Who Is Johnny Damon?

Just in case the Yankees were silly enough to make a run for Johnny Damon, I decided to look at him more closely today. Now, I know that, recently, Damon’s agent (Scott Boras) produced a report that claimed Damon was in the Rickey Henderson class of players. That’s so untrue that it’s 100% comical. Using the Sabermetric Baseball Encyclopedia, I did find a “comp” for Damon:

Clyde Milan and Johnny Damon, through age 31, were very much the same type of player.

And, Milan, after the season where he was 31, went onto to play for just three more full years - and was basically just league average with the stick in that time.

I would not be shocked to see Damon to continue with his Milan-mirror path. Therefore, if the Yankees were to sign Johnny, and it was for more than three years, it would be a huge mistake - in my opinion.

And, anyone who gives Damon the seven-year deal that he seeks now is a flat out idiot (if you pardon the pun).

November 30, 2005 | Filed Under Math Class

Comments

4 Responses to “Who Is Johnny Damon?”

Raf on November 30th, 2005 3:11 pm

Damon’s good as Rickey Henderson… I could see that, if he means the Rickey that played from 1994 on. But the Rickey that played CF here? The Rickey that terrorized pitchers on the basepaths? The Rickey that drove the Jays nuts in the 89 playoffs? Damon ain’t even close.
Raf on November 30th, 2005 3:14 pm

Oh, and the key phrase in that article?

“Boras, who said he hoped the Yankees would become involved in the pursuit of Damon…”

Sorry Scotty, ain’t happening. Especially at the contract terms you’re laying out.

Why the owners can show this kind of fiscal restraint, then turn around and sign BJ Ryan to that kind of contract boggles me…
MJ on November 30th, 2005 4:48 pm

I couldn’t agree more, on both points. I respet the Blue Jays for trying to get back into the thick of things but 5 years and that kind of money for BJ Ryan seems a bit outrageous to me too.
rilkefan on November 30th, 2005 6:55 pm

“That’s so untrue that it’s 100% comical.”

Physicists like to say, “That’s not even wrong.”