Damon says he wants to stay

BOSTON - Johnny Damon wants to return to the Red Sox, and he hopes most of his teammates will be back, too.

Boston's long-haired leadoff hitter and center fielder can become a free agent and is expected to draw interest from some of the richest teams in baseball - perhaps even the rival New York Yankees. He hopes the Red Sox are one of those clubs.

"I fell in love with Boston so, hopefully, I'll be here for a long time," Damon said after the team's season ended yesterday with a 5-3 loss that gave the Chicago White Sox a sweep of the AL division series.

Then the free spirit whose personality endeared him to fans reeled off a list of other potential free agents he'd like to see stay with the Red Sox - first baseman Kevin Millar, third baseman Bill Mueller and relief pitcher Mike Timlin.

Damon also wants manager Terry Francona, who led the team to the 2004 World Series title and is signed through 2006 with a club option for 2007, to return. And he wants Manny Ramirez back, although the Red Sox have explored trading the left fielder to free themselves of his expensive contract, which has three years and $57 million left.

Ramirez had 45 homers and 144 RBIs this season. Batting cleanup, he was a big reason opponents couldn't pitch around David Ortiz, who had 47 homers and a major league-best 148 RBIs.

Damon said he would be "very surprised" if Ramirez, who can veto any trade, is dealt to another team.

"(Owner John) Henry is a real big numbers guy," Damon said. "He knows how good David Ortiz is with Manny hitting behind him."

Ramirez has complained periodically about the lack of privacy in baseball-mad Boston but goes about his business with a smile.

General manager Theo Epstein declined comment.

"Today is not a day to look forward," he said. "It's a day to look back and appreciate what we accomplished."

Two players in their first year with the Red Sox raved about the loose clubhouse atmosphere.

"This is the most fun I've ever had playing baseball," said second baseman Tony Graffanino, also unsigned for next year. "I'd love to come back."

His error was costly in Chicago's 5-4 win in Game 2. It helped extend the fifth inning long enough for Tadahito Iguchi to hit a three-run homer that gave Chicago a 5-4 lead. Graffanino repeatedly blamed himself for the loss but got a loud ovation when he was introduced before Friday's game.

"I was moved beyond belief," he said. "Probably, if I allowed it to happen, I would have cried."

Even pitcher David Wells, who has played for seven other teams, raved about the team's easygoing mood.

"It's probably one of the greatest clubhouses I've ever been in," he said. "It's stupid how much fun it is."

By HOWARD ULMAN

The Associated Press