BOSTON -- He's in a New York state of mind: former Red Sox center fielder Johnny Damon traded his signature hair and beard Friday for a pinstripe uniform, team officials announced.

Damon, 32, signed a $52 million four-year contract with the New York Yankees after agreeing to the deal earlier in this week.

"Today is a great day in New York. The trains are here, the buses are here, temperatures are over 20 degrees and Johnny Damon is here," New York Yankees President Randy Levine said.

Damon appeared at Yankee Stadium with his wife, Michelle, by his side. She was welcomed into the Yankee family with 18 roses -- the number her husband will wear next year.

"I am proud to be a New York Yankee and follow in this long tradition that they have. We will go out there and win. This team wanted me, and I am going to go out there and run through walls for them," Damon said. "It's a great day, and it's great to be a Yankee."

Damon insisted that his decision was not based on money, and that he was proud to be joining a winning organization.

"There was a mystery team that was offering more years, but they could not guarantee winning like the New York Yankees can. That's the biggest reason why I am here. We will win, and we have three guys at the top of our lineup. Alex called me and said, 'We are going to accomplish so many milestones together,'" Damon said.

Damon, who appeared clean-shaven with a new haircut, put on a Yankee baseball cap and jersey as he posed for pictures with members of the team's front office.

"The new style looks great. You are on Broadway, so it's your Broadway premier," New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said.

Damon, who was a member of the 2004 World Series Champion team, batted .316 last season with 10 homers and 75 RBIs with Boston.

Bernie Williams, who has been the Yankee's center fielder, was re-signed to a one-year contract.