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The Spectacle Blog
The Fenway faithful knew that today was going to be Kevin Youkilis’ last game in a Red Sox uniform and Youk made the most of it.
With the emergence of rookie Will Middlebrooks at third base, the oft injured Youkilis has struggled at the plate in 2012. Today, Youk went 2 for 4 with a RBI and a spectacular catch to boot during a 9-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves. In his final at bat, Youk hit a ball to right center but there was a miscommunication between Michael Bourn and Jason Heyward and it dropped in. Youk got a triple out of it.
Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine then put in Nick Punto to pinch run for Youk. Bobby V and Youk, of course, had a row earlier in the season when Valentine questioned Youk’s commitment to the game. But Bobby V did the right thing and let Fenway Park says its goodbye. Youk reciprocated by blowing kisses to the crowd.
After the game, the Red Sox traded Youkilis to the Chicago White Sox for utility player Brent Lillibridge and pitcher Zach Stewart. Youk will get a chance not only to play everyday but he’ll be with a team that has emerged as one of baseball’s most pleasant surprises under new manager Robin Ventura. The Chisox presently have a half game lead on the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central. It can’t hurt that the White Sox now have a player with two World Series rings. With Youk’s departure, David Ortiz is now the only member of 2004 World Series champion Red Sox who is still with the team.
Youkilis has spent his entire professional career with the Red Sox. He was an eighth round draft pick by the Bosox in 2001. He made his big league debut with the Sox in 2004 and became an everyday player in 2006. His best overall season came in 2008 when he hit .312 with 29 homeruns and 115 RBI finishing third in the AL MVP balloting behind his teammate Dustin Pedroia. He also has a .388 lifetime OBP.
Although nicknamed The Greek God of Walks, Youk is actually Jewish. Here’s Denis Leary and Lenny Clarke riffing on Youk during a game early in his career in which he came up big in the field.
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More Blog Posts by Aaron Goldstein
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Bob K| 6.24.12 @ 11:57PM
First time I've heard him called "Youk"but I don't follow the Red Sox too closely. I don't follow ball players religions either.
Casey Abell| 6.25.12 @ 8:55AM
Around Fenway he's rarely called anything but "Youk." By the way, Oakland GM Billy Beane gave him the nickname Greek God of Walks back in the old Moneyball days.
Occam's Tool| 6.25.12 @ 2:35AM
Bob:
Jews follow their ball players for very good reasons: we have outstanding physicians and Nobelists as often as goys have good ballplayers, and good ballplayers as often as a year goes by without a Jew winning a Nobel Prize (last year, Jews won FIVE Nobel prizes; I believe the Brits won one).
That's why. Like the Cherokee, we're somewhat tribal.
JP| 6.25.12 @ 7:10AM
It will be strange not seeing Youk in a Red Sox uniform.
Casey Abell| 6.25.12 @ 8:52AM
The White Sox were getting nothing from their third basemen, so even a declining Youkilis almost has to be an upgrade. They also got him cheap with Boston picking up most of the money left on his contract.
Youkilis told White Sox GM Kenny Williams that he wants to show something to a few people. Those people are named Valentine and Cherington. Youkilis could put too much pressure on himself and flop, but it's still a low-risk move for the White Sox.
Youkilis' replacement in Boston will be hot-shot rookie Will Middlebrooks. Love that name, Will Middlebrooks. Sounds like it fell out of a Victorian novel.