A True Dirt Dog

Youk giving us his opinions of all things Yankee.

As a self proclaimed Red Sox worshipper I decided to start this blog on a whim, literally 20 minutes before I started typing this post.  However, the theme for my first ever post came to me in a flash.  Consider this post the official tribute to Kevin Youkilis.

The first thing we need to do, obviously, is compare Youk to a certain first basemen who happened to spurn the Red Sox before the 2009 season.  Yea, I'm talking about Mark Texeira.  First off, if you look at Texeira, he was created by the baseball gods to play first base.  A switch hitter, with 40 home run power from either side, an absolute stud defensively, product of a baseball factory (Georgia Tech), almost the MVP last year, and a man with a 180 million dollar contract, Mark Texeira should be the clear cut favorite as the best first basemen in the A.L. East. Should.  However, there seems to be a challenger residing in Fenway Park.  Despite using a batting stance which would get a little leaguer yelled at, being moved to first only because when Mike Lowell came over he was a former Gold Glove at third, and being famous because he walks a lot, Kevin Youkilis has shown he is just as good, if not better, than sir Mark Texeira.  And before I forget, Youk played his college ball at the University of Cincinnati.  Really?  The fact a man can become a major league player player coming from there is improbable, let alone an All-Star and MVP candidate.

With that said lets look at what Youk has actually done.  A Gold Glove in 2007, winner of the Hank Aaron Award in 2008 and probably was more the MVP than Dustin Pedroia (even though I have a man crush on Pedroia larger than some men have on Victoria's Secret models) and had he not missed some time last year, would have gotten much more talk as an MVP candidate.  If Mr. Youkilis had as many plate appearances as Mark Texeira last year, 609, his numbers, 27 homers and 94 rbis, project to about 34 homers and just under 120 rbis with a .305 batting average.  Add in the fact Youk should have won the Gold Glove, and we see our boy is quite the player.  Also, he is A LOT cheaper than Texereia and can play third without missing a beat.  I can honestly say I would take no one over him (and don't bring up Albert Pujols, he's just not fair).

I think the most important factor in determining Youk's greatness, however, is his impact on the Fenway Faithful.  Every at bat we hear the rumble of "YYYOOOOUUUUKKKKK!!!" from every corner of the park.  A player who was not supposed to be a big time major leaguer, but did his time in the minors, finds any way he can to get on base (although i would like if he swung at a first pitch fastball down the middle occasionally), and leaves you knowing he gave his all that game, even if it wasn't his best, is someone we should cherish for as long as we love the Red Sox.  So my fellow citizens of Red Sox nation let us sit back for a moment and appreciate and enjoy the player we have.