Johnny Damon, Drawn to the Dark Side

You know, I really enjoyed watching Johnny Damon play center field for the Red Sox these past four years. His defensive skills, except for his below-average throwing arm, were incredibly impressive. His bat was incredible some years, like 2005, and fair others, like 2003. But he was definitely a fan favorite.

I would have been upset if Johnny had jumped to another team, but I would understand. I would have been really upset if, several years down the road, he had ended up playing for the Yankees, but I would have gotten over it. But to be drawn to the Dark Side, months after playing four years with the Red Sox, fighting the Evil Empire in so many classic battles...

To be a true Red Sox player, one must have a true understanding of the rivalry. One must have a sense of right and wrong. A sense of good vs. evil.

Johnny Damon was a hero to many in Red Sox Nation. He had a cult following. He was an icon. But so was Anakin Skywalker, before he was lured to the Dark Side by greed. Mr. Damon sold his services to the highest bidder. I thought Johnny was beyond that. Apparently not.

I have never been more disappointed in a baseball player in my life. Johnny Damon, a Yankee. How can it be so? Who would have guessed? But some people are not strong enough to resist the Dark Side. Luke Skywalker resisted, but it wasn't easy. George Bailey almost accepted a job from Mr. Potter in It's A Wonderful Life, but good won out. In Stephen King's The Stand, the whole story was about those who would give in to the Dark Side of Randall Flagg, and those who chose a harder life and to follow Mother Abigail and the side of Good.

Johnny is siding with Emperor Palpatine, Mr. Potter and Randall Flagg. He is choosing the easy way out, the evil way. But evil does not always win out. It seems to me that Johnny will someday see the error of his ways, but, by then, it may be too late.