Written by: Kevin Early
After his ninth season with the Red Sox, Kevin Youkilis said farewell at Fenway Park on Sunday, with a 9-4 win over the Atlanta Braves. He was urged to come out for a curtain call by his teammates before heading down the steps. He received a lengthy standing ovation and Sox fans chanting "Yook."
"Bobby (Valentine) wanted him to have that moment of walking off the field," Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said.
Youkilis was traded to the Chicago White Sox for utilityman Brent Lillibridge and right-hander Zach Stewart later that evening. He had a rousing end to his days with the Red Sox. He was unavailable after the game, leaving behind a locker without his nameplate above it.
News of the trade didn't come as a surprise to many, as rumors of a trade have been floating around for the last few weeks.
Why the Cincinnati Reds should host the 2015 All Star Game
Written by: Andrew Wittry
Great American Ballpark was constructed in the early 2000's to replace Cinergy Field and was first used during the 2003 Major League Baseball season as the new home of the Cincinnati Reds. Cincinnati has gone ten seasons without hosting the game in the Reds' new home and the city has not held the Mid-Summer Classic since 1988 at Riverfront Stadium. …
Blockbuster Trade Will Shift Power to the National League and the West Coast
Written by: Andrew Wittry
The Boston Red Sox have been in the news countless times this season and usually it is negative publicity. Bobby V's comments about Kevin Youkilis. Josh Beckett playing golf on his off-days but unable to pitch. Once again they are making the headlines but this time it is 100% baseball related. The BoSox are finalizing the biggest deal of the year with the Los Angeles Dodgers that would send Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, and Nick Punto to the West Coast for James Loney, Rubby De La Rosa and a trio of minor leaguers-right handed pitcher Allen Webster, infielder Ivan De Jesus, and outfielder Jerry Sands. …
Nats' Bryce Harper becomes youngest position All-Star
Written by: Kevin Early
On the same day Ian Desmond withdrew from the 2012 NL All-Star team with an oblique strain, Bryce Harper has been selected by Tony LaRussa as the replacement for Giancarlo Stanton, who will have knee surgery. Youngest position player in an All-Star Game ever.
"I don’t have words to explain it right now. It’s exciting to go. …
