Damon Pondered Retirement Last Spring. Johnny Damon, class clown and team nude-exerciser told Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated he considered retirement after leaving camp for a few personal days.

"I was just exhausted .... Burnt out," Damon told SI.com Tuesday. "(Retirement) definitely crossed my mind." Damon, who will become the Yankees' regular leftfielder and hit in the leadoff spot, believes he is ready for a comeback season. "So this offseason, I finally was able to work out consistently... I was able to do things that this game has afforded me to do. I'm ready to go out there and prove to everybody that I'm still a pretty good player."

Bernie Retiring?

Bernie Williams appeared on the WFAN sports radio program Mike and the Mad Dog, implying he has played his last game in the major leagues. Williams cited personal reasons and being away from his family as one of the major factors of his decision.

More as it becomes available.


Betemit Signs One Year Deal

According to ESPN.com, the Yankees signed Wilson Betemit to a one year contract worth $1.16 million, thereby avoiding salary arbitration. Betemit batted .229 with 14 homeruns and 50 RBI over 121 games for the Yankees and Dodgers last season. This is a large increase in pay from the $405,000 Betemit made last year.

Pettitte Pitching in '08

ESPN.com is reporting that Andy Pettitte has decided to pitch for the Yankees in 2008, allowing the tri-state area's bomber fans to release a sigh of relief.

No word yet how this may, if at all, impact the ongoing negotiations with Johan Santana. It sure can't hurt, and may be the cause for Hankenstein's recent "deadline" announcment for Minnesota.

From the article:

Pettitte's agent, Randy Hendricks, said Monday that the 35-year-old left-hander had started telling teammates on Sunday. Hendricks then informed Yankees general manager Brian Cashman of the news.

The Houston Chronicle first reported that Pettitte would return in 2008.

"Many teammates have called urging Andy to return as well as manager Joe Girardi," Hendricks said, according to the Chronicle. "It's well known that the Yankees have publicly stated that they were ready for Andy when Andy was ready."

Sheffield Hangin' Em Up?


Gary Sheffield will be mulling over a possible shoulder surgery this off-season. He has already had untold amounts of cortisone shot into his body, and any potential steroid use would also contribute to his 38 year-old body breaking down.

When it comes time to decide whether to have offseason right shoulder surgery, Sheffield has to think of himself.

Some think Sheffield won't walk away because he has $28 million left on the table for the next two seasons. Others believe the lure of 500 career home runs or another World Series ring is too great.

They are wrong.

This is not about glory or money. It's about pain.

That's why it would come as no surprise if Sheffield retires.

Wouldn't that just be a shame. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

_


In other news:

Cubs President John McDonough squashed any rumors of an A-Rod deal being in place. The Chicago Tribune agrees.

"I laughed when I heard it - it's outrageous," McDonough said.

Added Cubs manager Lou Piniella, who managed Rodriguez in Seattle when A-Rod broke into the league: "There's no truth to that story. Do you think his agent (Scott Boras) would fall into a trap like that? He wouldn't do that."

So now that that is settled, Alex Rodriguez can focus on hitting a homerun per playoff game played this October.