Johnny Damon is very proud of never going on the disabled list during his major league career.
Normally, having pride in such a streak is admirable, in a "at-least-I'm-not Carl-Pavano-sort-of-way."
But the point has long passed where Damon's streak is hurting the team. Since he suffered his first injury of the season on Opening day (81 days ago), he has been holding an important roster spot hostage while he refuses to heal on the DL.
The other day I was listening to Joe Torre (the enabler) running down Damon's list of injuries. Let's see, there are the calves, back, stomach, shoulder, ribs and now teeth - yes, teeth.
It's apparent by now that the $52 million dollar man is one of Brian Cashman's greatest follies. (There have been many.) Clearly, it's not Damon's fault that he is injured, and who wouldn't take the money when offered.
Damon's fault is not understanding that he can't help the team by sitting on the bench and playing a few innings a week. His calf-back-stomach-shoulder-rib- tooth-injury prevents him from being a successful pinch-hitter, and his inability to play center field is exposing the average-at-best Melky Cabrera.
Damon is coming off as selfish, nothing more. No one but he cares about his "No DL" streak, and it's amazing that Cashman and Torre have agreed to play with such a depleted roster while playing six straight games in National League parks.
Curiously, Cashman and Torre are letting Damon get away with this. Torre recently said: "But at this point in time, even if Johnny isn't at the top of his game, he's probably still better than someone we could put out there, especially when we get to the D.H. situation."
There is so much wrong with this statement that my keyboard is burning and I have to settle down before responding.
Damon is a shell of a player now. His power numbers are staggering inefficient. He can not use his legs to run or steal, and he can't play defense. Even if healthy, that arm of his makes Bernie's look like Roberto Clemente's. There is nothing he can do in his present state to help the team.
Yet Torre thinks there is no one better to put on the roster?
Joe, here's an idea: How about someone who might actually play?
The Damon absurdity was particularly troublesome this week. With the need for pinch-hitters and extra bench players because of double-switches and hitting for pitchers, Torre and Cashman elected to forgo the extra roster spot that might have actually helped the team.
Damon recently said that he was hopeful to be ready for the Baltimore series this week. "I'm just praying that I'll be ready for Tuesday," Damon said.
Good luck with the prayers, Johnny, you'll need them.
There's no doubt about it. Cashman made a foolish move here. Damon is signed through 2009.
DISTURBING STAT OF THE WEEK:
Mike Mussina's lifetime batting average is 28 points higher than Wil Nieves'.
Moose: .170
Nieves: .142
Wil the Thrill ended the game at .111
It's remarkable to me that every year the Yanks' reserve catcher is worse than the guy before him. I would be very surprised if Nieves is on the roster by the time the Yanks get home from this road trip.
HORRAY FOR CHRIS BASAK
No doubt his loved ones have filed a missing persons' report since he has been buried on Torre's bench for an undisclosed period of time. He did get his first major league at bat on Sunday as he smoked a liner that Bonds grabbed. At least Basak hit the ball hard!
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