Johnny B. Not Done Yet

So, Johnny Damon came into this season off an extremely disappointing 2007 that led many Yankees fans to believe that his best days were long behind him, he was no longer equipped to play the bulk of a 162 game load in the OF, and the 4-year contract he was given was a huge mistake.

He didn't start off too hot in '08, but lately he's been doing more than hold his own at the top of the lineup. It's funny becuase Damon has been so insistent in the press on the fact that when he hits, the whole lineup hits. It seems like an egotistical stance to take as a player that's never been a middle-of-the-order, run producing masher. However, it seems to ring true for this particular Yankees lineup, as his success at the plate has frequently corresponded to the team's victories thus far this season.

When Damon is on base, Jeter becomes the ideal #2 hitter, evinced by his performance in the 1st inning of today's game. Following Damon's leadoff hustle double, Jeter's uncanny ability to hit the ball the other way was imminently useful and important, as his inside-outing a ground ball to second base got Johnny to 3rd with only one out. The fact that Abreu delivered an RBI single is important, not so much because a Yankee hitter finally drove in a runner in scoring position.

The lineup, since its current composition lacks the depth, lacks the threats from top to bottom, must operate differently than how Yankees fans are used to over the last few years. With A-Rod and Posada subtracted and Giambi and Cano performing as if they're as injured as the previously mentioned pair, the lineup goes from containing an intimidating presence from 1-9, to only making that boast from 1-5.

Giving those 2-5 hitters a chance to create as many runs as possible is Damon's job. Today, he did that in spades, even creating a few runs of his own with his upper-tank bomb. His value, however, now increases when the team can't rely on the bottom of the order to come up with consecutive hits, consecutive walks, or baserunners in general. When some combination of Morgan Ensberg, Alberto Gonzalez, Shelley Duncan and the Jose Molina/Chad Moeller Monster are the bottom of the lineup, Damon's success becomes more vital. He has to be on base so that the actual productive major leaguers left in the starting lineup have a chance to drive him in.

Jeter, Abreu, Matsui and Melky seem to be the heart of the order these days, so the more opportunities they have to produce runs, the better. It's amazing, on a side note, that Melky Cabrera has become a part of that group this year. Yet his performance speaks for itself, and it seems like he's made the jump from simply a "defensive specialist" in center field to a potent threat with the stick in his hands. It's not to be completely unexpected, since his production in terms of HRs and RBIs has increased yearly over his early career, but it seems surprising considering the poor performance of his companion and allegedly more talented hitter, Robbie Cano.

Melky's success, just like his other fellow real live professional major league hitters (Jason Giambi and Robinson Cano need not apply), depends greatly on Johnny, though, and games like today make it as clear as day.