Damon not the retiring type
-
- February
- 21
Johnny Damon has a flair for the dramatic, both in how he plays and what he says.
Damon said earlier this week that he was contemplating retirement last season when he was given a three-day break from camp by Joe Torre. But when asked about his comments today, Damon admitted that “it never got that close.”
“I would have never done that to the team,” he said.
Damon now says he wants to play out the final two years of his deal (”Oh, absolutely,” he said.) with the Yankees and give them reason to keep him for one or two more years after that. He’s only 34.
Meanwhile, Johnny was thrilled that his wife Michelle posed in a bikini for Sports Illustrated.
“Did you see that?” he said. “I’m a lucky guy.”
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on Thursday, February 21st, 2008 at 11:00 am by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
That you are, Mr. Damon
day-um, Johnny.
The 2008 Yankees motto should be “Don’t Say - PLAY.”
A-Rod running his mouth about Pettitte, etc.
Damon running his mouth about retiring, etc.
Giambi running his mouth about supporting Pettitte, etc.
Don’t say - PLAY!
It can’t be any simpler than that.
I’m really sick of this off-the-field static and drama.
oh shut up, this is what they are period, love it or leave it no in between
I guess he exaggerated. Does the media expect him to issue an apology too?
Don’t say
The Marlins may be the team for you. As long as the Yankees are the Yankees and play in NY, there is going to be talking.
I don’t think anyone’s saying they’re not playing. In fact, with Girardi at the helm, no one’s going to be slacking off.
Look, if all the players shunned the media, they’d be dragged across the coals for being cold and aloof. Part of being a major leaguer is talking. If you don’t like it, I don’t really know what else to tell you.
Don’t Say-Play
I guess there should be a closed clubhouse and players should not respond to any of the reporters questions. Thats a good idea…
Also, for Johnny to be talking a lot is a big thing for him, because he was a stutterer as a kid and if you listen to him closely, you can hear him pronouncing some of his words carefully and slowly to try and combat that.
I don’t blame him about his wife. Those pictures are smoking hot!
I agree, they should revisit the “Loose Lips” policy.
Less is definitely more with the New York media because everything gets blown out of proportion. Self-deprecation is good. Jeter’s plain vanilla, but missteps are a rarity for him.
But you know the beat writers, they’re so clever that they even baited Alex into “mis-speaking” yesterday. J/K Pete.
If you don’t want to hear what players have to say, go follow a little league team.
Geez, some folks will find ANYTHING to complain about.
I like the players showing their personality. Acting as if everyday is the 7th Game of the World Series makes it guaranteed the team never sees the WS.
Baseball is not football. You have to play it loose and yes, sometimes even be a little goofy.
If you are expecting these guys to be wearing their game faces on February 21, you have no understanding of the game.
The looser team wins. Its as obvious in baseball as good pitching beats good hitting.
Look at past champions for proof.
Actually Alex misremebered how many times he was tested.
Hey Peter:
What kind of shape is Betemit in this Spring??
Can someone with more knowledge than me on the arbitration process explain to me this bit of info re the Ryan Howard hearings:
“Howard was represented by his agent, Casey Close. Houston Astros president Tal Smith, who represents many teams in these cases, handled the Phillies’ side”
How is it that another teams President represents the Phillies and based on the quote (from Baseball Biz) he represents other teams at these hearings.
SJ I think some bloggers use ST to get ready for the season too. If the past few months are any indication, they’ve heeded Girardi’s decree for off-season conditioning too. Not a single Igawa on the blog … including Sox trolls.
Good morning my second family,
I learned 2 things from watching the Michele video.
1.I will never have a problem with Damon not being in shape again. How can he go out and exercise with a wife at home that looks like that?
2.T.O. was wrong about Jeff Garcia being gay. Man does he have a nice trophy.
I knew i should have been a professional athlete. Oh well,whats the saying. Be thankful of what you have. Thanks.
Damon’s wife ain’t bad if you’re into the silicone look …
Damon’s wife ain’t bad if you’re into the silicone look …
best thing since slice peanut butter.
Meant slice bread and peanut butter..
mel,
What do you think about the Spurs getting Kurt Thomas? I like the trade. We get another big man to rebound and bang with Shaq.
Johnny is undoubtedly a VERY lucky man.
I read today that the Sox might trade Crisp to Oakland for Blanton. Is it just me or do the red sox always seem to get something for nothing? Maybe we should package a deal to get him for insurance. He’s 27 under 4 e.r.a. innings eater.
Michelle doesn’t look like she’s had implants, to me. She has a natural curve to–you know what? Never mind.
Just much too much airbrushing of the photos. I would love to see what her face really looks like.
Gayle,
Tal Smith is the “Godfather of Arbitration” from the team side of things.
He has owned a firm for years that specializes in representing teams against the players in arbitration.
He just got back into the biz in an administrative capacity with one team. His firm though is still going strong.
Way back when, I cut my teeth in the biz going up against him in some hearings. Teams still use his firm because they are very, very good.
The Howard Case was a landmark case for the owners and players.
The whole case turns on how you see Ryan Howard. Is he Albert Pujols or is he Arod?
This is from a salary, service time and production perspective.
Pujols signed a 7 year, 90 million dollar deal at, or around, Howard’s similar service time.
The Phillies argued Howard fits into the Pujols Model when determining his value and adjusted their offer accordingly.
Howard’s side argued that Howard fits the Arod model and adjusted their number (10 million) accordingly.
Its gets down to service time, value to your team, production and future projections.
Without bogging down the blog with the arguments from each side, this is a benchmark arbitration case. The owners really wanted to win this one because, with all the young players now making their mark in the game, they didn’t want them to hit 8 figures (which is the precdent this case sets) this early in their careers.
It affects the long term payrolls of every team in the game.
The fact the players won this one sets a new precedent for players with similar service time and numbers is a big deal.
It means that, when looking for a long term deal, Howard will use Arod and not Pujols when determining his value.
Its why I believe he won’t sign a long term deal with the Phillies unless they change their current stance.
They will be right back at the arbitration table next year, IMO.
To compare this to the Wang case is apples and oranges. You don’t compare pitchers with everyday players in arbitration.
Wang’s comparison was with Scott Kazmir, a player of similar (some might argue better) skills and service time.
Kazmir got 3.8 million from the Rays. The Yankees offer of 4 million demonstrated they weren’t “nickel and diming” Wang but, didn’t want to set an absurdly high new precedent for compensation for pitchers with Wang’s service time.
The Wang side thought differently. The arbitrator agreed with the Yankees.
SOS,
If the Red Sox could do that deal, they would do it.
Problem is, Billy Beane wants more than that for Blanton.
Just because a team wants to do something, doesn’t mean the other team rolls over.
With the winter Beane had, he isn’t giving Blanton away for nothing.
That deal won’t happen unless the Red Sox add other parts to it.
Plus, take Blanton out of Oakland, with its spacious foul territory, and he is nothing more than an average pitcher.
He’s nothing special.
SoS,
Headed out, but caught your Spurs question. Good move, but you gave up Brent Freaking Barry. Catch the big game last night? The Diesel looked better than expected.
Amen to SJ’s take on Blanton. Get him in Fenway, and his ERA would be almost as bad as mine at Fenway. And if anyone thinks Crisp is getting Blanton to Boston alone, I gotta a bridge to sell ya.
Knowing Beane, he’ll ask for (out of the gate, my guess) Ellsbury, Lester and Delcarmen.
After Theo hangs up on him, and calls back a week or two later, MAYBE they could do it for Crisp, Masterson and Lowrie. Does anyone really think Beane will just GIVE Blanton to the Sox? I don’t….
On the topic of the wholke shut up and play aspect— hey, it could be worse.
We could have a guy like Curt Schilling in camp, mouthing off, being confrontational, etc. As well as Crisp, with his whole play me or trade me act. Things could be much, much worse.
IMHO… Uh-oh, boss coming.. cya !!!!!
SJ: Thanks for the valuable info on the arbitration with Howard.
Kurt Thomas to SAS was ehh..a pro but the years of effectiveness is dwindling on SA. What I’m interested is how the Nets stoled decent players for Kidd, and what happens tonight.
Isiah is going to screw all of us remaining Knicks fans tonight. Thorn/Kiki are talking possible deals. Lebron may be happy after tonight rumor is he’s getting help soon. CP3 just got himself Mike James and Bonzi Wells what was Houston thinking ?
SJ–
Thanks for that info . I had heard the same thing that Howard’s side was looking at his career more like an AROD model. And that he had been held back in the organization in terms of when he came up because of the Tome log jam and that part of the problem the Phillies have is like you said he doesnt get to be a free agent until 2011 so they have 3 more years of this nonsense to look forward to and if he keeps producing like he has been unless they sign him to a deal he could be making much more than 10 each year if he wins. The Phillies traditionally with the exception of utley usually dont give big money long terms deals so it will be interesting to see how this progresses.
I also heard that it was the mother and father that are really pushing this in terms of comparing to Arod and not Puljous. Remember Howard has been with 3 different agents Casey Close being the most recent.
SJ: Thanks for your comment on how right now it’s about keeping it loose.
This is one of my favorite parts of the season. All the guys are together, but there’s no stress as to winning or losing a game, because even if they were being played right now, they don’t mean anything.
The goofiness lets us see not just the personality but the team’s chemistry as a whole, and I have to say I’m getting really good vibes from this bunch. Almost makes me glad they did next to nothing in the offseason (okay, aside from changing managers and resigning all their key FAs)
mel,
Didnt catch the game but Shaq looked like he had new life. I think the Lakers seem to firing on all cylinders and are the team to beat unless they continue to get hurt.
Brandon,
The trade that the Spurs did was with expiring contracts. We needed a big man in the middle that can rebound and play good defense. I think Thomas was one of few players that gave Duncan fits last year in the playoffs. Im glad hes on our side now.
As far the Nets, they got a steal with Harris and Diop. I think they might give teams problems if they make it in the playoffs.Knicks need to axe Isiah before any free agent would want to join them.
SJ44,
when do you see dellin betances making his major league debut? you were talking about austin jackson and tabata’s chances at making the team next year, i was just wondering your thoughts on betances’ timetable.
I answered this in the other thread.
Until we see how he holds up healthwise, its impossible to project Betances’ timetable.
He didn’t pitch much last year due to elbow issues. Supposedly, he is healthy now but, he has lost an entire year of development.
I would guess he starts the year again in Staten Island with the hope he can increase his innings load.
missed the end of the Nets game last night since tivo didn’t realize it went into overtime…
But i never realized Diop’s name is pronounced nothing like it’s spelled…
it’s pronounced as “Jop” and Marcus Williams made sure NJ and especially that Opie look alike coach know he can take over
I was impressed w/ Trenton Hassell’s defense he sure stepped it up, Boki has turned into a disappointment. The Nets did good but it was Chicago.
You guys hear that the last regular season game at the Stadium is sold out. The bastards didn’t leave any seats for the general sale and now the scalpers are going to have a field day!
http://mypinstripes.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Screw%20Job
they were going to have a field day anyway, Drew.
SJ, you always delivers the goods. Thanks.
Drew: the last game of any season sells out a lot. This one was gonna sell out faster because it’s the last one ever.
Andrea, I don’t remember it ever selling out before tickets went on sale to the general public.
I’m sure they held back some tickets. I hope they did. My friend has a partial plan and the last game is part of it, I was going to have her buy me a ticket to it, but because it was part of the plan she wasn’t allowed to.
I am sure they held back some as they are also holding a drawing that you have to register for on yankees.com for premium tickets which the last game is part of. I am sure what has sold out is just those tickets they held back for partial season ticket holderspre sale.
You know what would have been cool? If they auctioned off some of those tickets for charity or something.
Drew: but didn’t they sell out real quick once they did go on sale? I seem to remember that being the case. Now people anticipate others wanting tickets, so jerks bought them up so they can make money off them.
The Stadium should set up seats in the black section of the bleachers or something, just for this one game.
gayle beat me to posting it…
i just registered…
Andrea, the general sale hasn’t even occurred yet though. If you didn’t buy a ticket plan you had no chance of getting them. I think that wasn’t fair of the Yankees to do.
You do realize more tickets will free up right before the game, right?
And why the bloody heck is it snowing again Grah. I’ve had enough of this powdery white stuff!
Is Mark Melancon in camp? I have no idea what he looks like. Can someone provide a link to a picture (circa Feb. 2008) of him ?
We are supposed to get snow tomorrow, not sure how much.
I agree I hope they sell the “black” seats for the last game, hand out black shirts. Solves problem.
Drew: I meant in years past. I know the general sale hasn’t started yet.
Rebecca: not necessarily. Everyone with a season ticket package has tickets to this one, and everyone had the opportunity to buy more tickets. If it’s sold out, it might be sold out.
Jennifer: they could make everyone wear black masks too. It’ll be in September…it could be cold enough.
Andrea From my understanding those who already had tickets to that game did not get a chance to buy tickets to the last game.
Drew I will say it again there are still tickets available for the last game for the general public. How many I cannot tell you but you have to register on yankees.com to get a chance to get them.
Like other major events and I will give you an example of a concert there are always tickets held back for various reasons. For music concerts a number are held back for the artist, some are held back for the promoter, some are held back for various pre sales. They then hold some back for the general on sale.
Will there be a lot of tickets I doubt it but they need to take care of the long term customers who support them first. ie Full Season ticket plans take a certain amount automatically, certain holiday pack plans that game was included, the Sunday partial ticket plan already has that game included so before it even went on sale to the rest of the partial plan holders many were already gone. Also remember you had to be a tenured partial plan holder not someone who just bought it this year. So they held back X amount for those people.
Now as a partial season ticket holder do I feel like I should get an chance before the general public absolutely that is one of the benefits of being a plan holder.
With this last game there is no way that everyone will be satisfied. Also fyi it is now LEGAL to scalp your tickets online on places like stubhub and in fact MLB has aq deal with Stub Hub where they get a percentage of the sale.
Jennifer: I think certain ticket plans were allowed to get tickets.
Jennifer you are correct if your ticket plan ALREADY included the last game you were NOT allowed to particpate in the pre sale and buy additional tickets. Herre is the specific language from the site.
Please note, Full Season, A Plan and C Plan Ticket Licensees are not eligible for the “Ticket Licensee Scheduled Final Regular Season Game Pre-On-Sale” because these Ticket License Plans include the Final Regular Season Game,* which is scheduled for Sunday, September 21, 2008.
That’s true …I have the Sunday plan and it’s already included in my package so I wasn’t allowed to go into a pre-sale for the final game of the season.
I also have Opening Day and Old Timer’s Day in the Sunday package. I have decent seats too …it was a good deal !!!
The general sale for the public is on Friday, February 29th. I’m sure there won’t be that many tickets as they distribute them for all the different sales and pre-sales.
Go Yankees 2008 !!!!
Andrea: I know. I’m referring to day of, when people might get sick or have to go on a business trip or similar such things, in which case the tickets would probably be made available for a price.
Not to change the subject but it’s not just Yankees who should learn to be quiet…EX-YANKEES too!!
Our boy is doing JUST fine!
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BBO_SHEFFIELD_BORAS?SITE=1010WINS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
I love when Shef begins to lose his mind.
Its annual rite of Spring.
Always enjoy his threats to go postal when it doesn’t get his way.
Leyland must be loving this.
Shef bein’ Shef again! lol
Rebecca: Illnesses and business trips wouldn’t keep REAL fans away from the last game at the Stadium!
Oh, does that bring back memories…
God I hope the last home game in the Stadium is not be Sept. 21st 2008. I was thinking some time in late October!
Jennifer, Do they actually have seats (or bleachers) in the ‘black’ section? i always thought it was kind of like a set of stairs painted black…
SJ44 on Sheff: hilarious!
thanks SJ44! looks like i gotta grab me some SI Yanks tickets, then…
saucY:
They are seats but usually just used for concerts. They may sell them for the All Star Game and/or ALDS, ALCS, WS but I’m not sure.
The annual rites of spring…..
Freshly cut infield grass in the morning…..
The crack of the bats, as players take infield, BP, etc….
Sitting in the sun, workin’ on your tan, and enjoying a morning workout…..
Watching all the high numbered kids in camp and trying to figure out who everybody is…..
Columnists predicting Yankee doom and distractions…..
Arod sayin’ something dumb……
Some Yankee fans begging for trades for washed up players and wanting the team to eat 50 million in salaries for players they don’t like……..
Shef threatening someone in order to get what he wants. Usually, either more money or to keep from paying someone….
Just a few things that make me realize the baseball season is upon us.
SJ44:
Stein (Big or Little) flappin’ his lip.
Cashman receiving his first shipment of espresso laced No-Doze.
Stan’s SPort’s Bar and Ball Park Lanes Bar wiping down the counters for the first (and last) time this year.
Jeter with another hottie.
And the guys outside Penn Station FINALLY selling a shirt or a cap I’d consider buying.
Amen brother!
Clay I would love it if the Yanks shunned the media for the year/ an entire year. What are they gonna do, not cover the Yankees?
‘Guess I struck a nerve in some of you.
Brandon you shut up. Pat you follow the Marlins. SJ44 you follow a little league team and who died and left you one to tell anyone they don’t have an understanding of the game? The problem with the Yanks the last few years is they don’t have their gamefaces on on 2/21. I’m sure if you were a Yankee and point blank told Girardi you don’t have to have your gameface on 2/21, he’d tear you a new one, so actually it’s YOU who doesn’t have an understanding of the game. Stick to your endless ramblings on A and AA pitchers.
The Yanks just came off another embarassing first round exit last fall. Their should not be talking bullsh it which A-Rod, Damon, and Giambi have been doing lately. Good for you you didn’t take steroids last year, A-Rod -I should hope you didn’t. Good for you didn’t retire, Damon, 2006 and 2007 are over, it’s 2008 now and you have two years left on your contract. Good for you you’re gonna support your teammate Pettitte, Giambi -now go have a full season and finish with a batting average over .270 you fat load. All of you should just shut up and play. Pettitte-Clemens is a big enough distraction, the last thing the team needs is one of its star players (A-Rod) almost daring people to find something on him, a guy talking about retirement in any context, and an admitted cheater (Giambi) saying how he’ll support a fellow cheater (Pettitte).
Looks like “Chris” has taken on yet another new name. But, sadly, still not takin’ his meds.
Actually “Chris”, I have talked to Girardi. He said the same thing to me he has told the team AND the media.
Take it slow and nobody is winning a job on February 21. Don’t believe me? Just go back and listen to Pete’s interviews with him. You can hear it from his own mouth. Several times, in fact.
So no, he won’t tear anybody a new one because they don’t have their “gamefaces” on February 21.
What you can’t seem to grasp is, baseball isn’t football. What you want from your team right now is for them to be in condition. That’s it.
The Yankees aren’t in good condition right now. They are in GREAT condition. That’s actually good news.
Everything else? You GRADUALLY ease into as the spring progresses.
Its why pitchers don’t go full bore on the first day of spring and why everything they do on the field is to build up to the start of the season.
So, yes, chill out and look to learn a little something about the game.
No matter how many new names you use, you still don’t learn anything about the game. Its a shame, really because a little less anger and little more openmindedness, and you could actually learn something on this blog.
Ant,
Great list, with one exception….
“Jeter with another hottie”….
Strictly an off-season activity!
You absolute liar. Girardi told you no such thing. Cite where he told the media the Yanks don’t have to have their gamefaces on from the get-go. If he says they don’t, this team is going nowhere cuz it starts from the top which he is field-wise. B.t.w. gameface means INTENSITY, I know full well they don’t play actual games until a few days from now, so please.
They should have their gamefaces on 2/21. If they don’t, the culture is already established: take it easy. That’s the problem, and look where it’s got them since you haven’t been really watching them: embarassing first round exits 2002, 2005-07 and an epic collapse 2004. They even looked like garbage in the 2001 World Series until B-Kim gave them new life in Games 4 and 5.
They should be in great condition coming into s.t. considering they’re off from playing baseball and have all the time in the world to be in good condition 10/? until spring training starts. They’re making millions of dollars to be at their best. That’s part of their jobs and the worse they’re in shape cominng into s.t., the worse a job they’re doing unless they make up for it with an average or better season. I guess you condoned Damon being out of shape last year and since you wanna cite sources, here’s a source who said Damon was out of shape: Cashman.
No multiple names used by me, you need to get a real name, drop the megalomania, and realize there are people on here who won’t worship you, and I’m one of them. B.t.w. what’s your first name “SJ”? I post under mine.
Listen to Girardi’s interviews Pete posted on this blog. That’s my second source for discussing what Girardi is looking for from the team this season.
Its quite simple. You can hear it from his own lips.
Its the same stuff he said to me in December when I saw him, and he spoke about the team.
I actually wrote about my conversation with him in this blog after it took place.
So, absolute liar? Nope, not even close.
If you are going to act like a little punk, expect to be treated like one.
He wants the team to ease into it. He has said it everyday since the spring started.
You are so angry? Why? You do realize the Yankees can’t win the World Series every year.
You act as if this team has stolen money from you.
No, I didn’t like Damon being out of shape last year.
But, I also don’t it deserves lifetime hate, as you seem to think.
Mistakes were made by a lot of players AND the organization last year. Marty Miller being foremost amongst them..
Yet, it seems they have learned from their mistakes and are moving forward. You should probably do the same.
Gayle, do you work in the ticket office?
SJ44:
I forgot something else…the trolls grow new warts and emerge from the cave. My bad.
Yup!! It’s the new season!!!!
Damon has an attractive wife.