he will cover more ground than bernie could being old an all the last couple of years. He will allow jeter to bat second, his natural position in the lineup. juan pierre has one of the worst arms in baseball, no thanks. Most of all its like taking a knife into the hearts of the redsox fans. Now the redsox will not even finish second in the al east nevermind a wild card birth

Edgartohof

01-23-2006, 05:00 PM

juan pierre has one of the worst arms in baseball

Damon's ain't so hot either.

yankees-chick

01-23-2006, 06:11 PM

personality-wise, i think he'll do ok. jeter won over A-Rod, i'm sure they can win over damon. thus far he has seemed very excited to be a part of the team.

as for his performance, i think he'll be an asset to the team, but he's not going to "make" the yankees. last year was a career best for him, and its unrealistic to expect that from him again. he'll do well and he'll be a good part of the team, but he's no arod/jeter/shef/etc.

DoubleX

01-23-2006, 07:28 PM

as for his performance, i think he'll be an asset to the team, but he's not going to "make" the yankees. last year was a career best for him, and its unrealistic to expect that from him again. he'll do well and he'll be a good part of the team, but he's no arod/jeter/shef/etc.

I'd actually say that last year might only have been Damon's 4th best season. There isn't much difference between his top seasons, but he's had other seasons where his average was around .310, but he had more homeruns, more RBI, better OBP (and OPS) and more stolen bases.

Blackout

01-24-2006, 07:52 PM

only person to say no is a Sox fan haha

Mattingly

01-25-2006, 01:00 AM

only person to say no is a Sox fan haha
There haven't even been any Red Sox fans posting into this thread. :confused:

Anyway, the Red Sox had Marte at 3B, who was pretty much 2006-2007 ready, and the only people we had to trade was Cano, Wang or Small. Who else could we have traded? It seemed like the free agency market was our only choice.

Right now, I'll have to take my chances that Johnny will utilize the short front porch in RF, where Ruth, Gehrig, Yogi have taken advantage of, as he's finally playing in a park with a real LF.

If he doesn't try setting himself aside from the others, acknowledges respectfully the extremely Bernie whom he's replacing, can call off both Matsui and Sheffield, as the CFer is the "boss" for balls going down the gaps, then he should be fine. All he has to do is avoid injury and play a great game.

Like Randy Johnson, there's always the factor of what he will do in the last year of his contract. However, we'll have to get to that bridge when crossed. For now, I just hope for a great 2006 from him, and I'll cross my fingers at times, you can be sure. :D

pesky6

01-25-2006, 01:12 PM

First of all, you're asking two questions in the same poll. If your answer is yes or no to both, then you're fine. Others might have a different opinion.

Everyone agrees that Damon was the best FA CF out there and I'm sure he'll fit in with all of the other overpriced players in that lineup (to think that Cano is the only starter to be making less than 10 mil is mind-boggling :crazy). Likewise, Damon's presence in Boston will be missed for sure. He was a clubhouse leader and his on-field play is remarkable.

I think a better question would be, "Are the Yankees good for Damon?" To that, my answer would be NO. He's already cut his hair and beard to conform to that ridiculous standard and fit in with all of the other corporate executive-types in that clubhouse. He won't be revered the same way he was in Boston, not even close. His stature with the Sox was almost of mythic proportions--he wrote a book, he appeared in commercials, he was endearing to the media and the fans, and he was one of the heroes of 2004.

And with one mighty stroke of the pen, he became $12M richer and wiped out everything he worked for in Boston at the same time. Sure, he might have more money, but he'll never have the same noteriety in NY as he had in Boston. That'll all become crystal clear on May 1. If you think otherwise, I've got some oceanfront property in Arizona to sell you.

Cheap.

(actually, not cheap--it's not like you guys aren't used to overpaying for stuff :rolleyes: )

KCGHOST

01-25-2006, 01:16 PM

Heck, when you are winning even rabid dogs can get along.

Tinyballer

01-25-2006, 01:45 PM

As long as this pissess off the red sox i am satisfied

pesky6

01-25-2006, 03:53 PM

I think a lot of people feel good about it, but just like anything, only time will tell.

http://mlb.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pMLB2-2455714dt.jpg

First of all, is that an officially licensed tshirt? If so, there's one more way MLB leeches off the pain and suffering of the Red Sox.

What would be better is if the shirt said, "Where winning happens so often that we've become spoiled by our success."

Just a thought.

DoubleX

01-25-2006, 04:26 PM

What would be better is if the shirt said, "Where winning happens so often that we've become spoiled by our success."

Just a thought.

Boston has enjoyed more than it's share of success in recent years (3 Superbowls, and the previously unattainable World Series). You guys have had a nice run the past few years. Plus the Celtics are historically way up there (I'd say the Lakers have passed them in recent years though).

Mattingly

01-25-2006, 09:44 PM

I think a better question would be, "Are the Yankees good for Damon?" To that, my answer would be NO. He's already cut his hair and beard to conform to that ridiculous standard and fit in with all of the other corporate executive-types in that clubhouse. He won't be revered the same way he was in Boston, not even close. His stature with the Sox was almost of mythic proportions--he wrote a book, he appeared in commercials, he was endearing to the media and the fans, and he was one of the heroes of 2004.

And with one mighty stroke of the pen, he became $12M richer and wiped out everything he worked for in Boston at the same time. Sure, he might have more money, but he'll never have the same noteriety in NY as he had in Boston. That'll all become crystal clear on May 1. If you think otherwise, I've got some oceanfront property in Arizona to sell you.

Cheap.

(actually, not cheap--it's not like you guys aren't used to overpaying for stuff :rolleyes: )
Highly debatable what Johnny Damon will do in a Yankee uniform. Not just at Fenway, but against other teams, such as the White Sox, Toronto, Angels, and even the Mets this summer. He could be a great player whose energy level from Boston is duplicated here, or he could be a bust. I don't see how anyone here could predict what he'll do.

As to overpaying, yes, the Yanks have overpaid in the past, and in the case of Damon, yes they did. Then again, to get a player so revered as you've described, what choice did they have but to overpay and get him signed? Had Manny or Ortiz been an FA, I'd say that any team wanting either of them would also have to overpay vs what Boston would've offered.

I'd also point out that the Yanks have overpaid in terms of money, but not in terms of players, which they might have had Cleveland talked trade with the Yanks. I can deal with George writing a another of countless pricy checks, but letting go of a top farmhand isn't something that can be easily duplicated, if at all.

farmsystem

01-26-2006, 07:48 AM

I think Damon fills the Yankees need for a CF who can cover more ground and a leadoff hitter. Although he is coming at a very expensive price.

SoxSon

01-27-2006, 04:00 PM

as for his performance, i think he'll be an asset to the team, but he's not going to "make" the yankees.

Interestingly, I'd have to disagree with you. I think that NY completely changed their lineup for the better with just one guy.
If Damon doesn't have an outstanding season this coming year, I'll be shocked.

Yankeebiscuitfan

01-27-2006, 04:16 PM

Interestingly, I'd have to disagree with you. I think that NY completely changed their lineup for the better with just one guy.
If Damon doesn't have an outstanding season this coming year, I'll be shocked.

At bat it will be OK. But in the field...? I still would stick with Crosby.

SoxSon

01-28-2006, 09:20 AM

At bat it will be OK. But in the field...? I still would stick with Crosby.

As an overall player, YR, salary discussions aside, Damon is a giant next to Crosby.

DoubleX

01-28-2006, 09:32 AM

As an overall player, YR, salary discussions aside, Damon is a giant next to Crosby.

Can't argue with that.

Evangelion

01-28-2006, 10:39 PM

While the Yankees did over-pay Damon, money wise. The Yankees avoid the biggest mistake they or any team would have made and that would have gave Damon the 5th year, which I assume was the most important issue coming into this off-season for him and his agent Boras. If they gave Damon 5 year contract, then I would really be bashing them since he would hurt the team most likely similar to what Bernie did in 2004.

Even if the Yankees over-pay, they have the money to do so and in the end of the day, it's not really money, unless you want to count it as your money since you buy tickets and merchandise from the Yankee organization.

Anyway, to answer the original question. Do you think that Damon is good for the Yanks and going to get along with everyone? Simple answer is yes. Most people have cover my view as to why he'll be successful in New York and why fans would like him.

pacewon

01-29-2006, 05:27 PM

Bernie-like decline's are not the precedent for Center Fielders, just so everyone knows.

Kid Kilowatt

01-31-2006, 05:03 PM

DoubleX

01-31-2006, 05:36 PM

As a Yankee fan living smack-dab in the middle of Red Sox Nation, Damon leaving the Sawx to sign with the Bombers was the second best thing that happened this winter (right behind the birth of my twins). A lot of people are saying that Damon isn't going to be as big a deal in New York as he was in Boston, but c'mon - the man is truly happiest with a camera in front of him. He had a camera crew at his haircut, for heaven's sake. I say the over/under on Damon appearances on the Post's back page as of 5/1/06 is 10 (15 if he's hits under .200 in April).
Also - the Red Sox version of the shirt posted above reads - "Johnny Damon - Looks Like Jesus, Acts Like Judas, Throws Like Mary". Even I have to say that's funny.

Welcome Kid Kilowatt, and congrats on the birth of your twins!

I too have lived in the heart of Red Sox Nation (almost 5 years in Boston), so can sympathize with how life can be for a Yankee fan up there.

I think you make a good point about Damon being a camera hog. I also think he'll be on the back pages of the tabloids here in New York a lot, and I think that is because the new kid in town is almost always the focal point, especially when things are going badly. Last year it was Johnson, the year before it was Rodriguez. So if things are going back for the Yanks, and if Damon is also underperforming, he'll no doubt receive extra scrutiny.

I'm not a big Damon fan, so I'll probably be scrutinizing him a lot too, but I welcome it from the media and fans since maybe everyone here in New York will finally cut A-Rod some slack and begin to appreciate him for the remarkably great talent he is. Us Yankee fans can sure act like spoiled brats sometimes.

Mattingly

02-02-2006, 04:01 PM

I saw this article about him, which seemed very nice. Let's see how well he adjusts, and how the Yankee fans adjust to him:

Damon Says He Wants to Stay the Way He Is, but in New York (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/01/sports/baseball/01damon.html)
Michael Kay had dozens of questions for Johnny Damon yesterday at a studio in the Chelsea section of Manhattan at a taping of his interview show on the YES Network, "CenterStage." During a break, Damon had a question for Kay.

The fashionable Damon, the Yankees' new center fielder, asked Kay about the Yankees' dress code. Kay, a Yankees broadcaster, told Damon that although players must wear suits when they travel, they do not have to dress formally all the time.

With three weeks left until position players report to Tampa, Fla., for spring training, Damon is getting used to his surroundings. He has been in New York for several days, dining with Alex Rodriguez, posing for the cover of The Sporting News and doing a radio show with David Lee Roth.

Damon's shoe company, Puma, will present him with a $245,000 Ferrari today. Finding a parking space may be his next challenge, because Damon and his wife, Michelle, have decided to live in the city.

"There was a 'wow' factor to it," Damon explained.