Quote: Animalman said: One could do a lot worse than having Damon as a leadoff man, that's for sure.
This is still true, but I think it's worth pointing out that as of this writing Damon's OBP is .357, and Jeter's OBP is .438. That's fairly important, although I'd expect by the end of the year for Jeter's numbers to go down a little.
In the grand scheme of things, with a lineup like the one New York has, having Damon before Jeter probably won't be the difference between winning or losing a World Series.
However, on an average scoring team(a team that scores between 700-750 runs over hte course of a regular season; well below what the Yankees usually score), a difference of nearly 100 points in on base percentage means a difference of about 25-30 runs scored, which could cost a team four or five wins, and, in a close race, a first place finish. Unquantifiable elements("luck") can alter that projection positively or negatively, but at this rate the Yankees losing at least a win or two because Damon's batting before Jeter is a mathematical certainty.
Again, though, if the Yanks play well enough to win the World Series, Damon alone probably wouldn't keep them from that goal. They'd just be more likely to win in spite of him than because of him.
