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February 20, 2008

Damon Almost Retired Last Season

Via Jon Heyman -

When Johnny Damon walked out of spring training early last year, he thought he was walking away from the game, SI.com has learned. The Yankees explained Damon's absence early last spring as "personal reasons,'' and there was a lot of wrong speculation about something or other happening with Damon's family that would necessitate the time off.

The reality is, according to Yankees clubhouse sources, Damon just wasn't sure if he wanted to keep playing and was actually seriously considering walking away from the final three years of his $52-million, four-year contract. Nobody does that, but Damon almost did.

"I was just exhausted .... Burnt out,'' Damon told SI.com Tuesday. "[Retirement] definitely crossed my mind.''

The 2000 season was the best in Damon's career. But, right behind that year, his second best season ever was 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006 – all too close to pick one over another.

It’s interesting that he would be burnt coming off back-to-back-to-back solid seasons like 2004-2006. Maybe the thought of another season in the Yankees clubhouse, like the one in 2006, had him down?

This is just a hunch, but, I think Damon bounces back this season and posts numbers close to what he did from 2004 to 2006.

Posted by WW Staff at February 20, 2008 03:54 PM

Comments

WELL THERE YOU GO BEING ALL NEGATIVE AGAIN!!!

Posted by: Corey [TypeKey Profile Page] at February 21, 2008 01:42 AM