Here Comes Johnny

Cheer Johnny Damon. That?s what I?ll be doing.

If you want to boo anyone, boo the front office. Corner Theo Epstein near the hot dog stand and pelt him with Fenway Franks and squeeze spicy mustard down his pants. Send Larry Lucchino a profanity-laced e-mail explaining how much the sight of Johnny Damon in centerfield for the next four years would result in three championships. Or simply murder Kevin Millwood, because it’s his fault the front office was negotiating with him when Damon was wavering in the pool of free agency.

We could have had Johnny Damon. He was waiting for the call from Theo Epstein, he was willing to accept the middle-of-the-road balance on any contract, in this case 46 million over 4 years. Hell, there aren?t even any signs pointing that if, and I say if, the front office makes it prominently clear they are longing for Damon to be a Red Sox for life, he would have signed for 40 million. But all the boys in the box did was put out a final contract offer and let other teams have their negotiations. With the Yankees desperate for a centerfielder, the signing was inevitable. And fans are going to boo a guy for joining a team that wanted him, for more money, a team that happened to be the New York Yankees, a club laced with winning tradition? I don?t see the reason.

If I were Johnny Damon, I would have done the exact same thing. In one closet, you have the most winning franchise in American sports, a team that?s been calling you all summer hoping you join their team, nice guys like Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, a team offering 12 million more dollars, a team that will always be competitive every year with George Steinbrenner at the helm and 200 million dollars. In the other closet, you have a team already negotiating with other centerfielders about trades and playing in Boston, a team more ready to sign Kevin Freakin Millwood than you, a team that is offering 12 million dollars less, a team basically hoping you do the right thing. I mean, what would you do?

Screw loyalty. This is a matter of betrayal on the part of the Boston front office, not Damon. Don?t be talking to the Indians about Coco Crisp so vehemently if Damon is your number one priority. Don?t allow your arch division rival, the Yankees, to sweep in and sign the heart and soul of the team when you KNOW they need a centerfielder. Fans, don?t be angry at Damon, be angry at the front office.

As for me? You know I’m not mad at Damon. But I’m also not mad at Theo. Why? Because I agree with letting Damon go.

Coco Crisp was a better decision for a cheaper price at a younger age, there?s no doubt about it. The Yankees are the team that can always afford to sign these contracts, but the Red Sox are on a budget, whether it be a large one or not. Having to pay Johnny 12+ million in 2009 might put a stranglehold on the team?s payroll. So, basically the only people who should really be booing Damon tomorrow night are the ones that wanted him to be retained. If you agree with the Crisp signing, then why are you mad?

What’s the point?

Also, try to recognize all of his accomplishments in Boston. He was the heart and soul of the Red Sox for four outstanding years in the club?s history. We made the playoffs three of four years, and in 2004, Damon had 6 RBI in Game 7 of the ALCS to defeat New York at Yankee Stadium. You might remember. He had the game-winning gallop against Oakland in 2004, the game-winning double against Los Angeles in 2005, he scored the run on Papi?s bloop in Game 5, he led off the World Series clinching game with a home run?countless memories during the Damon Era. Try to appreciate his hard work while representing Boston.

I might boo Michelle, though. She’s bothersome.