Johnny Damon Leaving RedSox (1 Viewer)

[Joe Bryant]

Trying to compare Damon to Vinatieri. Is it fair to say Damon put himself up for the highest bidder?

J

 

[SoFresh&SoClean]

What?

 

[Jefferson the Caregiver]

Of course. Nobody but the Yankees was going to give him that contract.

What's the trick in this question? I know Im missing something here.

 

[Capella]

Of course he did. Just like he did when he signed with the Red Sox.

 

[SoFresh&SoClean]

What else could you call it? Players don't usually have extreme loyalty to a team. People change teams.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Of course. Nobody but the Yankees was going to give him that contract.What's the trick in this question? I know Im missing something here.

No trick. I guess what I'm trying to make sure is right is that Damon left for the big money. Vinatieri was pretty much moved out by the team with a half hearted offer. I just wanted to make sure Damon wasn't moved out by the Red Sox.J

 

[Joe Bryant]

Is this an accurate way to say it:

Were you surprised to see the Patriot fans boo Adam Vinatieri so heartily? I was. This wasn’t a Johnny Damon type thing where Vinatieri put himself up to the highest bidder. The Patriots drafted Stephen Gostkowski out of Memphis in the fourth round and the writing was pretty much on the wall. You can’t say it isn’t effective, but the Patriots have no problem moving players out they feel are over priced. But still, Vinatieri was booed lustily. And it seemed to affect him as he missed two field goals. Weird.

J

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Of course. Nobody but the Yankees was going to give him that contract.What's the trick in this question? I know Im missing something here.

No trick. I guess what I'm trying to make sure is right is that Damon left for the big money. Vinatieri was pretty much moved out by the team with a half hearted offer. I just wanted to make sure Damon wasn't moved out by the Red Sox.J

Well they sort of moved him out i.e. Vinatieri...They knew wht the market, including the Yanks, would probably give Damon, and they didn't want to commit to that...IIRC they made an offer they knew he would turn down and then never really negotiated...They continued on with theor plan to get a CF replacement they viewed as comparable (Coco Crisp) but much cheaper and younger...

 

[Joe Bryant]

Of course. Nobody but the Yankees was going to give him that contract.What's the trick in this question? I know Im missing something here.

No trick. I guess what I'm trying to make sure is right is that Damon left for the big money. Vinatieri was pretty much moved out by the team with a half hearted offer. I just wanted to make sure Damon wasn't moved out by the Red Sox.J

Well they sort of moved him out i.e. Vinatieri...They knew wht the market, including the Yanks, would probably give Damon, and they didn't want to commit to that...IIRC they made an offer they knew he would turn down and then never really negotiated...They continued on with theor plan to get a CF replacement they viewed as comparable (Coco Crisp) but much cheaper and younger...

Thanks TU. So it was sort of the same as Vinatieri? That's what I need to know. J

 

[SoFresh&SoClean]

I didn't watch the game, I'm surprised that they booed him seeing that he'll likely be in the Hall of Fame as a Patriot...

 

[Tremendous Upside]

“I know fans are upset. I’m sorry. It wasn’t even close and obviously the money looks like a huge factor, but the fact that they wanted me real bad, they courted me. There was a 6-year offer for more money than the Yankees. I’m walking away from $25 million from another team, so I can play for four years in New York.”Damon agreed to a 4-year, $52 million deal with the Yankees Tuesday night, turning down the Sox offer of 4-years, $40 million.Roche asked Damon if he would have taken less to stay in Boston.Dan: “If they had gone 4 years at $45 million, 4 at 48, 4 at 50, would you have been a member of the Boston Red Sox?”Damon: “Well, I’m sure no one in Boston wants to hear that answer right now… but I tried.” “If that offer was on the table come spring training I wouldn’t be here right now.”

 

[Joe Bryant]

Thanks TU.I'll change to :

Were you surprised to see the Patriot fans boo Adam Vinatieri so heartily? I was. This wasn’t a thing where Vinatieri made crazy demands of New England and put himself up to the highest bidder. The Patriots drafted Stephen Gostkowski out of Memphis in the fourth round and the writing was pretty much on the wall. You can’t say it isn’t effective, but the Patriots have no problem moving players out they feel are over priced. But still, Vinatieri was booed lustily. And it seemed to affect him as he missed two field goals. Weird.

Thanks for the help.J

 

[Nipsey]

Maybe ditch that one and use this one?

Me and Lubert was at the arcade and we play that game when you try to get teh prizes with the mechanics claw. Lubert want me to get a stuffs animal but right next to it is a donald ducks watch that I really like...so Lubert is watching and she is saying "stop!!! you going to far, you is passing my stuffs animals" and the claw pick up the watch...so the donalds watch come down teh hole and I take it out and put in on. Lubert say, "what time is it" and I say "time for you to get you own quarter"...oll

 

[Wild Young Billy]

Is this an accurate way to say it:

Were you surprised to see the Patriot fans boo Adam Vinatieri so heartily? I was. This wasn’t a Johnny Damon type thing where Vinatieri put himself up to the highest bidder. The Patriots drafted Stephen Gostkowski out of Memphis in the fourth round and the writing was pretty much on the wall. You can’t say it isn’t effective, but the Patriots have no problem moving players out they feel are over priced. But still, Vinatieri was booed lustily. And it seemed to affect him as he missed two field goals. Weird.

J

Maybe.... "This wasn’t a Johnny Damon type thing where he put himself to the highest bidder."IMO, in your sentence, it sounds like Vinatieri put himself up to the highest bidder.I think any Free Agent puts himself up to the highest bidder.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Thanks TU.I'll change to :

Were you surprised to see the Patriot fans boo Adam Vinatieri so heartily? I was. This wasn’t a thing where Vinatieri made crazy demands of New England and put himself up to the highest bidder. The Patriots drafted Stephen Gostkowski out of Memphis in the fourth round and the writing was pretty much on the wall. You can’t say it isn’t effective, but the Patriots have no problem moving players out they feel are over priced. But still, Vinatieri was booed lustily. And it seemed to affect him as he missed two field goals. Weird.

Thanks for the help.J

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Didn't Viniateri say he wanted to play in a dome?

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Maybe ditch that one and use this one?

Me and Lubert was at the arcade and we play that game when you try to get teh prizes with the mechanics claw. Lubert want me to get a stuffs animal but right next to it is a donald ducks watch that I really like...so Lubert is watching and she is saying "stop!!! you going to far, you is passing my stuffs animals" and the claw pick up the watch...so the donalds watch come down teh hole and I take it out and put in on. Lubert say, "what time is it" and I say "time for you to get you own quarter"...oll

 

[Joe Bryant]

Maybe ditch that one and use this one?

Me and Lubert was at the arcade and we play that game when you try to get teh prizes with the mechanics claw. Lubert want me to get a stuffs animal but right next to it is a donald ducks watch that I really like...so Lubert is watching and she is saying "stop!!! you going to far, you is passing my stuffs animals" and the claw pick up the watch...so the donalds watch come down teh hole and I take it out and put in on. Lubert say, "what time is it" and I say "time for you to get you own quarter"...oll

J

 

[RKMoney]

Trying to compare Damon to Vinatieri. Is it fair to say Damon put himself up for the highest bidder?J

Blame the Pats 100% on Vin leaving. If they can't give him a few hundred more dollars to the guy who won them multiple SB and KEY playoff games then to me that's a lack or respect. It would be like your favorite employee time after time bailing you out then they want a $5 dollar raise then told him he wasn't worth it.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Didn't Viniateri say he wanted to play in a dome?

Vinatieri has said that he longed for an opportunity to kick in either a warm-weather climate or a dome. He has a home in Celebration, Fla., but no Florida team was interested in him.

link

 

[Sweet Love]

I think you have to look at their situations differently. Although Damon did great thing with the Sox during his tenyre, it was a short tenure. Vinatieri spent his entore career with the Pats and although kickers have elongated careers, there is a strong chance that with this most recent signing of Vinatieri (to whichever team), it could be his last. I am a NY fan, but I am guessing that NE fans think he could have gone "soup to nuts" as a Pat and that is why there are hard feelings. With all that said, didn't they both get booed in their return to Boston?

 

[Jefferson the Caregiver]

I actually agree that there are a lot of similarities in Damon and Vinitieri.

Both definately left for a better contract but their former teams definately did not pursue them that hard either.

Its also interesting in neither case did the player give their former team a chance to counter offer.

 

[bostonfred]

A lot of Patriots fans said they wouldn't boo Vinatieri. Some did. Some didn't. Supposedly, he got a standing O before the game when he came on the field. During game time, though, they were trying to get in the head of a player on arguably their biggest rival. I can see that. I wouldn't have booed him, but I can understand it.

 

[Borat]

The Patriots drafted Stephen Gostkowski out of Memphis in the fourth round and the writing was pretty much on the wall.

What? Vinatieri signed with Indy in March. The draft takes place in April.

 

[Borat]

Blame the Pats 100% on Vin leaving. If they can't give him a few hundred more dollars to the guy who won them multiple SB and KEY playoff games then to me that's a lack or respect.

He didn't even give the Pats a chance to match, from what I remember. The guy was the highest paid kicker in league history his past couple of seasons here. Who disrespected whom?

 

[Borat]

Of course he did. Just like he did when he signed with the Red Sox.

I wish more Red Sox fans would at least acknowledge this.For the record, Vinatieri >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Damon when it comes to Boston sports history.

 

[Capella]

Of course he did. Just like he did when he signed with the Red Sox.

I wish more Red Sox fans would at least acknowledge this.For the record, Vinatieri >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Damon when it comes to Boston sports history.

Red Sox fans crying over how Damon "sold out" is probably my favorite ironic sports moment of the past few years.

 

[RKMoney]

Of course he did. Just like he did when he signed with the Red Sox.

I wish more Red Sox fans would at least acknowledge this.For the record, Vinatieri >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Damon when it comes to Boston sports history.

Red Sox fans crying over how Damon "sold out" is probably my favorite ironic sports moment of the past few years.

I personally like the Sox fans still crying after a WS win and the fact that only one team outspends them but they still love to play the "little engine that could" card.

 

[RKMoney]

Blame the Pats 100% on Vin leaving. If they can't give him a few hundred more dollars to the guy who won them multiple SB and KEY playoff games then to me that's a lack or respect.

He didn't even give the Pats a chance to match, from what I remember. The guy was the highest paid kicker in league history his past couple of seasons here. Who disrespected whom?

Think it was clear at end of season they wouldn't up his salary and instead would rather go with another kicker who they paid around the same as what Vin wanted from them.

 

[Borat]

Of course he did. Just like he did when he signed with the Red Sox.

I wish more Red Sox fans would at least acknowledge this.For the record, Vinatieri >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Damon when it comes to Boston sports history.

Red Sox fans crying over how Damon "sold out" is probably my favorite ironic sports moment of the past few years.

I'm sure it's a favorite of yours, but try being a lifelong fan of the team, and have people immediately think you're a "whiny tool" because of the BS that spews from the mouths of most of the other fans of the team.

 

[Borat]

Blame the Pats 100% on Vin leaving. If they can't give him a few hundred more dollars to the guy who won them multiple SB and KEY playoff games then to me that's a lack or respect.

He didn't even give the Pats a chance to match, from what I remember. The guy was the highest paid kicker in league history his past couple of seasons here. Who disrespected whom?

Think it was clear at end of season they wouldn't up his salary and instead would rather go with another kicker who they paid around the same as what Vin wanted from them.

You think the rookie makes as much as Vinatieri does? Seriously?

 

[RKMoney]

Boston though has a vast history or driving their best athletes out of town. Seems like at least one big time athlete, the face of their team, leaves every year or so. If Jeter played for the Sox he would have been let go.

 

[The Shizzle]

When the Colts took the field, Adam came out first. The place went nuts giving him a standing O. When he lined up to kick a FG or EP, he got alot of boos. At that point, he was already a Colt and there was no reason to cheer him on when he was attempting to put points on the board.

As for Damon, he marketed himself so much while he was in Boston. He loved his celebrity status and knew he was going to hit the FA jackpot when his contract was up. I'm sure he knew the Sox wouldn't sign him. He wanted I think a 6 year deal and he was 33? They weren't going to pay that when he was sitting out games from being hurt. And it was only going to get worse. He would surely go to the team that ponied up the most cake to put fans in the seats to watch the self proclaimed "idiot" play ball. It just happened to be the Yankees.

I also find no correlation between Adam and Johnny. Johnny went to a Boston fan's most hated rival, Adam went to the red headed step-child's team.

 

[RKMoney]

Blame the Pats 100% on Vin leaving. If they can't give him a few hundred more dollars to the guy who won them multiple SB and KEY playoff games then to me that's a lack or respect.

He didn't even give the Pats a chance to match, from what I remember. The guy was the highest paid kicker in league history his past couple of seasons here. Who disrespected whom?

Think it was clear at end of season they wouldn't up his salary and instead would rather go with another kicker who they paid around the same as what Vin wanted from them.

You think the rookie makes as much as Vinatieri does? Seriously?

He wanted what idiot drunk kicker was getting, you think that's a fair request? When the organization said sorry, we aren't going to give you what other kickers are getting then that basically means adios.

 

[Borat]

Boston though has a vast history or driving their best athletes out of town. Seems like at least one big time athlete, the face of their team, leaves every year or so. If Jeter played for the Sox he would have been let go.

When you say "Boston," do you mean the fans, management, or both?

 

[Borat]

Blame the Pats 100% on Vin leaving. If they can't give him a few hundred more dollars to the guy who won them multiple SB and KEY playoff games then to me that's a lack or respect.

He didn't even give the Pats a chance to match, from what I remember. The guy was the highest paid kicker in league history his past couple of seasons here. Who disrespected whom?

Think it was clear at end of season they wouldn't up his salary and instead would rather go with another kicker who they paid around the same as what Vin wanted from them.

You think the rookie makes as much as Vinatieri does? Seriously?

He wanted what idiot drunk kicker was getting, you think that's a fair request? When the organization said sorry, we aren't going to give you what other kickers are getting then that basically means adios.

I'm not sure I follow your argument. V was the highest paid kicker in the league last season. Vanderjagt was a free agent after last season, and didn't sign until way after V did.Not trying to mock your argument, I'm just not following your point here.

 

[Joe Bryant]

For the record, Vinatieri >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Damon when it comes to Boston sports history.

Really?J

 

[RKMoney]

Boston though has a vast history or driving their best athletes out of town. Seems like at least one big time athlete, the face of their team, leaves every year or so. If Jeter played for the Sox he would have been let go.

When you say "Boston," do you mean the fans, management, or both?

Both, management for lame reasons gets rid of their star athletes while the fans who bitterly fought for them quickly turned on them. When one year Nomar is considered just as good or better than Jeter and their boy, the next he's a cancer and needs to leave. Same thing with Pedro, Roger Clemens, Mo Vaughn, Viniteri to name a few.We are talking about the face of their organization. It would be like the Yanks losing Jeter and Rivera or midway through Biggio and Bagwell's career, the Stros get rid of them.Won't be long until Papi and Manny are gone, just watch.

 

[RKMoney]

Blame the Pats 100% on Vin leaving. If they can't give him a few hundred more dollars to the guy who won them multiple SB and KEY playoff games then to me that's a lack or respect.

He didn't even give the Pats a chance to match, from what I remember. The guy was the highest paid kicker in league history his past couple of seasons here. Who disrespected whom?

Think it was clear at end of season they wouldn't up his salary and instead would rather go with another kicker who they paid around the same as what Vin wanted from them.

You think the rookie makes as much as Vinatieri does? Seriously?

He wanted what idiot drunk kicker was getting, you think that's a fair request? When the organization said sorry, we aren't going to give you what other kickers are getting then that basically means adios.

I'm not sure I follow your argument. V was the highest paid kicker in the league last season. Vanderjagt was a free agent after last season, and didn't sign until way after V did.Not trying to mock your argument, I'm just not following your point here.

When you are the best kicker in regards to winning multiple playoff games and multiple Super Bowls and you ask for a raise when you contract is up and they balk and your raise is on par with another kicker who never won a huge game, the point is the organization 100% flat out failed and came off looking like cheap scumbags. We are talking about one of, if not, THE ALL TIME CLUTCH KICKERS IN THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE NFL. Funny, idiot drunk kicker can get a solid contract while not winning a big time game in the snow or one in the SB but the guy who has year after year is turned down? That's the Boston way.

 

[Borat]

For the record, Vinatieri >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Damon when it comes to Boston sports history.

Really?J

Absolutely.He was here for three championships, won two of them on last-second kicks, plus the Snow Bowl kick.

The equivalent for Damon would have been two walk-off, World Series winning hits, plus something spectacular in the ALCS (which he did have in Game 7 of the '04 ALCS).

I will grant you that maybe Damon might not have had to do quite that much, given the Red Sox history and all, but he still comes up way short. I don't think many Boston fans would disagree.

The biggest heroes of that '04 Sox team were Curt Schilling and David Ortiz. Since I'd have to reserve Tedy Bruschi for Manny Ramirez or Pedro Martinez, I would say Damon's equivalent on the Pats would probably be... I don't know... Mike Vrabel maybe?

 

[Joe Bryant]

For the record, Vinatieri >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Damon when it comes to Boston sports history.

Really?J

Absolutely.He was here for three championships, won two of them on last-second kicks, plus the Snow Bowl kick.

The equivalent for Damon would have been two walk-off, World Series winning hits, plus something spectacular in the ALCS (which he did have in Game 7 of the '04 ALCS).

I will grant you that maybe Damon might not have had to do quite that much, given the Red Sox history and all, but he still comes up way short. I don't think many Boston fans would disagree.

The biggest heroes of that '04 Sox team were Curt Schilling and David Ortiz. Since I'd have to reserve Tedy Bruschi for Manny Ramirez or Pedro Martinez, I would say Damon's equivalent on the Pats would probably be... I don't know... Mike Vrabel maybe?

I'm sorry borat. I was being sarcastic. I can't imagine anyone thinking Damon would be close to Vinatieri.J

 

[massraider]

Boston though has a vast history or driving their best athletes out of town. Seems like at least one big time athlete, the face of their team, leaves every year or so. If Jeter played for the Sox he would have been let go.

When you say "Boston," do you mean the fans, management, or both?

Both, management for lame reasons gets rid of their star athletes while the fans who bitterly fought for them quickly turned on them. When one year Nomar is considered just as good or better than Jeter and their boy, the next he's a cancer and needs to leave. Same thing with Pedro, Roger Clemens, Mo Vaughn, Viniteri to name a few.We are talking about the face of their organization. It would be like the Yanks losing Jeter and Rivera or midway through Biggio and Bagwell's career, the Stros get rid of them.Won't be long until Papi and Manny are gone, just watch.

Doesn't your argument lose a little steam when those 'best athletes' all pretty much #### the bed after they leave town? Nomar? Took him three years to get healthy--and they won the World Series that year, if I'm not mistaken.Mo Vaughn? He was on a milk carton after leaving Boston.Clemens? They didn't drive him out of town, he got pissy, and fat.Vinitiari? Jury is out, but isn't he the guy that just missed two kicks, versus his old team?Pedro? The Sox had durability concerns. Crazy, huh?

 

[Borat]

Both, management for lame reasons gets rid of their star athletes while the fans who bitterly fought for them quickly turned on them. When one year Nomar is considered just as good or better than Jeter and their boy, the next he's a cancer and needs to leave. Same thing with Pedro, Roger Clemens, Mo Vaughn, Viniteri to name a few.We are talking about the face of their organization. It would be like the Yanks losing Jeter and Rivera or midway through Biggio and Bagwell's career, the Stros get rid of them.Won't be long until Papi and Manny are gone, just watch.

We ran Nomar out because of what he did against the Yankees in that game when Jeter showed balls of steel and Nomar acted like a little girl. For the record, I still love Nomar and wish him the best, but what he did was inexcusable.Everyone still loves Pedro. He's gone because we didn't match the foolish contract the Mets gave him. And now you see why we didn't.Clemens was a grade-A jerk. He signed the biggest contract in baseball history, then packed on a ton of weight and mailed it in. Not to mention nonsense like charging children money for his autograph at one point.We love Mo Vaughn and always will. But again, he got a foolish contract, and letting him go proved to be the wise thing to do.Vinatieri is a different matter, because unlike the Sox, the Patriots have a salary cap to consider. I didn't fault them for not giving him all that money at the time, and it would be unfair for me to now say that I wanted them to sign him all along. It's just too much for a kicker.I agree that Manny will be run out of town. He's gotten an undeserved bad rap from almost the moment he arrived. No Boston athlete of my lifetime has been less appreciated.I'd be amazed if Ortiz does not retire a Red Sox player.

 

[Borat]

When you are the best kicker in regards to winning multiple playoff games and multiple Super Bowls and you ask for a raise when you contract is up and they balk and your raise is on par with another kicker who never won a huge game, the point is the organization 100% flat out failed and came off looking like cheap scumbags. We are talking about one of, if not, THE ALL TIME CLUTCH KICKERS IN THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE NFL. Funny, idiot drunk kicker can get a solid contract while not winning a big time game in the snow or one in the SB but the guy who has year after year is turned down? That's the Boston way.

Please tell me what in the world you are talking about. Vanderjagt was a free agent this past offseason as well, and he signed long after Vinatieri. How would V have asked for Vanderjagt money if Vanderjagt hadn't even been signed yet?

 

[Borat]

For the record, Vinatieri >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Damon when it comes to Boston sports history.

Really?J

Absolutely.He was here for three championships, won two of them on last-second kicks, plus the Snow Bowl kick.

The equivalent for Damon would have been two walk-off, World Series winning hits, plus something spectacular in the ALCS (which he did have in Game 7 of the '04 ALCS).

I will grant you that maybe Damon might not have had to do quite that much, given the Red Sox history and all, but he still comes up way short. I don't think many Boston fans would disagree.

The biggest heroes of that '04 Sox team were Curt Schilling and David Ortiz. Since I'd have to reserve Tedy Bruschi for Manny Ramirez or Pedro Martinez, I would say Damon's equivalent on the Pats would probably be... I don't know... Mike Vrabel maybe?

I'm sorry borat. I was being sarcastic. I can't imagine anyone thinking Damon would be close to Vinatieri.J

 

[Bionic Commando]

I think they're similar in that both teams have front offices that didn't overpay what they thought the player was worth because they were sentimental. Right or wrong, they calculated how much each player was worth and stuck to it. And when you do that, chances are that you're not going to be offering the highest salary out of 30 some-odd teams.

To the teams and players it's not about "selling out" or being disloyal, it's business. I like the people I work with and the city I work in, but if somebody offered me 50% more to move across town to a new job, .

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Doesn't your argument lose a little steam when those 'best athletes' all pretty much #### the bed after they leave town? Nomar? Took him three years to get healthy--and they won the World Series that year, if I'm not mistaken.Mo Vaughn? He was on a milk carton after leaving Boston.Clemens? They didn't drive him out of town, he got pissy, and fat.Vinitiari? Jury is out, but isn't he the guy that just missed two kicks, versus his old team?Pedro? The Sox had durability concerns. Crazy, huh?

Joe Thornton? League scoring leader and MVP.

 

[massraider]

Doesn't your argument lose a little steam when those 'best athletes' all pretty much #### the bed after they leave town? Nomar? Took him three years to get healthy--and they won the World Series that year, if I'm not mistaken.Mo Vaughn? He was on a milk carton after leaving Boston.Clemens? They didn't drive him out of town, he got pissy, and fat.Vinitiari? Jury is out, but isn't he the guy that just missed two kicks, versus his old team?Pedro? The Sox had durability concerns. Crazy, huh?

Joe Thornton? League scoring leader and MVP.

'A cheapskate owner from your neck of the woods, that won't pay anyone. At least, that's my recollection. I'm the first to admit that hockey is not my bag.Either way, RKMoney's ridiculous theory holds no water. He's actually knocking the Boston teams for not paying Vaughn, Pedro, or Nomar? DId he really just compare those players' exits to the Yankees getting rid of Jeter during his prime? I'm surprised he didn't throw Reggie Lewis into the mix, as Boston fans drove him to a coke overdose.For all those moves, the only one that has haunted the city of Boston is Clemens, and he had to go. Otherwise, RKMoney is knocking these teams for making sound financial decisions.

 

[RKMoney]

Boston though has a vast history or driving their best athletes out of town. Seems like at least one big time athlete, the face of their team, leaves every year or so. If Jeter played for the Sox he would have been let go.

When you say "Boston," do you mean the fans, management, or both?

Both, management for lame reasons gets rid of their star athletes while the fans who bitterly fought for them quickly turned on them. When one year Nomar is considered just as good or better than Jeter and their boy, the next he's a cancer and needs to leave. Same thing with Pedro, Roger Clemens, Mo Vaughn, Viniteri to name a few.We are talking about the face of their organization. It would be like the Yanks losing Jeter and Rivera or midway through Biggio and Bagwell's career, the Stros get rid of them.Won't be long until Papi and Manny are gone, just watch.

Doesn't your argument lose a little steam when those 'best athletes' all pretty much #### the bed after they leave town? Nomar? Took him three years to get healthy--and they won the World Series that year, if I'm not mistaken.Mo Vaughn? He was on a milk carton after leaving Boston.Clemens? They didn't drive him out of town, he got pissy, and fat.Vinitiari? Jury is out, but isn't he the guy that just missed two kicks, versus his old team?Pedro? The Sox had durability concerns. Crazy, huh?

Yea, nuts that you can't name another big time organization that can't seem to get rid of their guys quick enough where as before they were the face of their organization. Not only do they leave but they burn bridges. Funny though must be dumb luck!Coming up next (and you know it will):Manny PapiPapsVin won them multiple SB then couldn't fork over enough money to keep him. Good times.

 

[RKMoney]

Both, management for lame reasons gets rid of their star athletes while the fans who bitterly fought for them quickly turned on them. When one year Nomar is considered just as good or better than Jeter and their boy, the next he's a cancer and needs to leave. Same thing with Pedro, Roger Clemens, Mo Vaughn, Viniteri to name a few.We are talking about the face of their organization. It would be like the Yanks losing Jeter and Rivera or midway through Biggio and Bagwell's career, the Stros get rid of them.Won't be long until Papi and Manny are gone, just watch.

We ran Nomar out because of what he did against the Yankees in that game when Jeter showed balls of steel and Nomar acted like a little girl. For the record, I still love Nomar and wish him the best, but what he did was inexcusable.Everyone still loves Pedro. He's gone because we didn't match the foolish contract the Mets gave him. And now you see why we didn't.Clemens was a grade-A jerk. He signed the biggest contract in baseball history, then packed on a ton of weight and mailed it in. Not to mention nonsense like charging children money for his autograph at one point.We love Mo Vaughn and always will. But again, he got a foolish contract, and letting him go proved to be the wise thing to do.Vinatieri is a different matter, because unlike the Sox, the Patriots have a salary cap to consider. I didn't fault them for not giving him all that money at the time, and it would be unfair for me to now say that I wanted them to sign him all along. It's just too much for a kicker.I agree that Manny will be run out of town. He's gotten an undeserved bad rap from almost the moment he arrived. No Boston athlete of my lifetime has been less appreciated.I'd be amazed if Ortiz does not retire a Red Sox player.

Love the Clemens excuse.Oh and nice job on giving away Jeff Bagwell.Excuses, excuses. The point is Boston is nationally known to have their main stars leave their team while burning every possibly bridge in the process.Put Vinatieri on just about any other NFL team where he won two SB and I can promise you he would still be there. Brady will leave but the organization and fans by that point will say he really had little to do with them winning or some other crock of lies that you guys tell yourself to feel better.Remember, it was almost yesterday that NOMAH was just as good or better than Jeter...my how quickly he was run out of town.It will amaze me more if any current Boston player ends up retiring for them, not kicked out of their city and pissed off in the process.