12/21/24
April 14, 2006
Damon Hits Fan, Hits Dinger: After losing his bat and smacking a fan, Johnny Damon hits his first homer as a Yankee, then receives a curtain call from Yanks fans. A curtain call? For hitting an insurance homer in the eighth inning of a 6-2 game? Against the Royals? I sincerely hope the curtain call doesn't become as trite and annoying as Freddie Mitchell celebrating a six-yard first down catch in the second quarter.
posted by The_Black_Hand to baseball at 08:53 AM - 50 comments
Faithful to their players. That's why Damon got a decent smattering of boos on opening day.
posted by jerseygirl at 09:39 AM on April 14, 2006
we is a fickle lot.
posted by goddam at 09:43 AM on April 14, 2006
Damon's a sellout. Case closed.
posted by shaykeno at 09:47 AM on April 14, 2006
Damon's a sellout. Case closed.
But then again, the years of being faithful to a team and viceversa are well over.
Look at what happened with Arroyo! The guy was willing to take a pay cut to stay, but they still traded him. I may be a Red Sox fan, but I wouldn't go after Damon for taking the big money and being part of what is not a bad team either. Can't blame him, specially after the fidelity demonstrated by his previous owners.
BTW, a lil off topic.. but Arroyo is way up in the HR count with respect to Peņa.... how ībout that, ehh!
posted by zippinglou at 09:53 AM on April 14, 2006
If only Boston had kept Arroyo, managed to work him into every lineup as a DH and as they faced Glendon Rusch 162 games a year... If only!
posted by jerseygirl at 10:01 AM on April 14, 2006
maybe those boos on opening day were from Boston fans at the NY game??? eh?
posted by bluekarma at 10:01 AM on April 14, 2006
i can't wait to hear the boos when the yanks come to fenway for the first time.
posted by gosox04 at 10:04 AM on April 14, 2006
Damon's a sellout. Case closed. Was Damon a sellout when he signed with the Red Sox in 2002? Were Bill Mueller, Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling sellouts? Sheesh.
posted by rcade at 10:04 AM on April 14, 2006
Black_Hand, why do you care what yankee fans do at yankee stadium? is a curtain call really worthy of an FPP?
posted by goddam at 10:04 AM on April 14, 2006
Damon's a sellout. Case closed. Meh. I don't feel as sour-grapes about it as you do. At first I think I was a bit less analytical, but with time and space between the signings of Damon and Crisp, you have to look at it a bit less emotionally. I see a young kid like Crisp, I see what he can do and has done, and I know what they are paying for him in Boston for the next 4 and think it's all good. Don't give up on Coco. He won't be Damon, but he will impress you.
posted by jerseygirl at 10:10 AM on April 14, 2006
Let Damon fall into a prolonged slump and we'll see how loyal the Yankee faithful are... Look at the grief Giambi was getting when he was struggling.
posted by mjkredliner at 10:11 AM on April 14, 2006
Black_Hand, why do you care what yankee fans do at yankee stadium? is a curtain call really worthy of an FPP? To be fair, goddam, he had this in the lockerroom and it got moved to the front page. He also said something about the curtain call being one of his favorite things in baseball, blah blah, and then he said he thinks I'm all that and a bag of chips and wants to buy me diamonds, Coach bags and a house in Nantucket. I'm a bit hazy about the last part, but clear on the first part about the curtain call.
posted by jerseygirl at 10:12 AM on April 14, 2006
I once met a girl from Nantucket. In college in Rochester, NY. The fact we were both from Rhode Island and lived less than 30 minutes from each other and now also lived on the same floor and I was available held her attention for like ten seconds. It's ok. I've never been to Nantucket, Block Island or Martha's Vineyard and I don't plan to, so she was going to be heart-broken anyway.
posted by yerfatma at 10:22 AM on April 14, 2006
Was Damon a sellout when he signed with the Red Sox in 2002? Were Bill Mueller, Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling sellouts? Sheesh. I'm not sure what you are getting at here. Curt Schilling has never signed a contract with any team except the one he was on the previous season. He's never jumped ship from one team to another by his own choice.
- January 14, 1986: Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 2nd round of the 1986 amateur draft.
- July 29, 1988: Traded by the Boston Red Sox with Brady Anderson to the Baltimore Orioles for Mike Boddicker.
- January 10, 1991: Traded by the Baltimore Orioles with Steve Finley and Pete Harnisch to the Houston Astros for Glenn Davis.
- April 2, 1992: Traded by the Houston Astros to the Philadelphia Phillies for Jason Grimsley.
- July 26, 2000: Traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Omar Daal, Nelson Figueroa, Travis Lee, and Vicente Padilla.
- November 28, 2003: Traded by the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Boston Red Sox for Casey Fossum, Brandon Lyon, Jorge de la Rosa, and Michael Goss (minors).
posted by grum@work at 10:29 AM on April 14, 2006
I'll use this thread to comment that my first and only trip to Yankee Stadium was two years ago today where my future wife bought space on the billboard in right center (I think). More in the last part of my profile for those interested. My wife being a Yankee fan...she gets all wrapped up in these seemingly nothing stories about the pinstripes (exactly how many players can claim to hit their first homer as a Yankee? Must be like 1.37 million or something...ok, so being an ex-Red Sox narrows the list to around 947,000) Anyway...at least she was pulling for the Astros after the Yankees were dumped from the playoffs last year. We're moving from NY back to Texas in about 3 weeks and if my lovely wife continues to pull for Houston, I will consider my work here done. :-)
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 10:32 AM on April 14, 2006
goddam, jerseygirl does indeed speak with non-forked tongue. I orginally posted this in the locker room, and stated within the text, "I didn't think this was worthy of a FPP," or something chillingly similar. Of course, I do think jersey's all that and a bag of chips, and if I had the budget, I'd cover her with diamonds, buy her a house in Nantucket, and some very stylish Coach bags made from the flesh of animals I myself had slain at her whim. And, for what it's worth, I still think you're a badass for refusing medical treatment for the sake of the game. Way cool.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 10:47 AM on April 14, 2006
thanks for the clarification, jg. in defense of this apparently offensive curtain call, i have agree with crembrulee. it's a "first dinger in pinstripes" thing. he's not going to get one for every home run. (unless the rest of his home runs happen come at crucial points in the game.) as for whether yankee fans have accepted damon entirely, of course not everyone has. although there were definitely more cheers than boos on tuesday. it's a combination of who he played for and who he's replacing. bernie is one of the most beloved yankees of my lifetime. even though he's nowhere near the player he was, fans don't care. he's still our bernie. i wouldn't be surprised if bernie gets a curtain call for every home run he hits at the stadium, no matter how insignificant it is. that's just how it's going to be this year. so it offends you, i'd suggest not reading any new york newspapers the next day. on preview: thanks black_hand.
posted by goddam at 10:50 AM on April 14, 2006
I too was a little surprised at the curtain call for a meaningless homer - but love or hate 'em, Yankee fans are aware of the significance of everything that happens with their team. First homer as a Yankee is a big deal to them. It's joining the fraternity. Damon seemed quite pleased at the gesture, too.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:59 AM on April 14, 2006
sorry i got a little snippy, black_hand. now that baseball has started up again, 'tis the season for me get defensive about all things yankee.
posted by goddam at 11:05 AM on April 14, 2006
I think he deserved a curtain call- most notable signings the Yankees make have some kind of recognition after their first big hit, why shouldn't he?
posted by redsoxrgay at 11:09 AM on April 14, 2006
I sincerely hope the curtain call doesn't become as trite and annoying Too late! The curtain call has indeed become the reward for an act of mediocrity. In the old days only your third home run of a game would merit the encore appearance. Now Cards fans do it for every guy, every homer.
posted by vito90 at 11:21 AM on April 14, 2006
I once met a girl from Nantucket. Was her dad THE MAN from Nantucket? If so, I've heard a lot about him.
posted by YukonGold at 11:46 AM on April 14, 2006
Curt Schilling has never signed a contract with any team except the one he was on the previous season. Wow. I had no idea that Schilling never switched teams in free agency. That's pretty odd for a guy who's been on so many teams. However, he orchestrated the Red Sox move and had to waive a no-trade clause in the process. He took direct action to get out of Arizona, so he could be accused of selling out just as much as Damon in the move to New York. I think the term's laughable when applied to pro athletes. Why are players called sellouts for chasing better salaries when owners regularly dump players in salary-related moves?
posted by rcade at 12:07 PM on April 14, 2006
Was her dad THE MAN from Nantucket? If so, I've heard a lot about him. It's just as well she never brought me home to meet the 'rents. That would be a shitload of pressure re: what to say. Avoid every word that ends in "ucket"? Declaim the collected works of Ogden Nash as you cross the threshold? I suppose if they were standing outside with a bucket in had, you'd know how to play it. On preview: rcade, I was going to say the same thing. The Diamondbacks might have traded Schilling, but it was a fait accompli at that point. And good on any player for finding a better deal in the limited time they have, unless it adversely affects a team I root for. Then they are fuckers of the first degree.
posted by yerfatma at 12:10 PM on April 14, 2006
I once met a girl from Nantucket. In college in Rochester, NY. The fact we were both from Rhode Island and lived less than 30 minutes from each other and now also lived on the same floor and I was available held her attention for like ten seconds. That is, hands down, the worst limerick I have ever read. I still think you're a badass for refusing medical treatment for the sake of the game. Unquestionable. tis the season for me get defensive about all things yankee. They're just jealous. (Runs from ensuing riot.)
posted by BullpenPro at 12:13 PM on April 14, 2006
He'll always be an IDIOT to me
posted by im050483 at 12:31 PM on April 14, 2006
goddam: 'Sno problem, yer one of the good ones. After all, it's not like this place is going to devolve into a big Yankee - Red Sox "you suck" pissing match during the season, or anything like that. /ducks and covers
posted by The_Black_Hand at 01:44 PM on April 14, 2006
Damon is not a sellout. He just the modern day player who has no loyalty except to the almighty dollar. All sports have turned into a traveling circus. When the money is better somewhere else they pick up their tents and move one. They might come back if the money offered is more than their getting for leaving in the first place. Remember one Fred Lynne who stated he wanted to back to leave Boston for California to be closer to his family? Then he proceeded to sign with BALTIMORE!!! Did Fred have a problem with geography????
posted by joromu at 03:24 PM on April 14, 2006
If they want to curtain call let them,they paid enough for there tickets. Its a game for crying out loud!!!
posted by Norcalifun530 at 03:28 PM on April 14, 2006
Were Bill Mueller, Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling sellouts? Sheesh. Considering your later clarification, I understand the underlying principle you were going for here - but I don't think ANY of these examples really prove your point. Bill Mueller wasn't resigned because the Red Sox had to take on the Mike Lowell contract to get Josh Beckett. How could they bench Lowell when he was making so much money? Hence, they didn't resign Mueller and he signed elsewhere. Sox fans miss him but we needed another arm. As has been shown, Schilling has never signed a big free-agent contract. There's a HUGE difference between wanting to get out of an ill-fated rebuilding project in Arizona and onto a competitive team, and leaving one competitive team for its rival solely to recieve more compensation. I don't think it's a fair comparison. Finally, anybody who would consider Damon a sellout would consider Pedro a sellout, as the situations are more or less analogous. So I don't know if it really works in service of your argument. I don't really dispute your underlying argument, rcade, but you probably would have been better off just making the point off the top, instead of going for the clever retort. Plus, after you were overcome by hubris and claimed the Jaguars were gonna beat the Pats in the playoffs, New Englanders are on your case for good.
posted by Venicemenace at 03:49 PM on April 14, 2006
Damon's history of "loyalty": Left Kansas City for more money with Oakland Left Oakland for more money with Boston Left Boston for more money with New York Left his wife for more ... (OK, low blow I know) As a Sox fan, I can honestly say if we didn't see him leaving for the most money available we were only fooling ourselves. BTW - How can you not love a guy named Coco?
posted by catching88 at 04:17 PM on April 14, 2006
Left his wife for more ... (OK, low blow I know) You clearly didn't read his literary masterpiece. His ex-wife practically forced him to cheat! Dur! We're all sellouts. If you were a contract worker, and your contract was approaching completion and an employer sought you out throwing more money, better benefits, a better commute, a better working arrangement at you... you'd definitely consider it, right? Yeah me too.
posted by jerseygirl at 04:29 PM on April 14, 2006
You have all missed the point. He was traded to make him shave and get a decent haircut. At least he shaved. /cue rimshot/ Thanks folks, I'll be here all week. Try the veal.
posted by THX-1138 at 04:50 PM on April 14, 2006
who wants to tell THX that Damon wasn't traded?
posted by jerseygirl at 05:33 PM on April 14, 2006
I will as soon as I finish the veal.
posted by wingnut4life at 06:00 PM on April 14, 2006
I was trying to make a funny. Sorry it flopped so badly. I will try to word my jokes in a more appropriate manner. I shall now slink off having been given the what for.
posted by THX-1138 at 06:11 PM on April 14, 2006
The veal was dry, too. This place sucks.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 06:16 PM on April 14, 2006
But the replies were funny, THX. And we owe it all to you.
posted by jerseygirl at 07:07 PM on April 14, 2006
After all, it's not like this place is going to devolve into a big Yankee - Red Sox "you suck" pissing match during the season, or anything like that International terminal, Sydney (Australia) airport, February 2006. Waiting in line at the domestic transfer desk. A guy with a Yankees cap is struggling with his bags. Two American guys next to me start giving him hell about the Red Sox, and laughing at his struggle. The guy with the Yankees cap looks up, says 'What are you on about?' in a broad Aussie accent. Turns out he bought the cap at a second hand shop and didn't even know what the symbol on the front meant.
posted by owlhouse at 07:50 PM on April 14, 2006
If they had killed him after that, I'd still be ok with it.
posted by yerfatma at 07:56 PM on April 14, 2006
Left Kansas City for more money with Oakland Left Oakland for more money with Boston Left Boston for more money with New York Left his wife for more ... (OK, low blow I know) Not quite right. Damon went from KC to Oakland in a big 3-team deal. January 8, 2001: Traded as part of a 3-team trade. The Kansas City Royals sent Johnny Damon and Mark Ellis to the Oakland Athletics. The Oakland Athletics sent Ben Grieve to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Oakland Athletics sent Angel Berroa and A.J. Hinch to the Kansas City Royals. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays sent Cory Lidle to the Oakland Athletics. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays sent Roberto Hernandez to the Kansas City Royals.
posted by grum@work at 08:15 PM on April 14, 2006
Really vito? Are you sure? You are obviously just spouting second "knowledge" or media impressions because we don't curtain call every homerun. But we do have a "mediocre" NL MVP who seems to hit a bunch of them and we do show our appreciation.
posted by cardsfan at 08:40 PM on April 14, 2006
Left Oakland for more money with Boston Left Boston for more money with New York Have I got this right? Boston fans loved Damon, even though he went to BOSTON for more money, but despise him for going to NY for more money. So, is it the MORE MONEY part that they dislike, or the going to NY that they don't like?
posted by drevl at 08:51 PM on April 14, 2006
I don't mind either way. The guy moved on for more money. I think he made the right call. I think the Sox did too. They got asimilar (or better) player for much less money over the same period.
posted by yerfatma at 08:54 PM on April 14, 2006
I wish I could be a sell-out for Damon-like dollars. And I bet any of you would too.
posted by Bill Lumbergh at 09:07 PM on April 14, 2006
Considering your later clarification, I understand the underlying principle you were going for here ... Not really. I was talking about how those players came to Boston. If you think Damon's a sellout for chasing money to New York, how did you feel when the Red Sox acquired the free agents who had chased money to Boston? Turnabout is fair play. As for the Jaguars-Patriots, I underestimated the effect of touchdowns on the outcome of a playoff game.
posted by rcade at 09:09 PM on April 14, 2006
Aha! And now my brain begins to function. It's true that the Sox benefit from "sell-out" players as much as anyone else - Manny Ramirez is probably your best example there.
posted by Venicemenace at 03:06 AM on April 15, 2006
Heck! I'm a sell out!
Just got offered a miserable 10 grand more in another school, and I'm not thinking it twice..... of course, that represents a 30% improvement in my salary..... but I guess that makes me a sell out, too!
posted by zippinglou at 07:58 AM on April 15, 2006
..... but I guess that makes me a sell out, too! Don't forget your curtain call!
posted by wingnut4life at 08:12 AM on April 15, 2006
Despite the unnervingly close look I had at the old man who was hit in the shoulder by Johnny Damon's hit at the game yesterday, it didn't take away from the fact that it was his first career home run with the Yankees. I don't think it would've mattered if they were playing the Red Sox or the Devil Rays in this case, but just that it was his first and it should be remembered. In fact, Kelly Stinnett, the catcher who was also newly acquired, had his first hit with the Yankees, and despite only being a single, the hit obtained a huge applause and excitement, with Joe Torre saving the ball. So as closing, whether Johnny Damon is hitting it out of the park or Kelly Stinnett is just hitting singles, the Yanks fans will stay faithful to their players, supporting them. Kay?