Damon's Comments Out Of Line

When a borderline Hall-of-Fame starting pitcher needing roughly 15-20 more wins to ensure enshrinement in Cooperstown offers to return from injury as a relief pitcher to help his team's struggling bullpen in a pennant race it should be applauded by the masses who have been overexposed to selfish, me-first ball players for the last two generations. The announcement that Curt Schilling will return to the Red Sox after the All-Star Game in a relief role has generated a lot of positive reviews in Boston in the last 24-hours. Some believe it will save the season, others think they need him to start but most all are in agreement that Schilling has only winning in mind in making the move. Most all. Just not his teammate Johnny Damon. In today's Boston Globe, Damon said that, "You've got a lot of upset people in here," in reference to Schilling getting the closer's job. ''I think Bronson [Arroyo] or Timlin are the choice as the closer. Mike Timlin deserves to be it." I understand Damon supporting Timlin. He is a great set-up man and the natural procession is from set-up to starter. But Timlin is 39-years-old and being a top notch set-up man is his role on the team. Why take him out of a role that he excels at when the team needs him most? Keeping Timlin as the bridge to the closer keeps things in place for when Keith Foulke (or an alternative closer) returns to the lineup and Schilling returns to the rotation. Damon is way off track on this one. If Schilling were as selfish as Damon is being in this situation than he would return to the rotation at (at best) 80% of his ability and let the bullpen blow up the 2005 season. Hopefully Johnny will change his tune and support a teammate who is making a decision based on an organization and not himself.