Johnny Damon just went 6-for-6 against the Royals, and what better way to cap off your performance than with a walk-off “double” against one of the best closers in the game (Joakim Soria). Damon has been absolutely hot this year (Michael Kay and David Cone couldn’t say it enough) and has upped his BA to .326 after today’s game (a heart breaker for KC). However, even with Damon’s contributions, the Yankees haven’t been able to win a lot of games because of their current bullpen situation, which caused Damon to question Joba’s transition from the bullpen to the rotation, earlier in the week.
“We could have used him on our last road trip,” he added. “There’s no doubt about it. Could we have won those games? Maybe, maybe not.”
Now, Damon was simply stating the obvious. He was referring to the games that were blown due to our shoddy relief work from an assortment of subpar hurlers, and was just saying that the Yanks are going to have to get the ball to Mariano and figure things out. He even said that the move helps the Yankees in the long-run, which is the main reason for the move in the first place. Damon didn’t really say anything that was out of line although some papers may have positioned it that way in order to sell some copies.
Of course, Hank Steinbrenner had to react to Damon’s words and had the following to say:
“I love Johnny Damon as a player and a person, and he’s really doing the job right now. But let’s be honest here, he’s not Branch Rickey,” Steinbrenner told the Daily News in a telephone interview before Friday night’s game against the Royals, referring to the legendary baseball executive. “Johnny is a player, and as players, they all need to let the brain trust do the thinking and do the talking.
“The players just need to play and to worry about winning games.”
To be honest Hank, maybe you should quit talking and stick to the thinking aspect of your job (or at least let Cashman do it for you). Johnny Damon was obviously worrying about winning ballgames, that’s why he said what he said and there’s nothing wrong with that. He wasn’t bashing anyone, he was just stating the obvious and was saying that the team is going to have to get it done without Joba in the 8th. It would be nice to have him there but he understands the situation and this will help the club in the end.
I just thought I had to defend the man after seeing him hit the game-winner.
How about the team today? Rallying when down 5-1, rallying when down 10-6, rallying when Mo gives up a shocking homer in the 9th. They could have easily rolled over out there, but they’ve been putting up a fight lately. If this continues, Yankee fans may actually have to stay at the ballpark for an entire game.
