Bill Simmons (aka “The Sports Guy”) finally weighed in on the Johnny Damon deal. I have been expecting Simmons, an unabashed Red Sox fan, to write something, and I am glad he finally did. (I have said “finally” twice now, but it has been less than two days since the signing. I guess time just moves more slowly when I am on Christmas vacation.)
I agree with most of what Simmons said, and I think it is a pretty rational approach he takes. But while he says it’s no big deal and that Red Sox fans should be glad Boston didn’t overpay for Damon and the Yankees did, I still sense a deep — perhaps subconscious — resentment. That sense comes from Simmons’ repeated insistence that it is “always about money.” I have no doubt that money was an issue here, but like I said the other day, I don’t believe that the Red Sox wouldn’t have given Johnny about the same amount of money as the Yankees if he had given them the chance. I think hearing a Red Sox fan insist that this was all about the money is a clever form of denial over the simple fact that Damon apparently believed he would have a better chace of winning it all in New York. No Sox fan will want to admit it, but there it is.
I love Simmons. I’m assuming you’ve read his unintentional comedy scale…but if you haven’t, gosh darn…it’s great stuff!!