GaryMrMets
12-25-2005, 07:07 PM
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/story/377499p-320718c.html
Damon at center of legacy
BY SAM BORDEN
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
It is one of those places in sports.
It has history, poetry, magic and mysticism. It is a space where legends do not run so much as glide, and where memories grow with the grass.
Center field at Yankee Stadium.
"I think it's one of the greatest places to play," said Bobby Murcer, who would know, since he was its primary resident from 1969-74 and went to four All-Star Games during that stretch.
So how will Johnny Damon measure up to the lore? It's impossible to be sure, but the expectations will be high. There are few positions in any game that have the history of the spot he has claimed, and the comparisons began almost as soon as his four-year, $52 million deal was sealed.
The Yankees had an All-Star-caliber center fielder for almost every season from 1925-79, not to mention the past 15 years with Bernie Williams. So who does Damon most resemble?
It would be virtual heresy to suggest that he's on the same plane as Joe DiMaggio (1936-51) or Mickey Mantle (1952-66), but is he more like Mickey Rivers (1976-79) or Murcer?
Perhaps the best comparison might be to an older and lesser-known Yankee, Earle Combs. The Kentucky Colonel, as he was known, preceded DiMaggio and held the spot in Hall of Fame fashion from 1925-35. Like Damon, he was a leadoff hitter with great range and he had knack for sacrificing his body. His career ended when he suffered a skull fracture after running into an unpadded outfield wall.
Sound familiar? Much was made of Damon's unruly hairstyle, but most forget that the impetus for that long look came from a horrifying head-on collision with teammate Damian Jackson in the 2003 AL division series (afterward, he said it hurt to cut his hair).
Damon, who has been lauded for his grittiness and durability, returned from the ugly incident to play against the Bombers in the ALCS and has always had a penchant for flinging his body around in the name of defensive excellence. Damon was personally responsible for the Blue Jays' redesign of their scoreboard, in fact, after he sliced his arm open while jumping against it chasing a fly ball.
"I'm going to do whatever it takes to help us win," Damon said at his introductory press conference on Friday at the Stadium. "Whatever it takes. I'm ready to run through walls for this team."
Ultimately, that may be what he is remembered for when Yankee fans sit around living rooms 100 years from now discussing the newest man to play center. Every fan has his own favorite and, for anyone who has followed the Yankees for an extended period of time, there is always an image that flickers across the mind's eye when the words "center field" are mentioned.
"I think of greatness," George Steinbrenner said through his spokesman, Howard Rubenstein. "It brings to mind the brilliance and greatness of Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Bernie Williams. It brings to mind the excellence and cheers of Yankee fans. It also conjures up some of the best fielding from some of the best players in the game. It brings me great happiness and excitement to think of it."
Damon is not ignorant of the arena he has entered. He mentioned several times how he much he enjoyed playing at the Stadium as a visiting player and acknowledged there will be a difference when he runs out there for the first time wearing pinstripes.
He said he is happy that Williams still will be around, having opted to return to the Yanks on a one-year deal as a reserve. When asked about the history of center field in the Bronx, Damon highlighted his new teammate.
"I'm glad that we still have one of the recent legends in Bernie Williams," he said. "It's going to be great to learn from him and be his teammate. He's one of those lifers."
Williams is much quieter than Damon and will be remembered for the quiet confidence he exuded, a workmanlike attitude that created grace and style from a less polished raw talent. He never seemed concerned about the perception of his abilities, and Murcer said he sees a similar approach in Damon.
"I'm Johnny Damon and I've already proven myself" was how Murcer put the sentiment into words, and while Damon readily admits he has plenty of work left to do, there's no denying his belief in himself.
That surely is a trait shared by all the men who came before him, but there almost certainly will be a moment in April when Damon runs out to his position and wonders - as Murcer recalled thinking to himself - "What in the heck am I doing there?"
Murcer said his first game was a blur, but talked about how imposing the outfield at the old Yankee Stadium was - the cavernous alleys and the flagpoles and monuments that were actually in play (though rarely reached) serving as a tangible reminder of the past.
Now, those objects are gone from the outfield. The field is unobstructed and the turf is unmarred. The sliding snags and headlong leaps and basket catches are left to simply float around in the air, lingering ... and waiting for the next great Yankee center fielder to join them in their game.
Originally published on December 25, 2005
http://www.nydailynews.com/ips_rich_content/900-damon.JPG
Johnny Damon follows Bernie Williams into center field, hoping to carry torch of Yankee greats to roam hallowed grounds.
Damon at center of legacy
BY SAM BORDEN
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
It is one of those places in sports.
It has history, poetry, magic and mysticism. It is a space where legends do not run so much as glide, and where memories grow with the grass.
Center field at Yankee Stadium.
"I think it's one of the greatest places to play," said Bobby Murcer, who would know, since he was its primary resident from 1969-74 and went to four All-Star Games during that stretch.
So how will Johnny Damon measure up to the lore? It's impossible to be sure, but the expectations will be high. There are few positions in any game that have the history of the spot he has claimed, and the comparisons began almost as soon as his four-year, $52 million deal was sealed.
The Yankees had an All-Star-caliber center fielder for almost every season from 1925-79, not to mention the past 15 years with Bernie Williams. So who does Damon most resemble?
It would be virtual heresy to suggest that he's on the same plane as Joe DiMaggio (1936-51) or Mickey Mantle (1952-66), but is he more like Mickey Rivers (1976-79) or Murcer?
Perhaps the best comparison might be to an older and lesser-known Yankee, Earle Combs. The Kentucky Colonel, as he was known, preceded DiMaggio and held the spot in Hall of Fame fashion from 1925-35. Like Damon, he was a leadoff hitter with great range and he had knack for sacrificing his body. His career ended when he suffered a skull fracture after running into an unpadded outfield wall.
Sound familiar? Much was made of Damon's unruly hairstyle, but most forget that the impetus for that long look came from a horrifying head-on collision with teammate Damian Jackson in the 2003 AL division series (afterward, he said it hurt to cut his hair).
Damon, who has been lauded for his grittiness and durability, returned from the ugly incident to play against the Bombers in the ALCS and has always had a penchant for flinging his body around in the name of defensive excellence. Damon was personally responsible for the Blue Jays' redesign of their scoreboard, in fact, after he sliced his arm open while jumping against it chasing a fly ball.
"I'm going to do whatever it takes to help us win," Damon said at his introductory press conference on Friday at the Stadium. "Whatever it takes. I'm ready to run through walls for this team."
Ultimately, that may be what he is remembered for when Yankee fans sit around living rooms 100 years from now discussing the newest man to play center. Every fan has his own favorite and, for anyone who has followed the Yankees for an extended period of time, there is always an image that flickers across the mind's eye when the words "center field" are mentioned.
"I think of greatness," George Steinbrenner said through his spokesman, Howard Rubenstein. "It brings to mind the brilliance and greatness of Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Bernie Williams. It brings to mind the excellence and cheers of Yankee fans. It also conjures up some of the best fielding from some of the best players in the game. It brings me great happiness and excitement to think of it."
Damon is not ignorant of the arena he has entered. He mentioned several times how he much he enjoyed playing at the Stadium as a visiting player and acknowledged there will be a difference when he runs out there for the first time wearing pinstripes.
He said he is happy that Williams still will be around, having opted to return to the Yanks on a one-year deal as a reserve. When asked about the history of center field in the Bronx, Damon highlighted his new teammate.
"I'm glad that we still have one of the recent legends in Bernie Williams," he said. "It's going to be great to learn from him and be his teammate. He's one of those lifers."
Williams is much quieter than Damon and will be remembered for the quiet confidence he exuded, a workmanlike attitude that created grace and style from a less polished raw talent. He never seemed concerned about the perception of his abilities, and Murcer said he sees a similar approach in Damon.
"I'm Johnny Damon and I've already proven myself" was how Murcer put the sentiment into words, and while Damon readily admits he has plenty of work left to do, there's no denying his belief in himself.
That surely is a trait shared by all the men who came before him, but there almost certainly will be a moment in April when Damon runs out to his position and wonders - as Murcer recalled thinking to himself - "What in the heck am I doing there?"
Murcer said his first game was a blur, but talked about how imposing the outfield at the old Yankee Stadium was - the cavernous alleys and the flagpoles and monuments that were actually in play (though rarely reached) serving as a tangible reminder of the past.
Now, those objects are gone from the outfield. The field is unobstructed and the turf is unmarred. The sliding snags and headlong leaps and basket catches are left to simply float around in the air, lingering ... and waiting for the next great Yankee center fielder to join them in their game.
Originally published on December 25, 2005
http://www.nydailynews.com/ips_rich_content/900-damon.JPG
Johnny Damon follows Bernie Williams into center field, hoping to carry torch of Yankee greats to roam hallowed grounds.