Damon's masterpiece one for the ages

"Mr. October? Well, what did he do in November?"

In a case of what-have-you-done-for-me-lately, the term "October baseball" continues to lose its once passionate luster to the more modern tag "November baseball." Top-notch play in October means nothing, if that performance fails to carry into the winter months. In the wake of the tragedies of 9/11, the baseball playoffs were forced into the far-off, almost taboo, realm of November. It was then when Derek JeterDerek Jeter, who with his clutch performances using both leather and wood, began to mimic the stylings of the great Reggie JacksonReggie Jackson. They couldn't call him Mr. October, that was in the past. Enter Mr. November. Jeter would go down as a unique piece of history since the Series most likely need not be played in November again.

In these 2009 playoffs, Jeter is in danger of losing that crown, and possibly to a teammate. As the cool, crisp November breeze blew through Citizen's Bank Park in the 9th inning of game 4, Phillies closer Brad LidgeBrad Lidge was 2 outs into a breeze of his own, until 35-year-old Johnny DamonJohnny Damon strode to the plate. Damon's playful demeanor does not resemble that of someone who is worthy of a "month" tag, nor of someone who cares. Almost always displaying a smile, Damon still yearns to win, to be on top, to be a champion. The accolades can be saved for someone else. This 9th inning at-bat was Damon at his best, his eyes burning a hole through Lidge's glove as he waited, and waited, patiently, until he saw something he liked. Wasted pitch after wasted pitch, this classic showdown had more folks in the stands holding their breath with each wind-up. Finally, a two-out, dying quail (you've got to love baseball lingo) into the outfield.

Damon, however, was not finished. A single was not good enough, he felt. One pitch into the following at-bat, he took off for second base, and who did he see upon arrival? Third baseman, Pedro FelizPedro Feliz. His eyes lit up again at the sight of a glaringly unattended hot corner, and he decided he'll take that base, too. After beaning Mark TeixeiraMark Teixeira, Lidge allowed Alex Rodriguez to crush his offering into the left-field corner, and then allowed Jorge PosadaJorge Posada to do the same, this time toward the gap in left-center.

When the smoke had cleared, the Yankees were on top by three runs with no need to look back, as Mariano RiveraMariano Rivera came in to close the book. None of it would have been possible, however, without Damon's historic battle. If asked after this clutch November performance he feels that he's the new "Mr. November," I think he'd flash that gritty smile and reply, "Just call me Mr. Damon."