Johnny Damon's "Thank You"

So sick of being that "boyfriend who was dumped" Sigh. Screw you Pedro, while we're at it.

He played his hardest for us and thats all you can ask. How many people here would turn down a 50% to go to the competition?

Besides, I think he is now our secret weapon against the yankees. I expect his season to be unacceptable to the Yankees fans/media. Keep the hype coming; the higher the expectations the worse the fallout will be for a disappointing season.

First let me make all of the obligatory comments: it's all a business and I wouldn't turn down extra money myself blah blah blah.

With that said: I'd love to get to a Yankees v. Sox game this year just so that I can boo his ass.

It's a business, but it's also a game, and part of the fun for me of this game is railing on our rivals. He is one of our rivals, and if I'm ever at a game he's playing in; he's going to hear it from me.

What really bothers me isn't even so much that he left, but how he has talked since he left: whining about how we pursued other alternatives while negotatiating with him (did he not notice that we even pursued other alternatives back when we were negotiating with Varitek?), referring the Yanks as "we" within five seconds of signing, etc.

If it's "just a business," why is anyone asking us as fans to not take it personally when he has clearly taken it personally? The structuring logic of that argument is inherently flawed: the rules of emotional response work both ways, and we have as much right to respond negatively as he does and has. Maybe in a few years when he's in the twilight of his career, I'll give him the sentimental standing ovation he certainly has earned for helping us break the curse; but as for next year: is there a synonym for traitor that rhymes with Damon or Idiot? I'm working on a poster.

 

that you would boo for a player who not only left via free agency, but arrived by that path as well.  I'm all for hating the Yankees, but how do you think the Indians felt when the Red Sox signed Manny Ramirez?

I think they were probably pissed. It should be noted that Manny didn't whine after leaving (well, except about the team he joined!), nor did he join the most hated rival; but still, I would not fault any Indians fan for booing Manny. I would not fault any team's fans for booing a player who left their team, assuming that team made a good-faith effort to retain them (obviously no one should be booing guys like Bellhorn, Cabrera, or Millar -- guys who were not given the chance to play for us anymore).

It IS ironic -- but keep in mind: It's not like I'm condoning harrassing Damon on the street or sending his family angry letters. I do not think Damon is a bad human being. But within the confines of the game, there is no way I'm cheering a guy who just rejected 40 mil to put on pinstripes. It's not happening.

This ad is pathetic.  All he is trying to do is mend fences so he doesn't get booed.  Well, JD you ARE going to get booed...and loudly.

He will get booed not because he did not give 100% here.  Not because he bad mouthed management or the city while he was here.  He will get booed because of the way he left.  Hey, JD is a great player and was a great player/representative for the Red Sox.  Sadly, he left as a liar and with a big jackass sign on his back.

If I remember correctly, Damon said on mlb.com, "I would never play for the Yankees".  Really, Johnny?  Hmmm.  The Red Sox offered him a fair deal.  Any deal that the Yankees offer any player is always a better deal than any other team.  I do not blame Damon for taking more money.  Heck, if another employer offered me a considerable amount of money to leave my current firm, I would go in a heartbeat.  When it comes to money, loyalty does not come into play.  The sooner fans realize this, the easier it will be to understand the pro athelete's psyche.  I think we all just wish he would shut his yap.  The chronic complaining that the Sox wanted Crisp all along, that they did not want to resign him, how it is great to be a Yankee, how he loves New York, how the Yankee Way is so great, blah, blah, blah. It is really disgusting.  All of this after he proclaimed he would never play for the Yankees.

Next thing you know, he has his arms around Cashman and Torre, cleanly shaven, his hair cut and smiling.  Makes a Red Sox fan's stomach turn.  He flat out lied.  If he came out and said, "Hey, I took the money.  Any reasonable, intelligent person would do the same.  Look, it's $12 million dollars!  I loved Boston, the fans and the organization.  But, $12 million is $12 million, people!"  But no.  he does interviews and talk shows and blames the Red Sox.  He says they did not want him and they did not offer him a fair contract....I think 4 years and $40 million was pretty fair. Disgusting.

Finally, his statement "I cried and my kids cried when I told them I was leaving Boston."  Please, Johnny we are not retarded.  It was called guilt. You felt guilty that you turned your back on the fans that loved you.  And, you only welled up because your kids cried.  Hey, when my kid cries, I well up. You also probably welled up because you realized how stupid you would look, selling yourself out, killing your image and having to explain to your fans in Boston why we couldn't hold you to your word, "I will never play for the Yankees".  Damon deserves to get booed, simply because of the way he left and where he went.  He knows this.  This is why he put the ad in the paper.  He knows the Sox fans will make it very hard for him to play at Fenway.

every game against the Yankees and applaud him if you want.  You pay for the ticket, you are entitled to cheer, jeer or boo.

You abviously buy all the bullshit that professional atheletes spew.  He does not care about the fans, Red Sox, the city or you.  All he cares about is Johnny Damon, his wife and his kids.  Oh and money to support them.  No matter what uniform he is wearing.  And, you know what, that is OK.  But it is also OK that we boo him.

Nobody booed Cabrera, did we?  Nope.  Because the Sox went a different direction.  They offered a fair contract to Damon and he stuck it to them.  I say boo him wholeheartedly.

Johnny Damon is dead to us -- Let's move on!

The ad was undoubtedly suggested by one of Boras' marketing experts.  You seriously think Johnny took time out of his Ferrari shopping to go over the copy and layout and such?  When Bledsoe did it, it felt meaningful... but these stunts only really work once.

I'd strike a finer line.  He deserves some private thanks for what he did with Boston... and to be booed as loud as possible for crossing the line.  Not only is he with them now, but he went there after saying he was with us.  He wasn't out of line in doing so, but he has to know there are still consequences.

Feel free to check out the Pinstripe Alley on this subject.  Their chortling is a bit disgusting.

Eh.  I don't think I care enough about Johnny Damon to care that much about this.  He's trying, virtue is an act, not a state of mind.  Arroyo already showed the world what real dedication to a team that you like and a town you like is like (you take less money do you what you want), and, frankly, if Steinbrenner offered me $13 mil a year for 4 years, I'd compromise a lot of what I'd previously felt strongly about, too.  It's done, I've moved on.

That's about it, but I'll add some more things.

Maybe it is an honest effort...but who cares?

It is the duty of the fans to boo this guy. He's a traitor.

In war, a traitor is put to death. This is baseball so death is out of the question. Getting booed by once faithful admirers is his sentence.

That's what this ad is about...Damon doesn't want to  get booed. Tough. It just the way it goes, Johnny.

...props to you on the Carlos Quintana reference. Well played.

Those guys are jackasses.  Me thinks I remember them booing Boomer last year, right?  Furthermore, these idiots keep saying 26-1 in championships...um, I think if I am not mistaken we have more than one.

The Yankees, however and their fans should care very much about the ONE, since they will wear that suit forever. THE BIGGEST CHOKE IN THE HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL SPORTS!!! Wear that one proudly Yankee fans.  Plus, they have a picture of a retarded Bubba Crosby on their website...