Filed under: Boston Red Sox
That is the question. Unfortunately it will be a mere 37,000 Fenway Faithful who will cheer/boo on behalf of the entire Red Sox Nation tonight during Johnny Damon’s return to Fenway Park. The problem with this is that I am sure if you ask 10 Sox fans you will get 10 different opinions. Needless to say, the Johnny debate has caused some turmoil throughout the Red Sox Nation. After a lengthy and emotionally flip-flopping deliberation over breakfast this morning, I finally reached a conclusion on what I would do if I were attending the Sox-Yankees game tonight.
When Johnny Damon steps up to the plate at Fenway Park for the first time since crossing over to the dark side I would cheer him. Regardless of what uniform he bears now, he was a great Red Sock and one of the most important members of our beloved World Series Champion Idiots that ended our 86 year old title drought. For this, Johnny Damon deserves the same treatment that each member of this unique and esteemed team has received. Orlando Cabrera received a standing ovation in his return to Fenway Park despite the fact he returned in an opponent’s uniform. Pedro will during his return in June. If the Dodgers came to town half the team would receive a cheer(except maybe their manager). Johnny Damon should receive the same. So for his first at-bat the crowd should stand, applaud, and cheer for the same Johnny Damon that we all knew and loved. It will be, in essence, our final good-bye to Johnny Damon as a Red Sock. We were stripped of any closure during an offseason which we never had the chance to see him(characteristic of most offseasons – something we may have forgotten since 2004). So this should be a chance to say thank you to the returning Johnny Damon. That’s it. One at-bat, one standing O. After that he’s a Yankee. And he is subject to the hatred, the boos, and the allegations of sodomy or debilitating diseases acquired primarily through drug use or unsafe intercourse like any other human donning a Yankee uniform. And that is how it should be.
I understand most arguments. In fact, I have probably made about every argument there is during some point of my grieving time for Johnny. But its done, its over, and to argue over responsibility is futile. I am completely ok with Johnny Damon being a Yankee. I have been for a while actually. The only problem I have had recently is how to convey my regard for Johnny in a way that makes sense and is fair.
I love this 2006 Red Sox team. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Yes they can be frustrating and I may get upset at them, but that’s the nature of being a sports fan. Especially a Red Sox fan. And I am ok with that, because at the end of the 162 game season you really feel like you have a bond with your team. You have experienced the things they have. There will certainly be adjustments along the way, but that’s part of the game as well. As a fan you get attached and you have to deal with the consequences of that. Which is precisely why the Damon predicament has been difficult. If you get attached you might get hurt if that person leaves. If you don’t get attached then you have never really loved your team. If you ask me the latter is much more discreditable to the true fan. The experience of sharing a World Series Championship with Johnny Damon was much more joyful than his departure was sad. Which is why if I were one of the 37,000 strong attending Johnny’s reception tonight at Fenway, I would cheer. Just once. Then I’ll boo his ass and laugh at stuff like this. Yankees Suck.
theaveragefan@bostonprosports.com