The New York Yankees held a news conference Friday to introduce centerfielder Johnny Damon, who has signed a four-year contract worth a reported $52 million. Damon spent the previous four years with the arch-rival Boston Red Sox and had been as well-known for his long hair and beard in addition to his All-Star caliber skills. He donned a Yankee pinstripe jersey in front of the assembled media and showed off his new clean-cut look. "What do you guys think about this?" Damon asked while rubbing his chin. "I know it was a pretty big story. I am proud to be a New York Yankee and to follow in this long tradition that they do have." Damon will be the newest in a long line of players to roam the hallowed grounds of center field in Yankee Stadium, following in the footsteps of Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and most-recently Bernie Williams. Williams re-signed with the Yankees earlier this week and is expected to play the role of designated hitter and backup outfielder. The 32-year-old Damon, regarded as probably the best free-agent centerfielder and leadoff man on the market, hit .316 with 10 homers, 75 RBI, 117 runs scored and 18 stolen bases last season. He was offered salary arbitration by the Red Sox, but declined Monday night and said it wasn't just money that drove him to New York. "There was a mystery team that was offering more years and more guaranteed money, but they could not guarantee winning like the New York Yankees can," Damon added. "That's the biggest reason why I'm here because we will win." The deal came together on Tuesday and Damon intimated that Boston's offer just wasn't good enough. "I knew I became a free agent after I got the three-year offer from Boston and I valued myself in a much better position, especially in that market," Damon stated. "When you have a [Yankee GM] Brian Cashman come after you...he came after me very positively and he put the Yankees in the forefront and did all the right things and that's why I stand in front of you today as a New York Yankee." For his career, Damon has compiled a .290 average with 130 homers and 700 RBI, along with 281 steals and a .353 on-base percentage. In addition to his four years in Boston, he also played six years with the Kansas City Royals (1995-2000) and one with Oakland (2001). Damon's arrival in New York will only further enhance an already powerful lineup that features Derek Jeter, Gary Sheffield, Hideki Matsui, Jason Giambi and reigning AL MVP Alex Rodriguez. "These pitchers that have to face our team, they don't have any breathing room," Damon said about the team's offensive potential. "It's a very exciting team." Damon has topped 100 runs scored and 30 doubles in each of the last eight seasons. From June 10-July 17 last season he recorded a 29-game hitting streak, the fourth-longest in Red Sox history. It was in 2004 that Damon helped the Red Sox cap a historical comeback in the American League Championship Series against the Yankees. He cracked a grand slam and a two-run homer in Boston's 10-3 win in Game 7, as the Red Sox became the first team to win the final four games after dropping the first three of a best-of-seven set. Boston went on to win the World Series by sweeping St. Louis, ending the team's 86-year title drought. Damon, though, had no allegiance to Boston once he became a free agent. "This team really wanted me," Damon remarked about the pursuit by the Yankees. "I'm going to go out there and run through walls for them, and hit and score lots of runs and bring another championship to New York."