Yankees Daily

I have to admit, I was getting excited to watch Johnny “Ta” “Ta” play against the New York Yankees today but according to the Lohud, it’s rained out. Johnny Ta Ta Damon is probably going to have a good year.

I’d say a real big move that worked for Joe Girardi this past year was moving Jeter into the lead off spot and taking Johnny Damon out of it. Derek Jeter is batting .382 in first inning at bats. He has scored 30 runs and has 50 hits. If you compare that to Johnny Damon’s first inning at bats, he’s batting only .233, scored 22 runs and only has 27 hits. Jeter also has a .414 on base percentage in the first inning compared to Damon who has a .326 OBP.

It’s important to have your best hitter batting first in the line up. I haven’t figured out how many times Mark Teixeira drove in Derek Jeter but Mark’s most RBI’s this year came in the first inning. In the first inning, he drove in 23 runs. A-Rod also has the most RBI’s in the first inning with 23 but for some reason A-Rod’s best inning is the fifth inning where’s he’s batting .426.

I remember when people gave Girardi heat over moving Jeter into the lead off spot and moving Damon out of it. It seems to have paid off for the whole year and it made the whole lineup better.

Damon’s take

Damon wasn’t happy with the offer the Red Sox gave him when he was a free agent so he signed with the Yankees.

Says Damon: “Nothing surprises me about Boston,” the Yankees’ Johnny Damon said. “Not too many players leave there happy. It’s been very well documented over the years, going back to Mike Greenwell and (Roger) Clemens and Mo Vaughn and Nomar (Garciaparra) and on and on.”

• New York Yankee Johnny Damon’s take on Manny Ramirez trade - Ed Price/The Star-Ledger

Johnny Damon was sent home before yesterday’s game because he had the flu and so Joe Girardi sent him home so he wouldn’t give it to other players. Joba Chamberlain had the flu Sunday. That’s basically all there is to say.

• Flu fear causes Damon to flee – Ed Price – Star-Ledger

Johnny Damon is a national spokes person for the Wounded Warrior Project, a Jacksonville, Fla.-based non-profit organization that aims to help severely injured soldiers with their readjustment to civilian life.

Johnny Damon is trying to make his teammates aware of the soldiers’ sacrifice because they fight for their freedom.

• Damon bonds with wounded vets – Bryan Hoch – Yankees Official
• Damon’s Special Mission – Pete Caldera – Bergen Record

Johnny Damon feels the young Yankees’ pitchers will bring a different attitude and that the Yankees have a good solid all around team.

Ray McNulty: Attitude sets Damon apart – Ray McNulty – TCPalm

A-Rod is only one of nine players in history to win three MVPs.

• New York BBWAA chapter throws a party – Mark Feinsand – NY Daily News
• Damon, honorees strike emotional chord - Phil Pepe – YesNetwork

Bryan Hoch answers his mailbag questions.

• Mailbag: Who will be the left fielder? – Bryan Hoch – Yankees Official
• Damon on Gaining Weight and Cashman on Williams – Jack Curry – New York Times

The Yankees are still entertaining the thought of having Johan Santana in their rotation and with a plethora of outfielders on their roster, Melky Cabrera would have to go.

• Around the Horn: Outfielders – yankees.com – Bryan Hoch