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Youkilis' return to Boston means pressure back on Valentine

July 16th, 2012 6:36 AM
  • Youkilis-return-to-Boston-means-pressure-back-on-Valentine
  • Chicago-White-Sox-third-baseman-Kevin-Youkilis-takes-a-lead-from-first-base.-Mandatory-Credit-Jesse-Johnson-US-PRESSWIRE
  • Credit: US-PRESSWIRE
  • Chicago White Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis takes a lead from first base. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE

    • With the Red Sox welcoming the first-place White Sox into Fenway Park for a four-game series beginning on Monday night, all eyes will be on Kevin Youkilis, who makes his first return to his old stomping grounds since being traded last month. The former All-Star’s final season with the Red Sox was marred by both an ineffective bat and a lot of tension between he and manager Bobby Valentine, a relationship that the former skipper apparently hasn’t quite gotten over.

    When asked about it over the weekend, Valentine seemed determined to place the blame for their lack of a rapport on Youkilis, despite the fact that it was Valentine who called his player’s work ethic into question back in April when he said “I don’t think he’s as physically or emotionally into the game as he has been in the past.” Now, although he tried to soften on those sentiments, Valentine insisted that Youkilis overreacted to them. “He made a big issue out of, and I don’t think he ever wanted to get over it,” the manager said. “[Their relationship] was whatever he wanted it to be.”

    Valentine has never been shy about voicing his opinion, nor has he ever been the easiest person to get along with. But this is certainly not the time to dig up old hostilities, something that Youkilis at least figured out when he declined to respond in kind. Perhaps that’s because he’s winning the post-break up relationship. When he was traded by the Red Sox (who are still in last place) Youkilis was hitting .233 with four home runs and 14 RBIs. In his first 15 games since being traded to Chicago, however, he’s hitting .315 with three homers and 15 RBIs, including five go-ahead hits that have helped the White Sox remain in first place in the Central.

    Valentine, meanwhile, though he has curbed the daily firing watch, has hardly ingratiated himself with the Boston fans. The Red Sox are 9.5 games out of first and tied with the Blue Jays for last place in the East, and time is running out on them to salvage their season.

    Perhaps it would have made sense to hold his tongue until after the White Sox left town, because you can bet that the fans are going to be on Youkilis’ side this week.

    — Craig Lowell

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kevin Youkilis will receive a hero’s welcome Monday night from Red Sox fans and former teammates…

    Read the original post from bostonherald.com

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