After 10 seasons in the big leagues, Kevin Youkilis has called it a career. Youk spent the bulk of his career with the Boston Red Sox and also played with the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees before playing briefly in Japan last year.

Youkilis was known for his intensity and his ability to get on base dating back to his time as a minor leaguer when he earned the nickname “The Greek God of Walks”. Despite the nickname, Youkilis is actually Jewish.

Youkilis made his debut with the Red Sox in 2004, but had a very minor role in the team’s first World Series title in 86 years. Originally a third baseman, Youkilis moved to first and became a regular in 2007 when the Red Sox would win their second World Series title in four years. He would earn a Gold Glove that season. His best offensive year came in 2008 when he hit .312 with 29 HR and 115 RBI. Youk would finish third in the AL MVP balloting behind Minnesota Twins slugger Justin Morneau and his teammate Dustin Pedroia. 

Youkilis would earn All-Star selections in 2008, 2010 and 2011. However, injuries would begin to catch up with hi and Youk would fall out of favor when Bobby Valentine took over the Red Sox in 2012. Youk would be traded to the Chisox and this trade. This amused President Obama to no end. Unfortunately, he made the mistake of telling this to a Boston crowd which booed him.

Youkilis finished his career with 1,053 hits, a .281 lifetime batting average with 150 home runs and 618 RBI.