FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Newly married and also the author of an upcoming book, Red Sox center fielder Johnny Damon arrived at Spring Training late Monday afternoon with his typically carefree persona.

While touching on several subjects, Damon made it clear that he hopes this isn't his last Spring Training in a Red Sox uniform. The solid leadoff man is entering the final season of the four-year, $32 million deal he struck with Boston in the closing weeks of the Dan Duquette regime.

"Well, I would definitely love to get something done and lock up the rest of my career here in Boston. It's up to them," said the 31-year-old Damon, who belted 20 homers and drove in 94 runs in 2004. "I know they want to see what kind of shape I [was] when I came into camp. Mentally, I'm stronger than I've ever been. Physically, I feel very strong. I've trimmed up a lot."

Damon was able to have a far more eventful offseason this time around than a year ago, when he was still dealing with the lingering effects of his concussion during the 2003 postseason.

"I've been running the hills in Jamaica over the past week. I've been doing a lot of pushups with and without [wife] Michelle on my back. I've been swimming a lot, doing a lot of things to make sure that I'm ready for this year," Damon said.

Of course, the fun-loving Damon didn't stick to mundane fitness.

"There were some strenuous things, but also some things I like to do, which is have fun, trying to swim after the alligators," said Damon.

The center fielder said that he actually never did come across those alligators during his swims, something the Red Sox will probably be relieved to hear.

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As for the book, titled, "Idiot ... beating the curse and enjoying the game of life", Damon had fun writing it. The release date -- April 4 -- will coincide with the season's opening series at Yankee Stadium.

"I think it fit me just perfect," said Damon. "The idiot thing took off, so we kind of had to go with it. I think it can help sell books. Mom's not too happy about it."

Nixon stands by A-Rod critique: Right fielder Trot Nixon said he probably spoke out of turn last week when he referred to Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez as a "clown." However, the gritty right fielder further explained why he was upset by a recent article in which A-Rod boasted about his physical fitness habits.

"That whole thing, I think, got kind of taken out of context," said Nixon. "But it struck me, and maybe it struck other players. We all know that Rodriguez is a phenomenal athlete. He's very gifted. He can do some amazing things probably in the offseason working out. But there are a lot of other guys that work out real hard, too. Maybe he didn't want it to come out that way. Some of the guys that I've seen, I'll put them up against anyone, people like [Jason] Varitek and Nomar [Garciaparra].

"I don't know many guys who work out harder than those guys in the offseason. It was just kind of the point I made. The fact where everybody else was in their beds sleeping or taking their kids to school just kind of rubbed me wrong a little bit because I take my kids to school and then I go work out, and then I go pick them up. It's just what I want to do."

Damon got quite a kick out of A-Rod's workout program.

"Well, waking up at six in the morning, there's been many nights where I haven't been to bed at six in the morning," said Damon. "You know, if that's what it takes to be him, he's a heck of a player. If it takes getting up at six in the morning for him, that's great. But like Trot, I enjoy taking my kids to school and trying to shake them at 7:45 in the morning, saying, 'Get up, you've got school.' I take them and after that, I get to get my work done."

Ring debate: The Red Sox ownership trio of John W. Henry, Larry Lucchino and Tom Werner will huddle with executive vice president/public affairs Charles Steinberg on Tuesday morning and come to a decision on when the team will present their World Series rings.

There has been a massive outcry over the past week from Red Sox fans, who insist that the ceremony should take place during the home opener on April 11 against the Yankees.

"I think that we'll come to a good solution that everyone will be pleased about very shortly," said Werner. "I think there's a lot of debate about it. But I think that the fans deserve to see it on Opening Day. But that's just one man's opinion. There's a lot of reasons to do it on other dates, but we'll solve this pretty quickly."

A recent report said that the Red Sox would be issuing a whopping 500 championship rings.

"I think everyone that was in the organization deserves to be thanked by all of us for what they did," said Werner. "I know the list is pretty deep, but it's appropriate because I think everybody deserves to be a part of this."

Present and accounted for: It was believed that every Red Sox player made it to Fort Myers by Monday's reporting date. Left fielder Manny Ramirez is the only player who has yet to be seen, but Francona didn't think there was any reason the star slugger wouldn't make it to Tuesday's first full-squad workout.

Meeting of the minds: Francona will hold a team meeting before Tuesday's workout.

"There's some things that need to be said. You never stop reminding players of what we think is important, what we're trying to do," said Francona. "We'll meet for probably a half hour, maybe even longer."

The owners will have the platform before Francona.

Francona wouldn't say whether he would advise the players to stop criticizing A-Rod.

White House trip: A published report said that the Red Sox will be recognized at the White House for their World Series championship on March 2, which is the day before the team begins their exhibition schedule. The club said Monday that they haven't received official confirmation.

"I don't know the specifics on it," said Werner. "I know we're going to hear shortly on that, hopefully even [Monday] or [Tuesday]. I do know that our hope is that we'll combine it with a trip to Walter Reed and Bethesda naval hospitals so we can actually bring the trophy back to some of the soldiers."