Damon wanted to retire before '07

via S.I.:

When Johnny Damon walked out of spring training early last year, he thought he was walking away from the game, SI.com has learned

"I was just exhausted .... Burnt out,'' Damon told SI.com Tuesday. "(Retirement) definitely crossed my mind.''

Damon just wasn't sure if he wanted to keep playing and was actually seriously considering walking away from the final three years of his $52-million, four-year contract. Nobody does that, but Damon almost did.

If it weren't for Matsui's injuries last year, I would have definitely let him walk. Damn. That's so much money off the books and a mulligan on a terrible contract. Fuck. Think he'll walk after this season?!

On the upside, his late start last season was only because he didn't even want to play fucking baseball so he didn't show up to camp in shape. Asshole!