Damon finds home
No offense, citizens of the suburbs, but Johnny Damon cannot see himself living among you.
The new center fielder of the Yankees came to New York in late January to look for a place to live. He and his wife, Michelle, looked at homes in Connecticut and Westchester and shook their heads every time.
“I can see if you’ve been in New York awhile, you might want the trees and the grass or a place to walk your dog,” Damon said. “But I wanted to jump right into New York.”
So the Damons directed their realtor into Manhattan and found a condominium on the 39th floor of a building on the Upper East Side. He has a view of Central Park, and high-profile neighbors, including Brian Williams of NBC News.
Damon still smiles in amazement at it all. He wanted to finish his career in Boston but took a four-year, $52 million contract from the rival Yankees in December. The Red Sox, he said, could have kept him for less.
“It was their choice, not mine,” he said. “But I landed on my feet. This is a great team.”
Damon’s new teammates haven’t had much of a chance to get to know him yet. He missed 16 days of spring training while competing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. He also is commuting to Legends Field from his home in Orlando, Fla., which limits his time in the clubhouse.
Manager Joe Torre has taken to calling his new leadoff hitter “John” but in point of fact, his given name is Johnny David Damon.
“I’m not going to say anything to him,” Damon said. “He can call me whatever he wants.”
Damon smiled as he talked about Torre and chose his words carefully. Because of a speech impediment he had as a child, he pauses for a second before speaking and composes his thoughts. Unintentionally, it gives him a serene quality.
“He seems not to be bothered by anything, and that will help him here,” Derek Jeter said. “Obviously he’s a great player. But he’s not going to have any trouble adjusting to New York after being in Boston.”
Clearing the bases
Infielder Tony Graffanino was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals, returning to the team that traded him to Boston eight months ago. … Kansas City also claimed right-handed pitcher Steve Andrade off waivers from the San Diego Padres. … Mark Prior and Kerry Wood were placed on the 15-day disabled list, meaning the Chicago Cubs will start the season without both star right-handers. … Outfielder Ryan Church was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans by the Washington Nationals, meaning rookie Brandon Watson and Marlon Byrd will share time in center field. In other moves, Washington purchased the contracts of shortstop Royce Clayton and first baseman Daryle Ward from Triple-A New Orleans. … The Philadelphia Phillies traded pitcher Aquilino Lopez to San Diego for minor league outfielder Matt Thayer and third baseman Trey Johnston. … Florida traded catcher Ryan Jorgensen to Cincinnati for infielder Carlos Piste in a swap of minor leaguers. Florida also acquired right-hander Todd Wellemeyer from the Cubs for minor league pitchers Lincoln Holdzkom and Zach McCormack. … Outfielder Marquis Grissom 38, who signed a minor league contract with the Cubs in January, announced his retirement after a 17-year major league career. … Reliever Jim Brower has earned a spot on Baltimore’s opening-day roster despite a 6.75 ERA in spring training. … Relief pitcher Felix Heredia signed a minor league deal with Cleveland.