Youk starting off on the wrong foot, ahem, sock

AL BEast Notebook – Feb. 15



A memo to Kevin Youkilis: Yankees fans don’t like the Red Sox. In fact, we hate them. We don’t like you either. In fact, you might be the most disliked Red Sox of the last 9 years. We cringed when Cashman signed you. The only reason you are here is because A-Rod’s body is falling apart, creating a hole at third base, we need a warm body, and you were the last scrub left on the scrap heap.

Youk actually has an opportunity like Scott Brosius, Johnny Damon and Raul Ibanez to win over Yankee fans’ hearts. There isn’t much below him on the depth chart and he will have free reign at the hot corner. Coming off a .230 year with a zillion strikeouts, expectations are so low it will be hard to disappoint.

Making his first appearance at Yankees camp Thursday, Kevin Youkilis announced, “I’ll always be a Red Sock.”

Dude, look down at your shirt. Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore.



Never mind the fact that his manager in Boston hated him, his teammates alienated him, and the fans couldn’t wait to kick him out of town. Once he ventured to the Dark Side, Red Sox fans want nothing to do with him. Why make headlines trying to endear you to that former fan base?

Now he’s in Pinstripes, teammates with guys that never liked him including a pitcher who threw at his head three times (Chamberlain), playing for fans that are very suspicious. Shut up and hit the ball they’ll change their minds. Get on base, thou Greek God of Walks, and they’ll be satisfied. But never EVER remind them that you played at Fenway Park for the home team. And especially that you liked it!

That’s like former senator Jim Jeffords telling his fellow Democrats in the hallway at the Capitol, “I sure enjoyed my time in the GOP. I’ll always be a Republican.” No one wants to hear that.

Youk, you are now a Yankee. The goatee is gone, as is any affiliation with the Red Sox for the next eight months. You have a lot of work to do and even before today you have an uphill battle fitting in with your new teammates and the local fans. Wait until your career is over before saying anything that associates you (especially declaring your eternal identity) with the enemy.

At least pretend that you want to be here and perhaps we will pretend that we are glad you are.