Catching Up With Johnny Damon: Food, Fun and Fond Memories

Former Boston Red Sox outfielder Johnny Damon will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

I know, I know, he went to the Yankees, but before that, he gave us some of the best Sox memories, eventually breaking the 86-year "Curse of the Bambino" with the 2004 World Series win.

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"The team we had, I mean, we're still family when we still get together," Damon said. "It's like we never left and I'm so proud of a lot of guys on that team. Many became managers, many became Hall of Famers, so it's very great to see."

A dream come true moment for any baseball player.

Johnny Damon Will Visit the SouthCoast

Now Damon is making more dreams come true, presenting scholarships to deserving students in the area.

READ MORE: Swansea Welcoming Red Sox Legend Johnny Damon for Scholarship Dinner

"Community and mentorship is so important," Damon said. "That's why I created the Johnny Damon Foundation many years ago, so I could help out local charities who really needed help."

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Locally, One SouthCoast Chamber does its part to help the community, so teaming up with Damon was a no-brainer. He'll be speaking to scholarship recipients and guests in attendance at the Celebrity Scholarship Dinner in Swansea on May 20.

"I love to see these athletes and these fans always come up to me telling me that I was their favorite. I mean, there's nothing quite like it, but they love the way that I carried myself," Damon said.

He was certainly my mom's favorite at the time, a fact that I told him while interviewing the former Sox player. I thanked him for the cherished memories, watching history be made as Sox fans everywhere rejoiced in the victory.

"All the young kids, don't understand the grief and heartache that their parents or grandparents had to endure," Damon added.

Fun Facts With Johnny Damon

I asked Damon who from that '04 team he's texted most recently.

"Kevin Millar was the last one I texted because I saw he was at the Celtics-Knicks game and he said he was gonna hit me up and guess what? Nothing," Damon said with a chuckle.

If you're wondering what food he enjoys when back in the area, I asked him that, too.

"We were just in Boston and we went to this Chinese restaurant, and it was just unbelievable," Damon said.

The restaurant is Jiang Nan and Damon raved about it so much he had to take a moment during the interview to look up the name and make sure he gave the correct recommendation.

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Dinner with Damon

On Tuesday, May 20, guests will gather at the Venus de Milo for dinner, silent auction, scholarship presentation and of course an exclusive meet-and-greet with Damon.

Ticket sales for the Celebrity Dinner with Johnny Damon have been extended through Tuesday, May 13 at 4 p.m. Use code CELEBRITY for $50 off your ticket price.

Proceeds go towards funding One SouthCoast Chamber initiatives and future scholarships.