Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Is Jonny going, going, gone?

In a word, yes. He'll talk about how much he loves Boston and wants to end his career here and so on and so forth, while taking a tour of NY, LA, Chicago, Anahiem, etc... And in the end, he'll be heading somewhere else. The truth is, the are no longer going to be the high bidders in these sorts of games. They've decided that they are no longer going to pay out the nose, even for the "stars", of which Damon is not, although he thinks he is. I mean was anyone really surprised to hear about (or see on TV) "Johnny's last supper" artwork over his fireplace?

Will I be sorry to see him go? You bet. He's a great, steady lead off man with a lot of steals, which makes him a big threat on the bases. His defensive ability is above average, and who doesn't love watching him dive after the balls with aggression and style in center field? But in the end, he'll be another player lost to free agency and although it's sad, it's a fact of life now.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are wrong to say Damon isn't a star. He is a legitimate MVP candidate and the Red Sox would and will be lost without him. Centerfield and leadoff hitter are two the most important spots on a team, and he is the best in the league at both. How are the going to replace him? I hope they pay him. Yeah, he is a little wacky, but that plays big in Boston. Plus, he's your Mother's favorite player........

Unknown said...

It's hard to argue about how good he really is, because I think he is a very good player. But I don't think he's a star, and I also think he's slowing down. Have you noticed how he only had 19 SB's last year (He had 30 in 2003)? This year, he only has 14. His AVE is way up (in a contract year, go figure?) and his OBP has held steady. All in all, I think he's peaked. He's in his 10th year, BTW.

I don't know how they're going to replace him at the leadoff, but that doesn't matter. The point I'm making is that he is leaving. The Red Sox just aren't going to outbid the other teams anymore.

And yes, Mom is going to be upset about it!

R&BMommy said...

Name 10 players in the league better than Damon. What is your definition of a star? He is probably one of the top 3 "celebrities" in the league, and as I said, a legitimate MVP candidate. If he's not a star, who is?

Unknown said...

So you would put Damon on the same level as Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens, Manny Ramirez, and A-Rod -- shoe-ins for the hall of fame? No, you wouldn't. Just because he's having a career year, doesn't make him a star.

I will be the first to say he's having a great year. I believe Damon is a top player. But he isn't on the same level as some of the other players I just listed, and those players are stars

R&BMommy said...

First of all, everyone said last year was his career year, and he is topping that this year. Second, there is a big difference between a hall of fame player and a star. Jim Rice was a star. Dwight Evans was a star. Neither are in the Hall. Do I think Damon is on par with Clemens,etc. No. But he is still a star.