OK, that’s not exactly what Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon said today, when he spoke to Red Sox radio affiliate WEEI about David Ortiz’s steroid situation.  In fact, he vouched for the integrity of his old teammate, saying he came away with a strong impression that Ortiz had no clue his name appeared on the 2003 steroid list, even though players who had tested positive were supposed to be notified posthaste.

Our first thought?

Damon wants in.

Consider: his contract expires in 2010, and he’s having a heck of a year.  Even before he hit his 20th dinger last night, Damon had surpassed his home run total from all of last season.  (Yes, Yankee Stadium as it now stands is kind of a bandbox, but his OBP–one of Damon’s historical strengths–is comparable to last year.)  The Yankees are unlikely to have a spot for Damon, especially given that at some point, Derek Jeter is going to need to move to the outfield.  He would make a lot of sense for the Sox, especially if he were willing to take a bit of a discount, and especially depending what happens to Jason Bay.

Johnny could have retired as a Red Sox (what’s the singular? We have no idea. Never have. Long argument.), and spent the rest of his life dining out on his Game 7 grand slam and his amazing hair.  He picked a little more money and a few more years over loyalty to the rivalry, and to New York he went.

Please don’t misunderstand: UPH is incredibly impressed with Damon’s forthrightness and loyalty here, and he’s going to hear it from the fans in New York even more than he already has, and as we recall it wasn’t the easiest transition.  We’re not discounting that.  But we also think that maybe, just maybe, he might have been regretting his pecuniary decision.

Especially since he had to change his hair.