Johnny Damon, a former professional baseball player, has an estimated net worth of $60 million. His 18-season career in Major League Baseball (MLB) saw him playing for multiple teams, most notably the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, where he became an integral part of one of the sport’s most intense rivalries.
Career Earnings
Damon amassed $110 million in salary earnings throughout his career, excluding taxes and agent fees. Additionally, he earned approximately $10 million from endorsement deals.
Early Life and Background
Born November 5, 1973, at Fort Riley, Kansas, Johnny Damon came from a military family. His father, Jimmy Damon, served as an Army staff sergeant, while his mother, Yome Damon, originally from Thailand, met Jimmy while he was stationed there. Due to his father’s career, Damon moved frequently in his early years, living in Japan and Germany before the family settled in Orlando, Florida.
Damon struggled with a speech impediment during childhood and attended speech therapy for years. Despite these challenges, he developed a passion for baseball early on, playing in Little League and continuing the sport through Walker Junior High and Dr. Phillips High School. In 1992, he was named Baseball America’s top high school prospect, along with receiving Florida’s Gatorade Player of the Year award. He was also recognized on USA Today’s High School All-American team.
Professional Baseball Career
Kansas City Royals (1995-2000)
Damon was selected 35th overall in the 1992 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals. After working his way through the minor leagues, he made his MLB debut in 1995. By 2000, he led the American League (AL) in runs and stolen bases, showcasing his speed and batting prowess.
Oakland Athletics (2001)
In 2001, Damon was traded to the Oakland Athletics. Though his tenure with the A’s lasted only one season, his offensive contributions helped propel the team to a strong season.
Boston Red Sox (2002-2005)
Damon signed a four-year, $31 million contract with the Boston Red Sox in late 2001. His time in Boston was pivotal, particularly in 2004, when he helped end the team’s 86-year World Series drought. His grand slam in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS remains a defining moment in Red Sox history.
Damon’s popularity soared, and in 2002, fans voted him into the All-Star Game via the American League Final Vote.
New York Yankees (2006-2009)
In 2005, Damon made a controversial move, signing a four-year, $52 million contract with the New York Yankees. This decision was met with backlash from Red Sox fans, who viewed it as a betrayal. However, Damon thrived with the Yankees, winning his second World Series championship in 2009.
After the 2009 season, Damon entered free agency, but the Yankees declined to meet his $13 million-per-year salary demand. With the team opting for different signings, Damon left the Bronx.
Later Years: Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays, and Cleveland Indians (2010-2012)
- In 2010, Damon signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, where he achieved his 2,500th career hit.
- The Tampa Bay Rays signed him to a one-year, $5.25 million deal in 2011.
- His final MLB season came in 2012 with the Cleveland Indians, where he played on a one-year, $1.25 million contract.
From 2013 to 2015, Damon remained a free agent, expressing his desire to continue playing, but he received no contract offers. He retired with 2,769 career hits, ranking 54th on the all-time MLB hit list.
Personal Life
Damon married his high school sweetheart, Angela Vannice, in 1992, at just 19 years old. The couple had twins in 1999, but their marriage ended in divorce in 2002.
In 2004, Damon married Michelle Mangan, with whom he has six children, including another set of twins. The family resides in Windermere, Florida.
Philanthropy and Volunteer Work
Damon is actively involved in charitable work, particularly with the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization dedicated to supporting injured veterans. He attributes his strong support for the military to his father’s influence.
Political Involvement
Damon was a vocal supporter of Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election. He spoke at a Trump rally in Florida and later served on Trump’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.
In February 2021, Damon was arrested for driving under the influence in Windermere, Florida. He later claimed that the arrest was politically motivated due to his public support for Trump.
Post-Baseball Career and Reality TV Appearances
Since retiring from baseball, Damon has appeared on multiple reality television shows:
- Competed on Celebrity Apprentice (2015)
- Participated in Dancing with the Stars (2018, Season 26)
- Appeared on Below Deck Mediterranean (Seasons 4 & 5, 2019) alongside his wife
Real Estate Investments
Damon has made significant real estate investments in Florida:
- 2003: Purchased a waterfront home in Windermere for $1.15 million, later selling it in 2016 for $1.7 million.
- 2007: Bought a 4.8-acre property in Windermere for $4 million.
- Constructed a 20,000-square-foot mansion featuring:
- Nine bedrooms and 17 bathrooms
- Basketball & volleyball courts
- Two outdoor kitchens & boat dock
- Resort-style pool with swim-up bar and grotto
- A playhouse with a zip line
- Listed for sale in December 2023 for $30 million.
- Constructed a 20,000-square-foot mansion featuring:
Conclusion
Johnny Damon’s MLB career, lucrative contracts, and real estate investments have contributed to his $60 million net worth. From breaking the ‘Curse of the Bambino’ with the Red Sox to winning another World Series with the Yankees, his legacy in baseball is undeniable. Beyond the field, his philanthropic efforts, political involvement, and reality TV appearances continue to keep him in the public eye.
