BOSTON -- Red Sox Nation went into mourning Wednesday upon hearing the news that the team's shaggy-haired center fielder, Johnny Damon, is defecting to the arch-rival New York Yankees.

Damon is reportedly accepting a $52 million, four-year deal from the Yankees, $12 million more than his last offer from the Red Sox, whose management greeted the announcement with surprise.

Sox owner John Henry said Damon never allowed Boston to make a counter-offer. Red Sox president Larry Lucchino said the team was notified of the switch at 11:55 p.m. Tuesday.

During an afternoon news conference, Lucchino and his two co-general managers talked about Damon's move, saying that the popular player may have been pressured to make a decision because of some kind of deadline imposed by the Yankees.

"Hindsight is 20-20 and it's easy to look back and say we might have done this and we might have done that had we known. I think it's fair to say we wanted Johnny Damon … We were disappointed we were not able to sign him," Lucchino said, adding that the Sox front office had been "eager" to re-sign Damon.

Team officials tried to reassure fans that plans were in the works to rebuild the team that now has only four of its World Series team players left on the roster.

"Damon was a fantastic player for us for four years and I think we're disappointed he won't be playing center field for us … but it doesn't mean the Sox aren't going to be very good this year," co-general manager Jed Hoyer said.

Team officials acknowledged that they had been looking at other center fielders before Damon made his jump, but they said they had an obligation to do that given that Damon was a free agent and there was always a possibility he might leave.

Damon, 32, must still pass a physical before the Yankees deal is official. Last year he led Boston with a .316 batting average. He had 197 hits and scored 117 runs.

The scruffy, bearded fan favorite who dubbed the team a bunch of "idiots" when they won the 2004 World Series -- their first in 86 years -- will have to report for Yankees' training camp clean-shaven and shorn. George Steinbrenner's rules ban beards and long hair.

But Damon said Steinbrenner pursued him aggressively and, although he thought Boston had some of the greatest fans in the world, he said it was time to "move forward."

Damon will hit at the top of a strong New York lineup that includes Derek Jeter, Gary Sheffield, AL MVP Alex Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui and Jason Giambi.

His agent, Scott Boras, had been asking for a seven-year contract for Damon, who will now make $13 million a year.

WEEI sports radio host Larry Johnson said the Sox lost Damon because they misread the cards that were on the table.

"How did it happen? The Red Sox decided to play a game of poker with Scott Boras and Scott Boras called the Red Sox and said we have a deal on the table from the Yankees, what do you think? And the Red Sox said, 'We think you're bluffing,' and that's what happened. Bluffing? We'll show you we're bluffing. And he went to the Yankees. There could be no whining or complaining that Johnny Damon was a greedy, money ballplayer -- why didn't he take the hometown discount? The reality is, this is what happens when you have general manager by committee," Johnson said.

Damon won the affection of Boston fans with his happy-go-lucky attitude during the 2003 and 2004 pursuits of a World Series trophy. That ebullience, and his shaggy appearance, won him Gillette shaving contracts and underwear sponsorships, as well as the enduring loyalty of many female admirers.

Lucchino acknowledged that Damon had contributed much to the team.

"It's disappointing losing Johnny Damon. He was a great contributor to the success of this club. He was signed in 2001 and has been a team leader, an offensive force, a cult figure … he's been in some ways the personification of the franchise and we will miss him. We are fortunate that we got four of his best years as a big leaguer and we're grateful for that," Lucchino said.

Columnist and radio host Steve Buckley listened to fans grapple with the reality of Damon in Yankee pinstripes.

"All I know is I am pessimistic at this point about the Red Sox as a team competing for division, competing for the playoffs next year," Sean in Natick, Mass., said.

On the streets around Fenway Park, some fans had a more nonchalant attitude.

"You know what? They can have him ... they overpaid for him," one man said.

"I don't think it's a good trade for New York, but it's business and everybody has to realize that. It's all about business and it's about money. Bottom line is, I think the Red Sox did the right thing," another said.

"It hurt. It wasn't something I wanted to see and, uh, I'm losing the faith now," a third fan said.

Meanwhile, in souvenir shops around the stadium, Damon's time was running out. No. 18 gear might soon be slashed to move the inventory out.

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