Johnny Damon is a touchy subject for the Red Sox nation even though it's been almost five seasons since he wore a Red Sox uniform. Some of us are thankful for the 2004 World Series he helped win and some think he should be forever shunned for joining the Yankees.
Damon clearly thinks that the Nation favors the latter.
What happened after the 2005 season should be considered water under the bridge. The Red Sox won another World Series in 2007 and even though Damon and the Yanks won last year, it wasn't like he hit a walk off home run off of Tim Wakefield to get them there.
I don't think many Red Sox fans still hold a grudge, and his past few appearances at Fenway seem to back that up. But I don't think Damon has forgiven the fans and the Nation as a whole.
Why else would he stay with the Tigers, a team that is clearly not going to the playoffs? They're ten games back in the division and fifteen back in the wild card. Damon had the answer apparently.
Johnny said that he needed to stay because he needed to finish what he started. What exactly did he start? A playoff run? That doesn't look like it's going to happen, not to mention that the word playoff was never mentioned by Damon in his interview with MLB.com. Isn't the goal of the season to make the playoffs?
Well then Johnny, you failed.
Damon also mentioned in an interview about how his teammates wanted him to stay. Well since Damon is regarded as a positive clubhouse presence, this isn't too surprising. Who wouldn't want a funny guy in the clubhouse, especially when you live in Detroit?
It wasn't about his family, they weren't mentioned at all when he announced his decision.
This move was personal. Damon is still mad about 2005. Which is pretty petty considering his declining arm in centerfield, and the fact that David Ortiz was firmly set in the DH slot. Remember that '05 was his best season. No one but the Yankees were going to pay Damon that kind of money. No one can wipe their ass with hundred dollar bills but the Yankees.
Damon forfeited a potential third ring with his veto. The Red Sox are surprisingly still in contention despite injuries to practically the entire roster. Their outfield ranks dead last in the AL East in home runs. Damon isn't exactly a huge HR threat, but he would bring production up by a great deal. His charisma could've ignited a morally depleted team.
Did anyone think the Red Sox were a World Series team during the first few games of the 2004 ALCS? Things might not be looking so great right now, but momentum is huge in baseball. Damon could've brought his spirit to Boston.
Instead of seeing the perky, long haired, charismatic character we all knew and loved, all we can see is a Scrooge who's content playing for a team that's going nowhere. Damon is 36-years-old, and the opportunities for an aging DH who doesn't hit HR's are dwindling.
But that doesn't matter. As long as he gets to spite the Sox one more time.
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