Johnny Damon's baseball career

Atlanta Braves

Johnny Damon's baseball career

Photos: A look at Johnny Damon's baseball career with the Royals, Athletics, Red Sox and Yankees, Feb. 2010.

Free agent outfielder Johnny Damon lists the Atlanta Braves as one of the top teams he'd like to play for in 2010. But which Damon would Braves fans get? The clean-cut Johnny or the scruffy one? Damon's career has, like his look, been one of constant change.

Damon nabbed his first World Series ring with the Boston Red Sox as part of the 2004 team that broke the infamous "Curse," giving the team its first World Series title since 1918. Damon's leadoff homer in Game 4 proved the decisive run as Boston swept St. Louis.

But it all started for Damon in August 1995 with the Royals. The Fort Riley, Kansas, native spent 1995-2000 with Kansas City. In his final Royals season, Damon posted an AL-leading 136 runs and 46 stolen bases.

The Royals traded Damon to the Athletics, where he spent the 2001 season.

Damon's career took off when he signed a 4-year, $32 million contract with Boston in Dec. 2001. With the Red Sox from 2002-05, Damon became one of the club's most popular players known as much for his long hair and scruffy beard as his production on the field. Damon had his best MLB season with Boston in 2004, batting .304 with 20 home runs and 94 RBIs.

Damon's Yankee career started off well but a 2008 shoulder injury sidelined him. Nevertheless, he rebounded to hit 27 doubles that season. New York won only one World Series during Damon's time with the team, less than ownership had expected. After the Yankees signed OF Randy Winn to a one-year deal after the '09 season, Damon's career in the Bronx was ended.

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Free agent outfielder Johnny Damon lists the Atlanta Braves as one of the top teams he'd like to play for in 2010. But which Damon would Braves fans get? The clean-cut Johnny or the scruffy one? Damon's career has, like his look, been one of constant change.

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