Booing Johnny Damon: A Response to Sterno

MLB.com journalist Casey Stern today expressed regret and embarrassment at the reception Johnny Damon received at Fenway Park last night (see Fenway FO-WHA? at http://sterno.mlblogs.com).  I felt compelled to respond with an alternative view:

Sterno,

You need to distinguish between fans booing Damon for being a Yankee and their condemnation of him as a person. When he tipped his cap last night in his first at bat, almost everyone in Fenway Park cheered loudly. I did so myself. Damon understands that the booing is just part of the fun of the rivalry, and, based on his comments, he understands that's it and nothing more. He's not taking it any more personally than do most fans believe that he is a terrible person for going to the Yankees.

Damon had a choice. He could have taken $10 million per year (more money than a normal person would know what to do with, particularly after what he's already made) or he could go for the highest paying offer. He did the latter. The Red Sox were smart to draw the line because Damon is not worth $13 million per year. Ortiz chose to extend his contract with the Sox for significantly less money than he is worth -- ironically, for the same amount over the same span as Damon. For that, and so many reasons, the fans adore him.

From Damon's perspective, like Pedro's, he may have taken the Sox refusal to bid up as a sign of disrespect. That's his prerogative. Is he greedy? Each person will make his or her own judgment (or just refrain from doing so).

But the bottom line is that the fans don't have to like Damon's choice. They can boo him for making it. They can boo him for being a Yankee. It's not equivalent to hatred or renunciation of all the incredible things he did here (as evidenced by the ovation he got when he tipped his cap). It's just recognition of the fact that the money from the Yankees (be it because of perceived respect or dollar value) was more important to him than staying here with us.

It's all in good fun from most fans. Fortunately, Johnny himself recognizes that.