DETROIT, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Detroit Tigers outfielder Johnny Damon said Tuesday he has blocked a move by the Boston Red Sox to claim him off waivers.
Damon said he invoked the no-trade clause in his one-year deal with Tigers and has opted the stay with the team rather than return to his former club, whom he helped lead to a 2004 World Series championship.
"I knew this was going to be a tough decision," he told MLB.com, "but I just wanted to be 100 percent sure this is the right thing for me."
Damon had until 1:30 p.m. Wednesday to make a decision and decided to stay with the Tigers after talking to his teammates, Tigers General Manager Dave Dombrowski, Assistant GM Al Avila and Manager Jim Leyland.
He also said he talked with former Red Sox teammates David "Big Papi" Ortiz and Jason Varitek, whom he said lobbied for him to return.
"I would've loved to have gone back and played with Big Papi and Varitek, but that time has come and passed," Damon told the Web site.
