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Soooo Loooong, Yoooouk!  

Kevin Youkilis came up to the majors in 2004 with the Red Sox where he played 72 games and stayed and played for 8 ½ seasons until his trade to the Chicago White Sox last Sunday. He won a GG, three All-Star selections, came in twice high up in the MVP balloting and two World Series rings. His contributions to the Red Sox over these last years has been nothing short of phenomenal and he will be missed by all of Red Sox Nation. His intensity on the field put him head and shoulders over most major leaguers and the way he played every game, every inning, every pitch was like it meant the difference between a winning and a losing season. To watch him play live was a demonstration of his intensity that you didn't see on TV. As a pitch was thrown he would hop in place as he prepared for the ball to be hit to him, he was ready to field that ball and range for the catch regardless of the score, the inning or the ball being hit out of his zone. He was always primed for the ball and he played that way from the beginning to the end of the game. That was his trademark and his mantra. He expected nothing less from himself and that was what endeared him to his teammates... and that was also what irritated his teammates because he also expected others to play the way he played.

Over the years there were reports that Youk had annoyed others on the Red Sox staff because he would get on other players because he thought that they weren't playing up to his standards. All this came to light when he and former Red Sox Manny Ramirez went at it in the dugout during a game and it was all caught on camera for all the Nation to see as it unfolded. Reports were that Youk got on Manny's case because he wasn't playing hard enough and Manny took exception to his comments. Well, maybe Youk did annoy some players when it wasn't deserved but in Manny's case I think Youk was spot on.

Now Youk is gone and I wish him all the best on his new team. He will be missed and it will seem weird not to have him in the line-up and to see his unique batting stance at the dish. However, I think the move was a good one and if you read what Youk said a few days ago he knew it was just a matter of time before he was traded somewhere. His replacement, Will Middlebrooks, is a player that cannot and should not ever be seated on a bench. He came up when Youk was hurt - again - and literally took over the third base position the first day he arrived. Even at the beginning of this season I would have blanched at the thought of a Youk trade. I was sure Youk would be with the Sox until it was time for him to retire. Well, actually he is still with the Sox not just the red ones. It just goes to show you that no one, absolutely no one is indispensible and can be replaced at any time.

Hear that Pedey? Your actions have bordered on insubordination and frankly you are showing yourself not as a leader but as a whiny, spoiled brat. That will be discussed in my next column.  

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Morning Trish- Time to head West with the Team, and keep up the winning series by series (assuming that they win today (wed 6/27) against the Jays- I concur with Merrimack Fredd and Susan from N.Chelmsford that any commentary regarding players "attitude" or lack thereof during the National Anthem is what it is- not everybody on the team (or for that matter any MLB) are all US Citizens! Next thing Mr. Hallman will want is Russ Limbaugh to be the PA Announcer replacing the late great Carl Beane! Get over it Mr.Hallman- lets "Play Ball"

Stephen * Longmeadow

Post game: Top of the morning RSN. Well DiceK did a descent job on Tuesday night and Salty and Pedey got us another win,and it was a tad chilly at the Fen.It sounds like some of the guys on the DL are coming back soon, but the only one I would consider is Ells. Let the rest totally rehab this year in AAA and prepare for 2013 like (lacking Lackey). To let the young lions go back to Pawtucket,(Nava,McDonald, Kalish, when they are becoming so cohesive with Middlebrooks and the other new players is crazy. In short, if it's not broken why fix it.

The bullpen did a hell of a job Tuesday night and continue to do so.The Sox cut Marlon Byrd and he got popped for 50 games for violating the steroid use and in doing some research and listening to him it would appear that he had a legitimate medical condition in the recent past and physicians prescribed the steroid for his condition and this would give him a valid argument for review. Many people are given steroids these days for various conditions and they are strictly for medical purposes and not to enhance their professional careers like McGuire and Clemens. And speaking of the Rocket, he was found NG for lying to Congress, but we all know he did the juice,and when McNamee shot up his wife only coroborates their connection.

So enough inter league for 2012, lets catch those Bronx bums and go for the Gold. Have a great day RSN and memo to the Remdawg, the Ask Jerry during the rain delays my wife tells me are funny and show the real nice sides of our great NESN team, Jerry,Don, and Jenny.

Dave from RI

Another Red Sox win last night and it was a good one showing patience and resilience. I hope someone got pictures of Jarrod Saltalamacchia with his kids pre-game, just adorable!

Fredd and I seem to be on the same page, except when it comes to trading Jacoby. Yeah, it's probably my heart speaking, and maybe we don't have him down the road, but I can't wait to see him running those base paths again. Getting closer! Scott Podsednik reminds me of Ellsbury a lot, but he is past 35 and got hurt again, so let's keep him out of the mix long term. Nava has done a really good job in left field and I'd like to see him stay there over Crawford any day of the week. CC wasn't a factor last year and I don't expect much from him this year, either. I know he rubs people the wrong way, but I think Bobby Valentine is doing a great job as manager, and I applaud David Ortiz for his leadership, as well. I would love to be able to get together with some of my "penpals" here at OYM for a game at Fenway-what fun we'd have!

Susan * North Chelmsford

Welcome back Trish! My wife and I were at the game on Sunday thanks to our RemDawg Nation membership. The food was fantastic before the game and we would like to thank our waitress Melissa for taking such good care of us. It was a magical moment when Youk was lifted from the game and the entire crowd stood up and cheered. We will definitely miss his style of play, hard play ALL THE TIME! I believe that the trade was the right move for both teams at this time. Also, President Obama should have realized that his comment was a little too early for Red Sox Nation to handle. Anyways, Youk you will be missed and Good Luck to you.

Niles in Danvers

Tony, can I come too? I would love to get the tour, but more importantly I too would like to meet Bobby V, the owners and Bobble Head Ben saying "Look - No Strings".

Phil, I am glad you agreed with me a couple of years ago about Youk - Great Minds..

Susan, I would proudly stand with my Pink Sox Cap over my heart while listening to performers sing many wrong notes.

Harold, I would guess that you still pine for JD Drew, and will never forgive the owners for "Forcing" Tek and Wakefield to retire as well as treating Francona like trash so that Valentine could come in make the owners agree to trade Youk? Move on.

And Josh. If you don't like Pedoria, just come out and say so.

Merrimack Valley Fredd

MV Fred - I am with you 100% on the peeve of the day, patriotism can only be felt, never forced. We all feel things different ways. Salty showed as much respect as I need him to. As for your other comment, Ells being excess baggage. Oh my. The replacements are holding their own, but Ells is in a whole other category as a player. "Not stealing as many bases"? How about not stealing ANY? Aviles is trying, but he keeps getting caught or picked off. Other than him, no one is even trying. Plays in the outfield are getting made, but a lot of ugly baseball is going on there too. From Kalish missing an easy one near the wall the other night, to Ross almost missing one because he ran the wrong way last night, Darnell just not looking like he knows how to pick a route any more - Nava is the only OF on the team who actually looks comfortable out there (Sweeney looks ok too). Podsednick? Please. This guy is a reclamation project at best. Getting older, injury prone. Maybe he comes back from the groin injury as good as he's been this year, maybe not. I wouldn't trade Ells for him, that is for sure.

Now for my whine of the day. I was no fan of Beltre being on this team. I thought his defense was over-rated (lots of easy plays missed, while pulling off all the flashy ones). I never expected his bat to be as big as it was. However, if you look at his production over 2011, and 2012 to date, I sincerely wish the Sox had kept Beltre at 3B, kept Youk at 1B, and never brought in AGon. From day one, AGon has never been as good a 1B for the Sox as Youk was. His play is lackadaisical, he reminds me of JD Drew in total lack of passion. He has no range, no speed. Yes, slick glove - if the ball is near him and he doesn't have to move his feet he probably catches it. Overall though, Youk is hands down the better player at that position. AGon was supposed to be a great hitter. For the first half of 2011 he was. Since then he has not even been average. The way I see it, Theo killed this team's chances for years to come by making two incredibly stupid acquisitions - AGon and Crawford. Both are untradeable, provide zero value in comparison to replacements, and will prevent the team from keeping quality on the field for years.

Josh in NH

Trish, from my point of view we have two Red Sox baseball teams in Boston. First, we have (on paper) the 'A' team that consists mostly of highly overpaid nonproducing players that can be called our 'Walking Wounded Warriors of Fenway'. Secondly, (on the playing field) we have a collection of American Baseball League castoffs that have the familiarity of being cast as 'Junk Yard Dogs' intermixed with several youngsters from Pawtucket. Both of whom are being managed by (Bobby Valentine) an honored NBL member who was salvaged from remnants of their old junk yard dogs.

Despite the animosity shown to Bobby 'V' by the local press and quite a number of Red Sox Nation members who continue to adulate 'Spits' Francona (the master of bubble gum chewing), he has surprisingly reassembled the batting lineup with this conglomeration of shaggy haired and bearded characters each day, while revitalizing the ragtag relief pitching corps (by calling on them on successive days without fear of damaging their fragile arms). It actually resembles a complete baseball team once again. They have even put to use the lost art of the sacrifice bunt (that was hardly ever used during the previous manager's game plan), but instead the past manager had them always swinging from their heels to power the ball over the left or center field wall, or the short right field fence. To me it is becoming an exciting team to watch on TV, while also being royally entertained by the happy go lucky announcing team of Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy.

As a side note: Whatever happened to placing adhesive tape on the handle of the bat for a better grip? The reason I ask, our former shortstop Nomar Garciaparra (1994-2004) proved that the Velcro on the batters gloves fails to remain tight, causing the batter to step out of the box following every pitch to reset the Velcro grip, even if he didn't take a swing!

Rajah, Marlboro, MA

Oh my!! I certainly didn't expect the responses from Susan and MVF, all my fault, of course!! I will apologize to both of you (and anyone else who was offended but didn't say anything) for the political comments and the "not looking around". I was raised to be patriotic and I will continue to do the same, but, as MVF said, I have noticed others not doing what I do...and who am I to say that what I do is correct (believe me - I've been told many times just the opposite)!! Thanks for the eye-opener! I will do my best to make that change... In the meantime, I am very proud of our Sox!! Let's go to the playoffs...one game at a time!!

John Hallman * Norfolk, VA

It is two wins since I last posted. Having been at Fenway to see Youks last at bat was bittersweet. I did not feel the thrill of watching Ted Williams hit his last ball. I must be getting older or wiser. Youth is excited about the end of an era. With maturity, which I usually lack, comes sadness. Youth only see new beginnings. Us old guys remember retiring players as rookies. Sad to say I hope Youk kicks us in the pants in a couple of weeks. Just Youk though, I do want the win in spite of it.

Chuck Lewis * Warwick, RI