Damon's new World

One of the criticisms of the World Baseball Classic is that it will rob players, particularly those on new teams, of valuable bonding time with their teammates during the laid-back, sunny days of spring training.

But Johnny Damon, the new Yankee center fielder, doesn't agree. Damon, who signed a four-year, $52 million deal this winter, never hesitated when he was invited to play, even though he knew he was facing an offseason of free agency and might not return to Boston. There is plenty of time to brew team chemistry during the season, Damon believes. Continue