Even though it never appeared that the Boston Red Sox were really ever in the A.J. Burnett sweepstakes, they may not have had a chance due to some remarks to him from New York Yankees OF Johnny Damon.
“They had some banter back and forth and developed a relationship,” the official said of Burnett and Damon. “It’s over the last couple of years, just chatting.
“Johnny talked to A.J. about New York, the differences between New York and Boston, how he views it. Johnny couldn’t be happier here and he communicated those thoughts to A.J. I know at one point he told A.J. about dealing with New York and told him, ‘Be accountable. If you’re accountable, you’ll be fine. Don’t fear the media unless you give them a reason.’
“I know on a couple of occasions, Johnny said to him, ‘You don’t have anything to worry about.'”
If you remember back to 2005, Damon spurned the Red Sox for the riches of New York so it’s no surprise that Damon would tell Burnett to come to New York.
For the record Johnny, you haven’t won a playoff series in New York. And by the way, the Red Sox won another World Series title in 2007. So as Fitzy would say, GFY.
