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Johnny Damon will not return to Red Sox
August 25th, 2010
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
Outfielder Johnny Damon will not be returning to the Boston Red Sox. Damon, now with the Detroit Tigers, helped the Red Sox win the 2004 World Series. Damon was upfront with reporters that he would not approve a trade to Boston.
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - "Initially, I thought long and hard about it, but after going around and talking to a bunch of my teammates, they want me here, and they feel we can make a strong push - at least make this Central race interesting," Damon said. "That's why I'm going to stay. I've said all along I love playing for Detroit, for the city, for the fans. These guys really like me here."
The Red Sox are fighting to stay in the pennant race in spite of injuries to Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, among others. Damon's contract, which expires after this season, gives him the right to block deals to 21 teams, including the Red Sox. The waiver claim and Damon's decision means that he cannot be traded the rest of this season.
"As much as I would love to be back here next year, that's something the team doesn't really decide on until possibly the off-season," Damon said. "I'm O.K. with it. I know going to Boston probably could have helped out my free agency, but so be it. I felt like, when we started this season, this team was all together in our thought process. We're going to win and lose together."
Damon has also acknowledged bad feelings toward the Red Sox' front office since his departure for the Yankees after the 2005 season. He said he would have liked playing again with his former Red Sox teammates, but says his Red Sox days are over. "That time has kind of passed," he said.