Derek Jeter To Bat Leadoff for New York Yankees, Johnny Damon Slides to No. 2

Johnny Damon has been officially relieved of the duties of being the leadoff hitter for the New York Yankees. Who but The Captain would be the individual to step up and obtain the new vacancy? Derek Jeter will be the new Yankee number one hitter. Johnny Damon will bat second.

Damon was taken under the Yankees' wing after a successful stint with the rival Boston Red Sox. Damon was forced to shave his long beard and shear his famous locks of hair that gave him the "caveman" appearance that fans associated the 2004 curse-breaking Red Sox with all too well. He became an immediate force for the Bronx Bombers in 2006, batting .285 with 24 home runs.

Leadoff material? Didn't think so.

Heart of the order material? Anyday of the week.

Then things changed. Damon, who had never seen the DL, began to feel the effects of old age (in ballplayer's years). His back was a main point of concern for him as he concluded the season with a dismal .270 batting average and a mere 12 home runs. Beginning to outstay his welcome in the Bronx, Damon became a new hitter and contributed positively to a 2008 Yankees club that fell just short of the playoffs.

In 2008, Johnny Damon broke through, parking 17 home runs and batting at a .303 clip. He also swiped 29 bases, his best single-season total since 2003. Things were looking up.

Don't worry. There are no horrible plot twists, devastating events, or dramatic episodes associated with Johnny Damon's time in the Bronx (unlike a certain third baseman we've heard a bit too much about). Damon was like any other player when he reported to Spring Training, and Girardi struck genius by pure luck.

With Jorge Posada returning to the Yankee lineup, Girardi aimed to get him more plate appearances. To do this, he made (former) leadoff hitter Johnny Damon his number two batter, temporarily. The switch worked to perfection. With Jeter batting first and Damon hitting second, the Yankees' murderers row seemed that much more complete. The Captain would be batting first - a good example for the budding Bombers as to where a good code of morals can get you in New York, as if being Derek Jeter himself isn't enough.

This is by no means an article to express hero worship towards 'Jeet'. In fact, I think Derek Jeter is highly overrated and the fact that I am a Mets fan should be evidence enough that I am not a Derek Jeter fan. But he is a baseball player, so I respect him (as much as it may kill me).

Anyway, Derek Jeter will be the Yankees' new leadoff hitter. While last season may have been his last at .300, he remains a driven ballplayer with outstanding work ethic. Jeter is the best candidate to be the leadoff hitter for the Yankees. While Damon is good, I like him better as a number two hitter now that I've seen him there. Jeter will ignite Yankee Stadium more than a free agent acquisition. He is the 'purebred Yankee'.

The Yankee lineup will be a heterogeneously talented group of players who all have a certain knack for an aspect of hitting. Derek Jeter's aspect is putting the ball in play. That is what the prototypical leadoff hitter accomplishes. The stereotypical leadoff hitter does that with a combination of blinding speed. Of course, this isn't of necessity. Jeter may yet thrive as a leadoff hitter. Only time will tell.

The question arises whether or not Girardi is 100% serious about this. It appears he is. He called Damon down to his office to discuss the lineup change. Damon has expressed immense pride in his (now Jeter's) role as leadoff batter. Consensus is that Derek Jeter bats leadoff on Opening Day and Johnny Damon bats second, barring injuries.

Another accolade for Derek Jeter. What else is new?