Johnny Damon is 40 years old, and two years removed from his last major league action, but the former Red Sox and Yankees All-Star isn’t ready to officially hang up his cleats.
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At this weekend’s Yankees old-timers day, Damon talked about the possibility of making one more run in the big leagues before calling it quits for real. He told Yes Network he’s open to the idea, if the right opportunity comes along:
"I’ll listen, and it depends on how much time they give me to get ready. When I played for Cleveland, the season had started; in two weeks I rushed through spring training, and I didn’t feel like I was ready to go until after 70 at-bats or so."
Damon’s 2012 stint in Cleveland ended with him hitting just .222 in 207 ABs, a far cry from his career .284 batting average. Of course batting isn’t the only issue with Damon, it’s getting around the outfield at his advanced age, with all the wear and tear his body has taken over the years.
But Damon isn’t yet ready to succumb to the realities of time. He told Yes about the activity that helps keep him in shape:
"I’m still in pretty good shape, and the opportunities that a lot of guys out there are still getting motivate me. I sit and go “Oh this guy’s still playing,” so I’m kind of holding out hope. I’m in probably better soccer condition now, because that’s what I normally do in the spring and fall – the summers are a little hot down in Florida – but I’m running around doing my thing."
Maybe the USMNT should call Johnny up ahead of their next World Cup match.
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