What is Johnny Damon's net worth and salary?
Johnny Damon is an American professional baseball player who has a net worth of $60 million. With a career spanning 18 seasons, Johnny Damon played for several teams, most notably the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees, becoming a pivotal figure in one of sports' greatest rivalries.
Damon's career began with the Kansas City Royals in 1995, where his speed and hitting prowess quickly made him a standout player. His ability to hit for average and power, combined with exceptional base-running skills, set him apart. In 2001, he signed with the Oakland Athletics, contributing significantly to their success.
However, it was his time with the Boston Red Sox, starting in 2002, that defined his legacy. Damon was a key player in the historic 2004 team that broke the 'Curse of the Bambino', helping the Red Sox win their first World Series in 86 years. His grand slam in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS remains a highlight of his career.
In a surprising move, Damon signed with the New York Yankees in 2006, further entrenching his status in MLB lore. He won another World Series with the Yankees in 2009, showcasing his clutch hitting and smart play.
Throughout his career, Damon was known for his charismatic personality and distinctive long-haired appearance, making him a fan favorite. He finished his career with over 2,700 hits, a testament to his consistency and talent.
Career Earnings
During his career, Johnny Damon earned $110 million in salary alone before taxes. He earned an additional $10 million from endorsements, again before taxes and various other fees.
Early Life
Damon was born on November 5, 1973, at Fort Riley, a U.S. Army post in Kansas, as his father, Jimmy Damon, was an Army staff sergeant. His mother, Yome, is from Thailand originally and met Jimmy while he was stationed in Thailand. During the early years of his life, Damon moved frequently due to his father's job and lived in Japan and Germany before settling in Orlando, Florida just before Damon began school.
Damon struggled with a stutter throughout much of his childhood and attended speech therapy. He started playing baseball in Little League and continued playing at Walker Junior High before attending Dr. Phillips High School as a senior. There, he was rated the top high school prospect by Baseball America in the country in 1992. The same year he was also named the Florida Gatorade Payer of the Year and was named to USA Today's High School All-American team. Damon wasn't exclusively focused on baseball, however, also running track and playing football while in high school.
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Professional Career
Damon was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 1992 draft, the 35th overall pick in the first round. However, he first started playing in the minor league with the Wichita Wranglers and didn't make his MLB debut with the Royals until 1995. He played for the Royals from 1995 to 2000, leading the American League during the 2000 season in runs and stolen bases.
In 2001, Damon was traded to the Oakland Athletics, where he spent one season before signing a four-year $31 million contract with the Boston Red Sox in late 2001. He led the American League in infield hits and helped the Red Sox win their first World Series championship since 1918 in the 2004 season. From the 2002 through the 2005 seasons, Damon's time with the Red Sox was largely successful and He also became a fan favorite in Boston, as the fans selected him in the American League's All-Star Final Vote in 2002.
The Red Sox offered Damon a three-year contract following the conclusion of their previous four-year deal, but Damon instead chose to sign a four-year $52 million deal with the New York Yankees in 2005. This choice was heavily criticized by Red Sox fans, who saw the move as something of a betrayal, considering Damon's self-professed loyalty to the city of Boston. However, Damon went on to have a successful career with the Yankees, helping the team defeat the Red Sox multiple times in the subsequent seasons and winning his second World Series as a New York Yankee in 2009.
Damon then entered free agency after the 2009 World Series win, as the Yankees refused to meet his contract demands of paying him at least $13 million per season, pursuant to his previous four-year deal. Because the Yankees ultimately signed other players instead, Damon signed a one-year contract for $8 million with the Detroit Tigers. With the Tigers, Damon recorded his 2,500th career hit.
Once again a free agent at the end of the 2010 season, Damon then signed a one-year $5.25 million deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. The following season, he signed a one-year minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians for $1.25 million for the 2012 season. This proved to be the last season that Damon would play in an MLB game, as he entered free agency from 2013 to 2015 but did not receive any offers to play despite his willingness to do so. Damon finished his MLB career with 2,769 hits, earning him the 54th spot on the List of Major League Baseball career hit leaders.
Personal Life
Damon married his high school sweetheart, Angela Vannice, in 1992 at the age of 19. The couple had twins together in 1999 but later divorced in 2002. Two years later, in 2004, Damon married Michelle Mangan. Damon and Mangan had six children together, including another set of twins. The couple live together in Windermere, Florida.
Damon stays active with volunteer work through the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that is dedicated to raising money and awareness for injured veterans. He has stated that his relationship with his father helped him develop a deep sense of appreciation for the military.
Damon was also a vocal supporter of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump during the 2016 American presidential election. He spoke at a Florida Donald Trump rally in 2016 and later served on a Trump-created council on sports, fitness, and nutrition. In February of 2021, Damon was arrested for driving while intoxicated in Windermere, Florida. Damon claimed that the arrest was related to his support of former president Trump.
In the years since finishing his MLB career, Damon has been in and out of the spotlight, competing in a number of reality shows. In 2014, he was a contestant on the 2015 season of Celebrity Apprentice. He also competed in the 26th season of Dancing with the Stars, partnering with professional dancer Emma Slater. However, he was eliminated during the first episode. In 2019, Damon also appeared on the 4th and 5th seasons of "Below Deck Mediterranean" along with his wife, as the couple appeared as guests on a charter yacht.
Florida Mansions
In 2003, Johnny paid $1.15 million for a waterfront home in Windermere, Florida. He sold this home in 2016 for $1.7 million. Here is a video tour of this home:
In 2007, Johnny paid $4 million for a 4.8-acre property in Windermere. He proceeded to construct what became a 20,000 square foot, nine-bedroom, 17-bathroom mansion. Construction was completed in 2010. Located in a gated and guarded private community called The Reserve of Lake Butler Sound, the home has 540 feet of water frontage on the outside and all the most high-end features on the inside. There's a basketball court, volleyball court, two outdoor kitchens, boat dock, resort-style pool with swim-up bar and grotto, a playhouse with a zip line… among many other luxurious features. Johnny listed this home for sale in December 2023 for $30 million. Here is a video tour:
