Johnny Damon Is an A-Rod Supporter

Since Joe Torre's tell-all book, The Yankee Years, was leaked a bit early, we've seen tons of fallout. There have been back-and-forth arguments all over the blogging community about whether or not Torre was within his rights to do this, David Wells has taken Torre to task, while several other players and former players have attempted to avoid answering questions on the topic.

Alex Rodriguez Controversies

Former manager Joe Torre's new book, 'The Yankee Years', has only added to Alex Rodriguez's tumultuous stay with the Yankees. In the book, Torre claims A-Rod was known by teammates as "A-Fraud" and paints him as mentally fragile. Click through to relive other controversies during his time in New York.

Ezra Shaw, Getty Images

A change of heart by Alex Rodriguez, right, over which team to play for at the WBC has put him in the middle of another firestorm.

Kena Betancur, AP

The New York tabloids had a field day after the Yankees star was allegedly caught with a "mystery blonde" at the end of May last season.

New York Post

Many called this May 22 slide into the Red Sox's Dustin Pedroia to break up a double play dirty.

Nick Laham, Getty Images

Alex Rodriguez arrived in New York in 2004 after a trade with the Rangers and announced he was willing to play third as a symbolic olive branch to Derek Jeter, who he blasted in an interview.

Gregory Bull, AP

Rodriguez temporarily endeared himself to teammates and Yankee fans by slugging it out in 2004 with Jason Varitek of the hated Boston Red Sox.

Winslow Townson, AP

A-Rod's awkward slap that knocked the ball from Bronson Arroyo's glove in the 2004 ALCS enhanced his reputation as a player who folded in the clutch.

Amy Sancetta, AP

Things have been frosty for A-Rod and Jeter since Rodriguez dissed his buddy by saying Jeter was "never your concern" when facing the Yankees.

Tony Gutierrez, AP

Despite being named AL MVP (48 homers, 130 RBI) in 2005, Yankee fans called out A-Rod by saying many of his homers came in meaningless situations.

Morry Gash, AP

Tuesday, Johnny Damon decided it was time to stand up for the alleged "A-Fraud," Alex Rodriguez, and he did that and more.

"[A-Rod] is just a great guy who works harder than anybody," Damon added. "Alex is one of the greatest players ever, and I would put my odds on him to win another MVP this year."

Damon also referred to Rodriguez as a "great teammate." Needless to say, he hearts A-Rod. I wonder if there will be more "single white female" type obsessions in that new locker room -- this time with A-Rod himself playing the Bridget Fonda role?

On a serious note, it's good to see teammates standing up for each other in the face of these accusations. I'm a huge fan of Derek Jeter -- one of the few in the free blogging world -- but sometimes he's a bit too much of a politician. Simply stating, "I support him," all the time just comes off as PR work. I understand you don't want to go into too much detail with locker room goings-on, but it wouldn't hurt for more teammates to say something more supportive, like Damon did Tuesday night.

If Torre's accusations about A-Rod's self-esteem are true, he certainly needs comments of this nature.