Johnny Damon, the former World Series champion outfielder for both the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees has been vocal recently about being open to return to the Bronx to fill in for the injured Curtis Granderson.
During an interview with Michael Kay and Don LaGreca on ESPN radio Damon said, "You guys know that I would have tons of interest to go to New York, but I just don't think they would be interested. I'm not exactly sure what happened over the years or something. They have had plenty of opportunities and I kept raising my hand, wanting to go back and, you know, hopefully it would be a perfect fit. It always had been. Have me for six weeks and then send me off on my merry way. That's fine."
Damon has bounced around the league since the Yankees parted ways with him after the 2009 World Series, and he has had varying levels of success since then. Last year, he played sparingly for the Cleveland Indians, hitting just .222 with four home runs and 25 RBI in a little over 200 at-bats. In 2010, with the Tampa Bay Rays though, Damon was productive, batting .261 with 16 home runs and 79 RBI.
According to reports, Damon still holds some ill will toward the Rays organization for letting him go after his solid year, and going with Luke Scott instead. "I guess if you have a bad year and get hurt, you get re-signed. I had a good year there and they didn't want me back," he said to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.
Damon, who is now 39 years old, lacks much of the ability that made him one of the top outfielders in the sport. His speed has diminished greatly-Damon has not stolen 20 bases since 2008, and his notably poor throwing arm is now magnified by decreased range. When asked about possibly bringing in Damon, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman simply said "We will focus on what we have at this time."
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