The sight will be jarring for many. Kevin Youkilis, in Yankee pinstripes.
Wade Boggs did it. So did Roger Clemens and Johnny Damon, becoming Yankees after memorable careers with the Boston Red Sox. (And yeah, some guy named Babe Ruth way back when.) This might feel the same way to so many Red Sox fans. How "Boston" is Youkilis? He's married to Tom Brady's sister, for gosh sakes.
Youkilis, the former Red Sox All-Star infielder, agreed to a one-year, $12 million offer from the Yankees, and he'll be the Bronx Bombers' third baseman, playing next to Derek Jeter and filling in for the injured Alex Rodriguez.
While Boston fans will turn their "Youk" chants to something that rhymes and starts with B, Yankees fans will adjust their thoughts on Youkilis. As Dan Hickey of the Yankees blog 161st and River wrote, "Now that he's a Yankee he's not dirty. He's just 'scrappy.' "
Will it work? Reports said the Yankees were more interested in Jeff Keppinger and/or Eric Chavez, but other teams (White Sox and Diamondbacks) swooped in and forced the Yankees' hand a bit. Youkilis was also wooed by the Indians, where he would have reunited with former Red Sox manager Terry Francona. Youkilis will be 34 next spring, and while he's battled injuries, he's probably the most productive guy the Yankees could find in free agency.
And by the way, Boggs, Clemens and Damon all won World Series with the Yankees, too.
Comments