Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Welcome to the relaunched This Day in Yankees History. We may be well into hot stove season, but there’s still some time to dig into the history books. These daily posts will highlight two or three key moments in Yankees history on a given date, as well as recognize players born on the day. Hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane with us!
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15 years ago
After spending four years with the division rival Red Sox, the Yankees officially introduce their new 32 year-old (and clean shaven) outfielder, Johnny Damon, to the media. Damon signed a four-year, $52 million deal to play centerfield and bat leadoff in the Bronx. He would spend 2006-09 in pinstripes, as he hit .285/.363/.458 while taking advantage of the short porch in right field with 77 homers in a Yankees uniform. That total included a career-high 24 in both 2006 and 2009, when he was also a vital member of that championship team.