Johnny Damon

[DougG_ATL]

So, what's the general feeling among Arsenal fans who also love the hardball about Johnny Damon's defection to the Yankees?

I think it's absolute garbage and proof that 90% of American athletes (and probably most European athletes, too) are only loyal to money. Damon's represented by Scott Boras, also known as The Antichrist, also known as Hideous Leech, who is responsible for many of the ridiculous contracts in baseball over the past decade.

Damon has given a massive middle finger to the organization that he won the World Series with just 14 months ago and it's hurtful to baseball, because it proves that there is no loyalty and ultimately no rivalry outside of the fandom.

This is close to an equivalent to Henry or Bergkamp going to farking Spurs or ManUre.

[HighburyGoon]

So, what's the general feeling among Arsenal fans who also love the hardball about Johnny Damon's defection to the Yankees?

I think it's absolute garbage and proof that 90% of American athletes (and probably most European athletes, too) are only loyal to money. Damon's represented by Scott Boras, also known as The Antichrist, also known as Hideous Leech, who is responsible for many of the ridiculous contracts in baseball over the past decade.

Damon has given a massive middle finger to the organization that he won the World Series with just 14 months ago and it's hurtful to baseball, because it proves that there is no loyalty and ultimately no rivalry outside of the fandom.

This is close to an equivalent to Henry or Bergkamp going to farking Spurs or ManUre.


I think the fact that Damon left speaks volumes to what's going on in the fallout of Theo's departure. Being a Yankee fan who hates the Sux, it makes me laugh, but on the other hand, I didn't really want Damon. He can't throw any better than Bernie Williams, and the Yankees didn't really need more offense, they need pitching and defense.

[DougG_ATL]

Agreed there. I'm a Braves fan, so it's not like I'm a bleeding member of Red Sox nation, but I just think the disparity between the Yankees and pretty much every other MLB team is bad for the game. Steinbrenner, like Abramovich, will throw any amount of money necessary to buy whatever players are available. Thankfully for non-Yank fans, it hasn't worked out in recent years, because you can't buy a team.

I hope Damon flops like a fish, like many other big Yanks/Mets big-money acquisitions.

[HighburyGoon]

I hope Damon flops like a fish, like many other big Yanks/Mets big-money acquisitions.

Well, growing up in NY will make me disagree with you there. Here's the thing; it's not just the money that's talking to these guys, it's the sense of history. The Yankees are one of the most storied franchises in all of sports - worldwide - and to be a part of that, even for a few seasons, is attractive to alot of ballplayers.

[Gunner Phan]

Agreed there. I'm a Braves fan
^^

top of the eighth, 2 outs, sixth game:

http://images.art.com/images/products/large/10108000/10108957.jpg

:D :D

;)

[Gunner Phan]

babe ruth was a bosox.

[Bluto11]

I don't think it is that big of a deal. Damon did become a big name in the MLB by playing with the Red Sox, but he was on a few other teams before that.

[Gunner Phan]

I don't think it is that big of a deal. Damon did become a big name in the MLB by playing with the Red Sox, but he was on a few other teams before that.

exactly. at least he's a proven big market, big time team player...oh, btw, the yankees got roger clemens (phormer bosox). :cool:

[Bluto11]

wade boggs ended up a Yankee, not sure if he went straight from the BoSox's to the Yankees though.

[Gunner Phan]

not sure if Section 39 would be too phriendly towards JD though...

[fox point fury]

F*** Johnny Damon. All I want for Christmas is for Darryl Strawberry to be the guy who gets to cut his hair and shaves his beard off about 6 hours after Strawberry runs out of crack.

[Eddie26]

This is close to an equivalent to Henry or Bergkamp going to farking Spurs or ManUre.

How about Campbell going to...um...hmmm...yeah.

;) :D

[jwaldman11]

Agreed there. I'm a Braves fan, so it's not like I'm a bleeding member of Red Sox nation, but I just think the disparity between the Yankees and pretty much every other MLB team is bad for the game. Steinbrenner, like Abramovich, will throw any amount of money necessary to buy whatever players are available. Thankfully for non-Yank fans, it hasn't worked out in recent years, because you can't buy a team.

I hope Damon flops like a fish, like many other big Yanks/Mets big-money acquisitions.
Let's not forget that the Red Sox also have the ability to go out and basically get whoever they want as well. They were the other team that had to pay the luxury tax this year, and, in their quest to match the Yankees, they really became the Yankees. You really think Curt Schilling or Manny Ramirez signed with Boston for the chowder? The same ********ed up system that won the Sox the World Series is now the same system that just screwed them. For them to sit there and bitch about how corrupt the system is now is just ridiculous.

Oh, and before I hear about A-Rod again, let's not forget that the only reason he's a Yankee and not in Boston is because Boston and Texas couldn't make a deal. That one had nothing to do with the financial difference between the two.

[KevTheGooner]

I'm not much of a b-ball fan anymore (strike victim) but as someone who is in Red Sox land I can tell you there is sort of a sense of resignation from a lot of people I talk to. Wasn't too long ago that Clemens took this same path, and if you think Damon meant a lot to the Sox, remember what Clemens meant! And many people were resigned to Damon leaving this year (and Ramirez) so its not exactly a shock.

What continues to nauseate me is the money these guys get to play ball. I know its a freakin hard game to play and all that but this is just fantasy-land-level money and I still am surprised at how many people still drop hundreds of dollars to go to a game.

[fox point fury]

Let's not forget that the Red Sox also have the ability to go out and basically get whoever they want as well. They were the other team that had to pay the luxury tax this year, and, in their quest to match the Yankees, they really became the Yankees.

Uh, er, not quite. The Sox paid about 4m in fines while the Spankee's fines were (iirc) about 56m. Not saying the Sox aren't loaded and willing to spend, but the spanks have been mlb's chelski for a while now.

[mpeabody]

They were the other team that had to pay the luxury tax this year,

The same ********ed up system that won the Sox the World Series is now the same system that just screwed them. For them to sit there and bitch about how corrupt the system is now is just ridiculous.

The Angels also had to pay the luxury tax - perhaps it was 2 years ago and not last year.

I think you underestimate the financial desparity of the 2 teams. The Yanks gave a 41 year old pitcher a 3 year extension because they can afford to eat the cash if he flops. Just like they did with Kevin Brown. It's not so much bitching about the system as systematically having your favorite players poached by the same team. Recently - Boggs, Clemens, Damon, and countless lesser players.

[jwaldman11]

The Angels also had to pay the luxury tax - perhaps it was 2 years ago and not last year.

I think you underestimate the financial desparity of the 2 teams. The Yanks gave a 41 year old pitcher a 3 year extension because they can afford to eat the cash if he flops. Just like they did with Kevin Brown. It's not so much bitching about the system as systematically having your favorite players poached by the same team. Recently - Boggs, Clemens, Damon, and countless lesser players.
I'm not underestimating anything. I just find it funny that, until they signed one of the Red Sox top players, you didn't hear a peep about this. Now suddenly it's a big deal again. Guess what? The system is messed up a lot more for teams like the Pirates and the Royals than it is for the Red Sox. I'd love to see teams like the Yanks and Sox have to compete with a salary cap, but this is the system that's in place, mainly because teams like the Yanks and Sox keep blocking a better one. Bitch all you want about Damon and Clemens and Boggs going to the Yanks, but I can tell you that it's much worse to watch your team that just won three straight division titles get taken apart because of money (the '92 Bucs) or watch your longtime catcher have to get traded because we couldn't afford his contract (Jason Kendall). Sorry, but not everything revolves around the Red Sox and Yankees, as much as the media and the fans want it to look that way.

[Grand_Rapids_Gunner]

I'm not underestimating anything. I just find it funny that, until they signed one of the Red Sox top players, you didn't hear a peep about this. Now suddenly it's a big deal again. Guess what? The system is messed up a lot more for teams like the Pirates and the Royals than it is for the Red Sox. I'd love to see teams like the Yanks and Sox have to compete with a salary cap, but this is the system that's in place, mainly because teams like the Yanks and Sox keep blocking a better one. Bitch all you want about Damon and Clemens and Boggs going to the Yanks, but I can tell you that it's much worse to watch your team that just won three straight division titles get taken apart because of money (the '92 Bucs) or watch your longtime catcher have to get traded because we couldn't afford his contract (Jason Kendall). Sorry, but not everything revolves around the Red Sox and Yankees, as much as the media and the fans want it to look that way.

I agree with that statement, but I just hate the fact that A)Johnny Damon would choose to go to the arch nemesis club of the Red Sox, and 2)that club happens to be the Yankees, who would overbid for a ball boy if they thought it would increase their win total.

I mean, my Tigers could use a centerfielder, but NOOOOO.....

[SF Gooner]

Agreed there. I'm a Braves fan, so it's not like I'm a bleeding member of Red Sox nation, but I just think the disparity between the Yankees and pretty much every other MLB team is bad for the game. Steinbrenner, like Abramovich, will throw any amount of money necessary to buy whatever players are available. Thankfully for non-Yank fans, it hasn't worked out in recent years, because you can't buy a team.

I hope Damon flops like a fish, like many other big Yanks/Mets big-money acquisitions.


Yankees actually make the revenue they throw back in the team,so it's not fair to compare them to Chelsea. He's made more revenue from tickets and TV so he's put it back into his team. That is a GOOD thing. The fact that other owners can't do it or won't do it is moot. Its not the Yankees fault that baseball doesn't have a salary cap. This is a players union issue. the Yankees are doing this by the book. To hold a grudge against the Yankees in this matter is completely wrong. They have a huge payroll but they also pay a huge luxury tax that goes into the kitty. At the end of the day it only matters if they spend smart. Spending 15 million dollars on Kevin Brown last year didn't affect anybody.

[DoctorK]

Well, growing up in NY will make me disagree with you there. Here's the thing; it's not just the money that's talking to these guys, it's the sense of history. The Yankees are one of the most storied franchises in all of sports - worldwide - and to be a part of that, even for a few seasons, is attractive to alot of ballplayers.

Living a few miles north of The House that Ruth Built, I have to second that opinion.

Damon left the Sox knowing they'd match the Yankees' offer. He left for two reasons:

1) He went where he thought he'd earn more titles in the long run;

2) Tradition.

And yes, he was ready to grow up and lose the beard and mullet. ;)

This is a good thing.

Doesn't make up for the theft of Fever Pitch. :mad: