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Johnny Damon's release by the Cleveland Indians serves as an example of just how quickly an older player can "lose it". He enjoyed a relatively successful season the year before, hitting .261 in over 500 plate appearences and notching his 400th career stolen base for the Tampa Bay Rays, primarily as a Designated Hitter. This year with Cleveland, at age 38, his performance fell off dramatically leading to his release the first week of August. Fans had speculated that Damon, with 2769 hits, might hang around long enough to get his 3,000th career hit. Now it looks like he won't have that chance.
Another 38-year-old and former all-star, Bobby Abreu had some initial success after being traded from the Los Angeles Angels to the Los Angeles Dodgers in May. He filled in well at first while Matt Kemp was on the Disabled List. Eventually however, Abreu's overall performance deteriorated a bit and he was designated for assignement about the same time that Damon was. With no takers, Abreu signed with the Dodgers (AAA) farm team and was brought back to the Dodgers when the rosters expanded Sept. 1 and he played for them yesterday, Sept. 2.
Another 38-year-old and former all-star, Bobby Abreu had some initial success after being traded from the Los Angeles Angels to the Los Angeles Dodgers in May. He filled in well at first while Matt Kemp was on the Disabled List. Eventually however, Abreu's overall performance deteriorated a bit and he was designated for assignement about the same time that Damon was. With no takers, Abreu signed with the Dodgers (AAA) farm team and was brought back to the Dodgers when the rosters expanded Sept. 1 and he played for them yesterday, Sept. 2.
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