Youk: I will always be a Red Sox

[j-bay]

TAMPA, Fla. -- Kevin Youkilis has two messages for New York Yankees fans: He'll always be a Boston Red Sox, and he'll never be Alex Rodriguez.

A newly clean-shaven Youkilis made his first appearance in Yankees camp on Thursday, going straight from a red-eye flight from his home in San Jose, Calif., to the batting cage at George M. Steinbrenner Field.


After batting practice, Youkilis made a sweep through the Yankees' clubhouse, where he greeted a few of his new teammates -- but not Joba Chamberlain -- and had a brief chat with manager Joe Girardi.

But although Youkilis, who signed a one-year, $12 million contract in December, said he looks forward to "an enjoyable season" in New York, his heart still belongs to rival Boston, where he spent his first 8½ seasons in the majors.

"I'll always be a Red Sock," Youkilis said. "To negate all the years I played for the Boston Red Sox, and all the tradition, you look at all the stuff I have piled up at my house and to say I'd just throw it out the window, it's not true.

"Those were great years in Boston. One bad half-year doesn't take away from all the great years I had there."


The signing of the 33-year-old Youkilis, who batted a career-low .235 last year while splitting time between the Red Sox and the Chicago White Sox, became a necessity when Rodriguez underwent hip surgery that is expected to sideline him at least until the All-Star break.

While Youkilis is being relied upon to play Rodriguez's position, he cautioned against expectations that he will replace the three-time MVP's production in the lineup.

"I don't think you look at it like that," Youkilis said. "You can't be thinking about shoes to fill, because I'll never be Alex Rodriguez. I mean, Alex Rodriguez is one of the best hitters of all time. I'm not going to be that same guy. But I can be a good major league player who can help the team win."

Youkilis' brief swing through the clubhouse took him to the opposite side of the room from where Chamberlain was sitting at his locker. Youkilis and Chamberlain famously feuded during the third baseman's time in Boston.

Although Chamberlain said the two have exchanged text messages, they have yet to speak face-to-face.

"You guys have written a lot about it, but we're here in spring training as a team and ready to play," Chamberlain said. "At some time, we'll all sit down and talk. I think it's all going to be OK."

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/stor...lways-red-sock


You rock Youk! Someone offer him a one day contract before he retires.

[bonesaw4343]

Even as a Yankee fan I can't see anything wrong with what he said. Gotta love that a guy can still be loyal to a team even when he is on the enemy team.

[penuch]

I respect him a lot for this. Especially with the way things ended, to at least not publicly hold any bitterness speaks volumes. That being said I still make that trade, because it was clear his time in Boston was over.

[ruckus16969]

Youk is awesome I wish we resigned him. I mean the guy played his heart out.

[postman47]

Takes some guts to state that, being a Yankee and all. Hope the Redsox fans treat him well when he returns to Fenway. Will always think of him as a Redsox player.

[mooz]

Youk is awesome I wish we resigned him. I mean the guy played his heart out.

Yeah, I was curious if he could put together 1 or 2 more productive seasons at 1B.

[SoxFan0407]

Yeah, I was curious if he could put together 1 or 2 more productive seasons at 1B.

I wanted him back for that exact reason. No doubt he'd still be a gold glover at first, if the guy can physically stand he will sacrafice his body during every play. I still want him back next year, especially if we cant re-sign Napoli or Napoli goes down with a devistating hip injury. He's by no means a young player anymore, and all those years of body beating has worn him down pretty good, but I could see him being our 3b/1b/DH super sub for the forseable future (2-3 good years as a bench player) if he were to welcome a return.

[Pedroia]

I love Youk as much as the next guy but not for $12M.

[todu82]

Best wishes to Youk in New York and am thankful for all he did for this team.

[PatsNationSouth]

No offense Youk, but I hope your team sucks this year. That being said I agree that he needs to get the Nomar treatment when he hangs 'em up.

[postman47]

I also was hoping the Redsox might bring him back for a year or 2 at 1B. The money he got was a lot, but was pretty much on par with some of the other short term deals they handed out this past winter.

[ManRamForPrez24]

I said after he left that I'd always root for him and be a fan of his. Hard now that he's a Yankee...but he'll always be remembered as a Sox, and a lot of them were great memories.

[bagwell368]

I also was hoping the Redsox might bring him back for a year or 2 at 1B. The money he got was a lot, but was pretty much on par with some of the other short term deals they handed out this past winter.

Youk was by far the most disliked player on the team his last 3 years here - by the other players. They didn't want him back, in particular at that crazy price tag.

[postman47]

Which is most likely one of the reasons they did not bring him back. Most of the signings seem to be good clubhouse guys. Makes sense from that direction not to bring him back.

[Redsox19]

Bags how do u kno for a fact he was the most hated player on the team for 3 straight yr? Btw bags I saw what u said to the guy in the US marines..that's messed up, who do u think u are? The dudes over there protecting mine nd yours freedom nd ur gunna say messed up things to him? Ur a scumbag man