Damon jumps ship from Boston to New York
NEW YORK, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Boston's beloved yet scruffy Johnny Damon agreed to jump ship to the hated, straighter-laced Yankees in a four-year, $52 million deal, reports said Wednesday.
In a single bold stroke, the Yankees fill a center field void and gain an outstanding lead-off hitter while weakening their longtime rival, Newsday reported.
"New York came after me aggressively and that's what sealed the deal," Damon told WBZ-TV, Boston, Tuesday night.
Boston had offered $40 million and Damon had complained the Red Sox were dragging their feet on a new contract, Newsday said. The $52 million Yankees' pact is subject to a physical and includes a no-trade clause.
Damon told Newsday earlier that he would cut his long hair and shave his beard for the Yankees.
"George Steinbrenner has that policy for a reason, and you have to respect that," Damon said.
Damon hit .316 in 2005 with 10 homers, 75 RBIs and 18 stolen bases in 19 attempts. He has hit .290 over his four-year career.
Daytona 500 a key to track lease talks
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Dec. 21 (UPI) -- The name of the Daytona 500 race may stay the same until at least 2054 if a clause in a new lease for the Daytona International Speedway is approved.
The Daytona Beach Racing and Recreational Facilities District, the Speedway's landlord, has included the name as a condition as it negotiates with the International Speedway Corp., the Orlando Sentinel reports.
The ISC, which has leased the 447 acres since 1957 for $10,000 a year, took an option to pay $20,000 through 2032.
It is making an offer to secure a lease through 2054 for $500,000 a year. The ISC said it wants to improve the track and nearby property.
A consultant to the district, Bob Leib, said the Daytona 500 name is widely known and keeping that would bring value to the track.
Penguins announce arena bid details
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- The Penguins will stay in Pittsburgh and get a new arena if its development team is awarded a city slot machine license for a new casino.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the NHL franchise is teaming up with Columbus, Ohio-based Nationwide Realty Investors and an unidentified gambling company to develop the $290 million, 18,000-seat arena.
The development would add office, residential and retail space to the casino and arena construction.
If approved, the gaming operator will fund the arena and construction of the 3,000-slots-only casino. The arena will be given to the city-county Sports and Exhibition Authority to operate.
The Penguins said they hope to strike a deal giving revenue from the slot machines back to the community.
The Penguins bid for the slots license is one of at least four, but the first to release details.
