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Posted on Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 7:12 a.m.

Johnny Damon defends decision to stay in Detroit; NFL owners want a longer season and more links

By Jim Knight

JOHNNY-DAMON-3.jpg

Johnny Damon says he's happy in Detroit and wants to remain with the Tigers.

Associated Press

Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy is confused as to why Detroit Tigers outfielder/designated hitter Johnny Damon declined a chance to return to the Boston Red Sox this week.

From Shaughnessy:

I keep playing this out in my head, and none of it makes any sense. Why would Damon want to stay with the moribund Tigers when he had a chance to join the Red Sox for 5 1/2 weeks of stretch-run fun?

Damon told MLive.com that it was about playing where he can be happy.

"I definitely thought long and hard about it," Damon said. "The bottom line was my happiness here and the guys here telling me this is a good place for me."

Compare videos of the Damon story. First, from the Boston Globe:

And then from MLive.com, Damon talks:

Tigers' Johnny Damon: Playing for Boston would have been '(expletive) show'

MORE BASEBALL • MLive.com: The Tigers lose lead, lose to Royals in 12 innings

NFL • Associated Press: NFL owners make push for 18-game season • MLive.com: Lions' Louis Delmas sits out practice, but should play against Browns • MLive.com: Lions' Calvin Johnson returns to practice • Detroit Free Press: Chelsea native Tony Scheffler gets to play for his favorite team

GOLF • New York Daily News: Columnist Mike Lupica says Tiger Woods is the golfer with the most to prove • SI.com: Joe Posnanski says Woods' tale is a very modern story • New York Times: Jim Furyk oversleeps, misses pro-am tee time and is disqualified

NHL • Yahoo Sports: Nicholas Cotsonika says NHL players belong in the Olympics

Comments

Forever27

Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 7:32 a.m.

Shaugnessy sounds so arrogant in that article. "Oh why, oh why would anyone ever want to play for any other team than the precious Red Sox?" He couldn't possibly fathom the idea that somebody might be happy on a different team, in a different city. Let alone Detroit. This whole ordeal with Damon really shows his true character. Whether he spends the rest of his career in Detroit or not, he's a Tiger for life.