Yeah, that's just weird.
Damon has to figure out of he wants to join the Red Sox for the stretch run of the season.
The Red Sox put a waiver wire claim in for the 36-year-old DH/Outfielder.
What does Damon actually offer?
Lets rephrase that - Leave out name recognition.
Do the Red Sox need an "outfielder" that can't throw, is 36, has lost his speed, has limited power, limited outfield range, and is really just a DH now?
A lot of writers, hosts, bloggers, etc.. have pointed to this being simply a "block" move. Since we all assumed the Tampa Bay Rays would interested in Damon - due to his previously mentioned limitations. But, last I heard on the radio and have read online the Sox have sincere interest in Damon.
The last report I heard was that Tigers brass talked to Damon and explained to him that the Sox were very interested in him and Tampa Bay did not claim him. So we know the Sox didn't have to block him from Tampa - and he's probably better than Darnell McDonald if he can still play the outfield efficiently.
But will Damon waive his "no Trade/movement clause"?
The more interesting side of the story is that whether or not the Sox do have legitimate interest, it might not matter, maybe Damon just doesn't want to come back. Early reports tell us Damon is not fully willing accept a trade to Boston, but there's still some wiggle room as Damon said it will be a tough decision.
- Ed Price reported that Johnny Damon told him that he can block any potential move to Boston and is not *inclined* to rejoin the Red Sox.
On top of the orginization giving him a big "thanks, but fuck you" - He got much of the same from the "fans", just without the thanks.
The frauds of Fenway park - you see them, there's too many to miss; They booed Johnny Damon.
Resounding boos shook the park at the mention of his name.
"Looks like Jesus, throws like Mary, betrays like Judas"
- Damon left Boston for the New York Yankees. Fact.
- The Yankees offered 12 million dollars more than the Red Sox. Fact.
- Anybody would have taken the extra 12 MILLION DOLLARS. Fact.
We live in an age where athletes make millions of dollars, team owners make billions, and fans shell out a weeks pay for a day at the park. The romanticized fandom of the past for players is (and should be) gone. There's no need to wear a jersey with another mans name on it. There's no reason to like a guy once he leaves your team. But Boston fans have developed a particular nasty habit of casting people as mustache twirling bad guys on their way out the door.
Damon telling the Red Sox and Red Sox fans to fuck themselves might be a good lesson in not burning bridges. A lesson to the team that their days of being appealing to players might be numbered. And a lesson to the so called "bandwagon fans" fans to not be so stupid.
Damon played his balls off here; He exemplified every quality that other players are chastised for not having. He was a bit of a goof. But he was a class act. He played hurt. He played often. He played hard. He played like a winner.
Remember what happened the first game back as a member of the New York Yankees? The crowd booed - 90% of the crowd booed. Yet, in a final display of class - Damon tipped his hat to the thousand or so that tried to cheer through the boos.
I just don't know if Damon is a better option than what the team already has .. and the guys already playing have worked their asses off to earn it; is it the best tact to snatch it from these hungry players in favor of a 36 year old with bum wheels?
No comments:
Post a Comment