UNHWildCats
October 27th, 2008, 12:52 PM
PHILADELPHIA - There was still the thought in the back of his head that he ought to be in a Red Sox uniform playing the Phillies in the World Series, but the saving grace of Kevin Youkilis's trip here was his being named the American League recipient of the Hank Aaron Award as the circuit's most outstanding offensive performer.
"It's a little tough," said Youkilis before Game 4 last night. "When I heard the news it was, 'I get to go to the World Series,' which isn't great for me, but to win this award is a great honor."
The award is named for Aaron, the man many still recognize as the true home run champion because of Barry Bonds's alleged use of steroids. Fans cast more than 230,000 votes via online balloting.
It's a measure of just how far Youkilis, who was used predominantly in the No. 4 hole after Manny Ramírez was traded to the Dodgers at the deadline, has come as a hitter.
While one doesn't necessarily consider Youkilis a true cleanup hitter, his numbers in that spot (.299 with 10 homers and 45 RBIs in 174 at-bats) were impressive. His overall .312 batting average, 168 hits, 43 doubles, 29 home runs, and 115 RBIs all fit the model of a cleanup hitter. Not to mention his .569 slugging percentage, his .390 on base percentage, and the fact he hit .374 with runners in scoring position.
Youkilis accepted the award along with the Cubs' Aramis Ramirez, the National League recipient.
Youkilis wasn't going to stay for the game, which he said would be too difficult, but rather he was heading for dinner at his favorite Mexican restaurant in town and was to return to Boston. He said he plans to rest for the next four weeks before beginning his grueling offseason routine at Athletes Performance Institute in Arizona.
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/10/27/serious_but_not_series_business_for_youkilis_in_ph iladelphia/
"It's a little tough," said Youkilis before Game 4 last night. "When I heard the news it was, 'I get to go to the World Series,' which isn't great for me, but to win this award is a great honor."
The award is named for Aaron, the man many still recognize as the true home run champion because of Barry Bonds's alleged use of steroids. Fans cast more than 230,000 votes via online balloting.
It's a measure of just how far Youkilis, who was used predominantly in the No. 4 hole after Manny Ramírez was traded to the Dodgers at the deadline, has come as a hitter.
While one doesn't necessarily consider Youkilis a true cleanup hitter, his numbers in that spot (.299 with 10 homers and 45 RBIs in 174 at-bats) were impressive. His overall .312 batting average, 168 hits, 43 doubles, 29 home runs, and 115 RBIs all fit the model of a cleanup hitter. Not to mention his .569 slugging percentage, his .390 on base percentage, and the fact he hit .374 with runners in scoring position.
Youkilis accepted the award along with the Cubs' Aramis Ramirez, the National League recipient.
Youkilis wasn't going to stay for the game, which he said would be too difficult, but rather he was heading for dinner at his favorite Mexican restaurant in town and was to return to Boston. He said he plans to rest for the next four weeks before beginning his grueling offseason routine at Athletes Performance Institute in Arizona.
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/10/27/serious_but_not_series_business_for_youkilis_in_ph iladelphia/