Mike Lupica suddenly loves Johnny Damon.

I clearly remember when the Yankees signed Damon, Lupica praised the Red Sox for obtaining Coco Crisp -- "same player for 1/3rd the price," or something to that effect.

During Damon's Yankee career, Lupica endlessly ripped Damon's age and Damon's arm.

Now that Damon is leaving the Yankees, check it out:

"If the Yankees aren’t trying to drive down the price on Johnny Damon the way they did last season with Andy Pettitte — another time when they talked about a 'budget' that is about as real as the Loch Ness Monster — they are going to miss Damon next season.

They are going to miss a perfect No. 2 hitter for their team.

They are going to miss the pop in his bat.

And they are going to miss the kind of winning ballplayer that you don’t just let walk out the door.

Other than that, I guess they’ll pretty much be fine."

They will be fine, though I detect irony in your tone.


Are you unaware that the Yankees acquired Curtis Granderson? Who will bat second for the Yankees?

Granderson has more speed, more power, and a better arm. Granderson is a much better fielder. Granderson is a lot younger and a lot less expensive.


Oh, and by the way, the Yankees are the reigning Champions.


"Curtis Granderson was saying the other day that not only are he and Joe Girardi both Chicago guys, but they both like Italian food and right away I was thinking: Boy, what are the odds?"

Very good journalism.

Entering Yankees get ripped. Exiting Yankees get praised.

Zzzzzzzzz.

Lupica, you really need a new thing.


"If Jason Bay is the Mets’ left fielder next season, he makes them a better baseball team.

And they’re not offering the moon to get him.

And so I guess my question to Mets fans is:

One more thing on Tiger: If his sponsorship with Accenture was supposed to be such a big deal for it and a crushing loss for it — how come I have no idea after all these years what Accenture DOES?"

"My question to Mets fans is:"

Your question to Mets fans is: "how come I have no idea after all these years what Accenture DOES?"


Okay, okay, I'm sure that's just a misprint/editing goof. Lupica really had a question for Mets fans. I'm sure it was very enlightening, such as, "Who's going to pitch the ball for your team?"

Because Mike Lupica noticed the Mets don't have a deep starting staff.

Because Mike Lupica is New York's premier sportswriter.



See, the Yankees are going to sign Bay.

So, as long as Lupica thinks Bay is going to the Mets, Lupica will praise Bay. Lupica probably voted Bay for AL MVP last season.

But as soon as Bay signs with the Yankees, Lupica will find twenty reasons to dislike Bay.