Introduction
In this article, we will delve into the life and career of Johnny Damon, a renowned American professional baseball player. We will explore Johnny Damon’s net worth, his impressive career, and his personal life. Let’s begin by discussing his net worth.
Johnny Damon’s Net Worth and Salary
Johnny Damon, a talented baseball player, has amassed a net worth of $40 million throughout his career. Known for his exceptional skills on the field, Damon played for seven Major League Baseball (MLB) teams, most notably the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. He actively participated in professional baseball from 1995 to 2012.
Career Earnings
During his illustrious career, Johnny Damon earned an impressive $110 million in salary alone, before taxes. In addition to his salary, he generated an extra $10 million from endorsements, again before taxes and various other fees.
Early Life
Johnny Damon was born on November 5, 1973, at Fort Riley, a U.S. Army post in Kansas. His father, Jimmy Damon, served as an Army staff sergeant. Damon’s mother, Yome, hails from Thailand and met Jimmy while he was stationed there. Due to his father’s military obligations, Damon moved frequently during his early years, residing in Japan and Germany before finally settling in Orlando, Florida, shortly before starting school.
Damon faced challenges with a stutter throughout his childhood and sought speech therapy to overcome it. He discovered his passion for baseball during his time in little league and continued playing at Walker Junior High. Eventually, he attended Dr. Phillips High School, where he gained recognition as the top high school prospect in the country in 1992, according to Baseball America. That same year, Damon received the prestigious Florida Gatorade Player of the Year award and was honored as a member of USA Today’s High School All-American team. Despite his focus on baseball, Damon also participated in track and football during his high school years.
Professional Career
Damon’s professional journey commenced when he was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the first round of the 1992 draft, as the 35th overall pick. He initially played in the minor leagues with the Wichita Wranglers before making his MLB debut with the Royals in 1995. Damon represented the Royals from 1995 to 2000, leading the American League in runs and stolen bases during the 2000 season.
In 2001, Damon joined the Oakland Athletics after being traded by the Royals. He spent one season with the Athletics before signing a lucrative four-year, $31 million contract with the Boston Red Sox in late 2001. Damon’s time with the Red Sox proved highly successful, and he played a crucial role in helping the team secure their first World Series championship since 1918 during the 2004 season. From 2002 to 2005, he continued to impress as a member of the Red Sox and gained popularity among the fans. In fact, he was selected by the fans for the American League’s All-Star Final Vote in 2002.
After the conclusion of his previous four-year contract with the Red Sox, Damon received a three-year contract offer from the team. However, he made a surprising move by signing a four-year, $52 million deal with the New York Yankees in 2005. This decision drew criticism from Red Sox fans who perceived it as a betrayal, considering Damon’s professed loyalty to Boston. Nevertheless, Damon enjoyed a successful career with the Yankees, helping them triumph over the Red Sox on multiple occasions and winning his second World Series as a New York Yankee in 2009.
Following the Yankees’ refusal to meet his contract demands, Damon entered free agency after the 2009 World Series victory. Eventually, he signed a one-year contract worth $8 million with the Detroit Tigers. It was with the Tigers that Damon achieved his 2,500th career hit.
At the end of the 2010 season, Damon entered free agency once again and signed a one-year, $5.25 million deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. The subsequent season saw him sign a one-year minor league contract worth $1.25 million with the Cleveland Indians for the 2012 season. Unfortunately, this would be Damon’s final season in the MLB, as he entered free agency from 2013 to 2015 but did not receive any offers to continue playing, despite his willingness to do so. Damon concluded his remarkable MLB career with 2,769 hits, securing him the 54th spot on the List of Major League Baseball career hit leaders.
Personal Life
Johnny Damon married his high school sweetheart, Angela Vannice, in 1992 when he was just 19 years old. The couple welcomed twins in 1999 but later divorced in 2002. In 2004, Damon married Michelle Mangan, and together they have six children, including another set of twins. They currently reside in Windermere, Florida.
Damon actively engages in volunteer work through the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness for injured veterans. His father’s military background greatly influenced Damon’s deep appreciation for the military.
Moreover, Damon openly expressed his support for former presidential candidate Donald Trump during the 2016 American presidential election. He delivered a speech at a Donald Trump rally in Florida in 2016 and subsequently served on a Trump-created council focused on sports, fitness, and nutrition. In February 2021, Damon faced legal trouble when he was arrested for driving while intoxicated in Windermere, Florida. Damon claimed that his arrest was related to his support of former President Trump.
Since retiring from professional baseball, Damon has made appearances in various reality shows. In 2014, he participated in the 2015 season of Celebrity Apprentice. Additionally, Damon competed in the 26th season of Dancing with the Stars, where he was partnered with professional dancer Emma Slater. Unfortunately, he was eliminated during the first episode. In 2019, Damon and his wife appeared as guests on a charter yacht during the fourth and fifth seasons of Below Deck Mediterranean.
Conclusion
Johnny Damon, with his exceptional talent and dedication, has established himself as one of the most successful baseball players of his time. Through his impressive career, he earned a net worth of $40 million, contributing to his status as one of the wealthiest athletes in baseball. While his journey in professional baseball has come to an end, Damon continues to leave his mark through his charitable endeavors and appearances in the media.
