Don't Call It A Comeback...
You didn't think I could just watch JD leave, and not say anything about it, could you?
This most recent news has inspired me to make a very much overdue post on the Citgo Sign. I think there is a key component about the Yankee's new free agent signing that the nation is overlooking very much, Johnny Damon isn't a smart guy. I said it. Big whoop, wanna fight about it? He's not a guy who is purposly trying to screw over an entire fanbase by "committing acts of treason", as one Boston sports-radio caller put it. Put it this way. Say your dad has a job, a good job, and has brought his company to new levels and made history by having the best year of revenue of all time. Now lets say another company comes along and wants his services, and offers more money than his old company was willing to give. If he takes the new offer, are you going to blame him? I definately wouldn't. You can make the case, "Well why isn't 10 million a year good enough for him, he's so selfish for wanting another 3 million per year." When your father turns down and extra 25% salary per year, you can make that claim, until then, keep you rmouth shut. Baseball, as with all sports is a business. It is a multi-billion dollar business at that, and a player who has the ability to put fans in the seats, as Johnny Damon can do, who is going to keep revenue at your ballpark up deserves a cut of the money that he is earning for you. It's as simple as that.
This brings up my second point. If I rated every single major league front office, I would definately have the Red Sox, as their management is right now, in the bottom five. HOW CAN YOU LET A FRANCHISE PLAYER GO TO A HATED DIVISION RIVAL FOR A MERE 3 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR EXTRA ON THE SECOND HIGHEST PAYROLL IN BASEBALL?? How? What are you going to do with that extra 3 mil? Give it to Alex Cora so he can suck it up at shortstop? Get another mediocre, over-the-hill, past-his-prime reliever? AND WHY NOT ADD AN OPTION FOR ANOTHER YEAR...INT HE LONG RUN THAT SAVES YOU 2 MILLION DOLLARS? He's a leadoff hitter, not a power slugger. If Rickey Henderson was able to play til he was 142 years old, i think damon will last until hes 36-37. Johnny Damon was EASILY the most recognizable player on a team filled with superstars. He has his own book out for god's sakes. Personally, like I said before I don't blame Johnny Damon. Lets go back to my example. Would you want to stay at the job who wouldn't pay you that relatively little extra, just to keep you with them? I HIGHLY doubt it. The Red Sox brass may be the most incompetant bunch of "smart people" who have ever run a team. Ever. Letting go of Renteria after a year. Why'd you sign him in the first place? AND you only get a prospect in return? C'mon Larry, and now this?
Good thing Lucchino drove Theo out of town. With a few exceptions, He was probably the most beloved GM in Boston Sports History, and the best. Sure he made some mistakes, but wasn't bringing a title to the most tortured city in baseball h istory enough for Larry Lucchino to take a step back? He's turning into the Jerry Jones of baseball. And look waht that did for the Cowboys.
So in closing...I don't blame Johnny, He's worth the extra 3 mil or at least another year, and I hate Larry Lucchino
-Nick
This most recent news has inspired me to make a very much overdue post on the Citgo Sign. I think there is a key component about the Yankee's new free agent signing that the nation is overlooking very much, Johnny Damon isn't a smart guy. I said it. Big whoop, wanna fight about it? He's not a guy who is purposly trying to screw over an entire fanbase by "committing acts of treason", as one Boston sports-radio caller put it. Put it this way. Say your dad has a job, a good job, and has brought his company to new levels and made history by having the best year of revenue of all time. Now lets say another company comes along and wants his services, and offers more money than his old company was willing to give. If he takes the new offer, are you going to blame him? I definately wouldn't. You can make the case, "Well why isn't 10 million a year good enough for him, he's so selfish for wanting another 3 million per year." When your father turns down and extra 25% salary per year, you can make that claim, until then, keep you rmouth shut. Baseball, as with all sports is a business. It is a multi-billion dollar business at that, and a player who has the ability to put fans in the seats, as Johnny Damon can do, who is going to keep revenue at your ballpark up deserves a cut of the money that he is earning for you. It's as simple as that.
This brings up my second point. If I rated every single major league front office, I would definately have the Red Sox, as their management is right now, in the bottom five. HOW CAN YOU LET A FRANCHISE PLAYER GO TO A HATED DIVISION RIVAL FOR A MERE 3 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR EXTRA ON THE SECOND HIGHEST PAYROLL IN BASEBALL?? How? What are you going to do with that extra 3 mil? Give it to Alex Cora so he can suck it up at shortstop? Get another mediocre, over-the-hill, past-his-prime reliever? AND WHY NOT ADD AN OPTION FOR ANOTHER YEAR...INT HE LONG RUN THAT SAVES YOU 2 MILLION DOLLARS? He's a leadoff hitter, not a power slugger. If Rickey Henderson was able to play til he was 142 years old, i think damon will last until hes 36-37. Johnny Damon was EASILY the most recognizable player on a team filled with superstars. He has his own book out for god's sakes. Personally, like I said before I don't blame Johnny Damon. Lets go back to my example. Would you want to stay at the job who wouldn't pay you that relatively little extra, just to keep you with them? I HIGHLY doubt it. The Red Sox brass may be the most incompetant bunch of "smart people" who have ever run a team. Ever. Letting go of Renteria after a year. Why'd you sign him in the first place? AND you only get a prospect in return? C'mon Larry, and now this?
Good thing Lucchino drove Theo out of town. With a few exceptions, He was probably the most beloved GM in Boston Sports History, and the best. Sure he made some mistakes, but wasn't bringing a title to the most tortured city in baseball h istory enough for Larry Lucchino to take a step back? He's turning into the Jerry Jones of baseball. And look waht that did for the Cowboys.
So in closing...I don't blame Johnny, He's worth the extra 3 mil or at least another year, and I hate Larry Lucchino
-Nick
posted by Nick at 3:27 PM
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