Morning Bits: Teixeira, Granderson, Gardner, Bernie, Leslie, Damon

We start the day with the usual, a fistful of news items for your reading pleasure:

• Dave Cameron compares two of the best first basemen in the game—Adrian Gonzalez and Mark Teixeira.
• Yesterday, a few Pirates told Curtis Granderson that he looks good in pinstripes (I hope it wasn’t awkward).
• The guys at NoMaas continue to takeover of the interview circuit, bringing us an exchange with Brett Gardner.
• Speaking of bald outfielders, our old friend, Bernie Williams, just cannot bring himself to say that he is retired.
• Random item here, but the Yanks have signed Myron Leslie, a former Oakland farmhand turned Can-Am star.
• Our buddy, Johnny Damon, admits that it was more difficult to leave Boston than it was to leave the Bronx.

Damon does not say that as a slight to New York, though. Here’s the text in full, via the B-Globe.

“Really, I loved what we did in Boston, bringing a championship to that city after 86 years. That was so special.’’

Which is why, when asked what was tougher on him – the end of his career in Boston or the end of his career in New York – he didn’t hesitate.

“I think after the Red Sox career was over,’’ Damon said. “This offseason, I kind of knew going into it that it was going to be difficult, given the market and the economy.

“With the Red Sox, I didn’t want to leave. But when it came down to it, I told the Red Sox what was out there, and $12 million more was tough to turn down.

“I loved being with the Red Sox and I loved being with the Yankees. I didn’t want either to end, really, but it’s just something I have to accept.

“I’m happy I ended up in Detroit. I know a lot of the guys here and this is a team that came one game from making the playoffs, so we’re going to be a very competitive team.’’

He did great things with both teams, but Boston’s WS win in ’04 was particularly special. I get it and it’s okay.

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