This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Icenine378 (talk | contribs) at 18:08, 4 October 2006. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 18:08, 4 October 2006 by Icenine378 (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| Position | First Base/Left Field |
| Team | Boston Red Sox |
| Years of Experience | 2 years |
| Age | 27 |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in |
| Weight | 220 |
| Bats | Right |
| Throws | Right |
| College | Cincinnati |
| 2006 Salary | $354,000 |
| Place of Birth | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Selection | 8th round amateur draft 2001 |
| Drafted by | Boston Red Sox |
| Major League Debut | May 15, 2004 |
Kevin Edmund Youkilis (born March 15, 1979 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is an American first baseman and right-handed batter who plays for the Boston Red Sox. Prior to 2006, he primarily played third base, and has also seen innings at second base and left field.
Youkilis was a two-time All-American in four seasons for the University of Cincinnati. The Red Sox drafted him in the eighth round in 2001 and he made his debut with the Class A Lowell Spinners, hitting .317 in 59 games while earning Player of the Year in the New York - Penn League. He climbed through three levels of the organization in 2002, going from Augusta to Sarasota to Trenton, where he hit .344 in 44 games. Along the way, Youkilis impressed by demonstrating a good knowledge of the strike zone. He collected 270 base on balls in his first 325 games, walking almost two times for every time he struck out. In 2003, he tied Kevin Millar's minor-league record by reaching base in 71 consecutive games.
In 2004, Youkilis was batting .258 with three home runs and a .347 on base percentage in 32 games with Triple-A Pawtucket when he got the call to the Red Sox. He went 2-for-4 in his big league debut, a 4-0 Red Sox win over the Toronto Blue Jays at SkyDome. In his second at-bat, he homered off of former Cy Young Award winner Pat Hentgen.
After 2004-2005 dipping in and out of the majors, due to an acquisition of Gold Glove third baseman Mike Lowell, the 2006 season saw Youkilis switching from his natural position at third base to be the starting first baseman for the Red Sox, replacing the departed Kevin Millar. Youkilis has also filled in at his natural position, third base when necessary as well as some time in left field. Youkilis had no outfield experience but injuries forced him out there where he did a fine job. Youkilis also demonstrated his versatility offensively by batting in every spot in the lineup except ninth. He was most valuable batting leadoff due to his excellent ability to get on base.
He had a prominent appearance in the book "Moneyball", receiving the nickname "Euclis, the Greek God of Walks" for his proficiency in getting on base. In his first major league campaign, Youkilis hit .260 with seven home runs and 35 runs batted in in 72 games.
Trivia
- In May of 2004, a group of women Red Sox fans created the Yahoo! Groups message board "DOKY" or "Daughters of Kevin Youkilis". Originally started as a humorous take-off on the infamous "SoSH" or "Sons of Sam Horn" message board, it has turned into a place for Red Sox, baseball and Youkilis fans to discuss the game and Kevin's playing, and friends and relatives of Youkilis, and Youkilis himself, often post messages there.
- While it may sound like he is being booed when Youkilis takes the plate, or makes a big hit at Fenway Park, Boston fans are actually cheering "Yoooooouk!"
- Youkilis is one of two Jewish players on the Red Sox. The other is Gabe Kapler. The Red Sox also were the only team to have four Jewish players on their team at once when both Kapler, Youkilis, Adam Stern, and Craig Breslow were on the team.
- In August 2006, Rescue Me stars Denis Leary and Lenny Clarke discovered that Youkilis was Jewish on live television, and proceeded to make light of Mel Gibson's recent anti-semitic comments.
- Youkilis played his first major league game on May 15, 2004. After he hit a home run on his debut, his teammates, as a prank, remained seated on their dugout benches and ignored this feat. Youkilis proceeded to the dugout and hit imaginary high-fives until his teammates gave in and congratulated him.
- Attended Sycamore High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Asked about Youkilis' nickname of "Euclis, the Greek God of Walks", manager Terry Francona remarked, "I've seen Youkilis in the shower, and I wouldn't call him the Greek god of anything."
- Despite the "Euclis, the Greek God of Walks" nickname, Youkilis is not Greek. He is actually Romanian.
- Played on the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball league.
- Kevin looks a lot like his Dad, Mike, who has been known as "Tank" and "Bear" throughout his life in Cincinnati.
- He is second in the league with pitches per at bat with 4.62.
External links
- Daughters of Kevin Youkilis
- Baseball Reference (analysis and statistics)
- ESPN (profile and daily update)
- http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2004/08/08/cards_appear_to_be_stacked?pg=full
- SoSH Youkilis Wiki Page