Our MLB editor provides weekly dispatches from major league games in Notes From the Clubhouse.The Red Sox don't worry about individual awards. They don't even like to talk about them out of fear that it might distract them from the task at hand, winning a third World Series in five years. That's probably part of the reason why they've been baseball's most successful franchise in the past decade.
If Kevin Youkilis finishes with a bang, they might have to start.
The player once dubbed "a fat third baseman, who couldn't run, throw or field," in Michael Lewis' "Moneyball" is having quite the season. He entered play Thursday with 24 home runs, 88 RBI and a .321 batting average. He ranks in the top 10 in those categories as well as on-base percentage, slugging average, OPS, total bases, doubles, triples and walks.
He might not look like an MVP. He certainly doesn't act like one, grinding hard in every at-bat and taking every out personally in a manner ex-Yankee Paul O'Neill would be proud of, but like it or not, he's a serious contender for the award with under six weeks to go in the season.
"It's been fun to watch," says Dustin Pedroia of Youkilis' season. "He's been the biggest part of our offense."
"He's growing into his power," says Jason Varitek. "He's always been a really good hitter."
"That doesn't interest me, the MVP stuff," says Boston manager Terry Francona. "He really wants to win. He's been a huge part of what we do."
Youkilis echoes Francona's compartmental approach to the season. "Some days are better than others," he says of his breakout season. "You go out there and try to have a good at-bat every time."
AL MVP Candidates
Kevin Youkilis is one of the leading contenders for the American League MVP award this year. With a .320 average, Youkilis is trailing only Joe Mauer for the batting title.
Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images
Carlos Quentin is leading the majors with 35 home runs after flaming out with the Diamondbacks last season. The White Sox slugger is also batting .294 and has 97 RBI.
Joe Robbins, Getty Images
Josh Hamilton leads the league with 115 RBI and, of course, has the wonderful story to go with it. The former No. 1 pick spent years out of baseball while battling a drug addiction.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP
Minnesota's Justin Morneau captured the MVP in 2006 and he could do it again if he can help propel his team to the postseason. The Twins slugger is second in the league with 98 RBI.
Jim Mone, AP
Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez could get some consideration for the award because he's on pace to set the single-season record for saves.
Mark Avery, AP
Francona says that Youkilis' intensity has gotten the best of him in recent seasons, particularly in the second half. His career OPS is more than 100 points higher in the first half of the season. "He's always gonna be emotional," says Francona. "But I think in the past he kind of wore himself down."
That hasn't happened this year, and it's part of the reason he has a compelling MVP case.
Three days after the Red Sox traded Manny Ramirez, Francona slid Youkilis into the cleanup spot -- Manny's spot for the better part of 7 1/2 seasons in Boston -- and he's taken off, hitting .365 with 13 RBI and 10 extra-base hits in 14 games. He's also played all over the diamond because of an injury to regular third baseman Mike Lowell.
That type of versatility and performance when his team has needed him most could endear Youkilis to voters, particularly if the Red Sox overtake the Rays in the AL East.
From a purely statistical standpoint, Youkilis might not even be the most valuable player on his team. Pedroia has been nearly as good with the bat and plays a much tougher defensive position. On the other hand, we know the MVP voters have a clear preference for the narrative -- for a good story -- when they fill out their ballot.
That's why you see mostly players from contending teams considered for the award, and why you hear silly notions like CC Sabathia or Francisco Rodriguez for MVP this time of year.
Who has a better story than Youkilis?
Josh Hamilton certainly does, but the Rangers are going nowhere, seemingly knocking him out of the race. Cast off by the Diamondbacks this winter, Chicago's Carlos Quentin also might, and he's largely been a better hitter than Youkilis too.
But Youkilis has been a "huge player for us," says Francona. "We need him."
He's done everything his manager has asked of him defensively. He's also taken over for the great and powerful Manny Ramirez, protecting David Ortiz on a nightly basis, and allowing newcomer Jason Bay to ease into the feeding frenzy that is baseball in Boston, without the additional pressure of replacing Ramirez directly in the lineup.
Not bad for a "fat third baseman" who supposedly had no baseball skills other than a terrific batting eye.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-21-2008 @ 11:31PM
Lew Lorin said...
Kevin Youklis is Jewish..Don't Believe Me? Ask Him..He's not a greek..He's a Jew..Pretty tough for you dumb goyim to accept, since he's doing so well..
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8-22-2008 @ 12:51AM
sled 86 said...
and what are you super man
8-22-2008 @ 12:26PM
rossducky96 said...
is this assuming that greeks cant be jewish? that is a weird statement. and even if that was oddly the case, he is in a place where people are focusing on his abilities instead of his religion,which is between him and God.
8-21-2008 @ 11:40PM
gd said...
as ted williams would say, michael lewis is a ------------ idiot, Youk is great and the better portion of the major leaguers would do well to emulate his drive, intensity and hustle, a fantastic player
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8-22-2008 @ 4:11AM
Michael said...
It's absolutely amazing that bigots think they're being objective when betraying their ignorance to the world with such an idiotic post.
I take it you're Jewish....obviously a proud one, but ignorant all the same.
However, even the most ARDENT Jew would have to admit that Judaism is a RELIGION and NOT a Nationality. If you were born in Israel, you are Israeli.....even if you're Islamic. If your family descends from Greece, you are Greek, REGARDLESS of your belief system.
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8-22-2008 @ 7:59AM
warren g said...
I hate the Red Sox and don't want to ever see them win anything again, but Kevin Youkilis is having a tremendous year. If he wins MVP, it will be well-deserved. Besides, there are so few Jewish ball players in the majors, it would be quite a feat for Youk to win the award.
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8-22-2008 @ 9:44AM
Mike said...
I've always liked Youk, but think that he hasn't been treated that fairly by the Sox. And, there was trade talk. I understand that Sox teammates don't care for his "intensity" when he doesn't do well, but I've seen worse on the team and it sure looks like there's a lack of testicular fortitude on his teammates part when Manny "mailed it in". Not a single teammate came to his defense when Manny smacked him in the dugout. That really told me something. When Youk is eligible to 'walk", I hope he does just that. Take the money and run, Youk. You deserve better than what you've been getting in Boston.
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8-22-2008 @ 1:50PM
kirby said...
Most succesful in the last decade??? The Yankees have been to the playoffs 13 straight years and have won 3 titles in the last decade not to mention 9 out of 10 years they won there division, yet the Sox are the most succesful team in the last decade, I think not!!
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8-23-2008 @ 8:34AM
rcott said...
It wasn't so very long ago that Youkilis was bouncing up and down between the majors and Triple A as a spot player. He obviously works very hard--consider his transition to first base. That he can still play third to fill in is pretty remarkable. Thome made that transition and couldn't really go back to third. The other thing to consider is the Boston organization. It's been very successful with young players bringing them along and having them genuinely contribute to the team. I'm not sure Youk would have been as successful as he has been in another organization, but he would have made it from sheer will and hard work.
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8-25-2008 @ 8:25PM
ches said...
If youk goes 6 for 12 against the yanks and ends up in the playoffs he will be the mvp
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8-31-2008 @ 1:21PM
Steve said...
I don't think he's going to win it this year. He'll be in the top 10 for votes but I'm almost 100% sure he won't win it. Great player, great progression the last couple years with the bat. Maybe next year when he hits about 35 homers and has 115 RBI he might be considered for the award.
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9-06-2008 @ 12:35AM
cal said...
he was voted most over-rated by players
just b4 the all-star game
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9-11-2008 @ 8:43PM
yankeessuck said...
Hey Mike. Are you smoking something? The Red Sox have NEVER treated Youkilis bad. That is a Yankee fan wet dream.
Go grow your own talented kids and leave ours alone
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9-15-2008 @ 12:10AM
Richie said...
The Boston Red Sox is a excellent baseball team, great sportsman ship, and have a positive spirit. You could see, and feel the energy, of the very motivated Red Sox team when they play baseball. The Red Sox make the best role models for the young generation. Incredible team work, and love for each other. (Boston Loves Youkilis)
Yankees and there fans have no manners, there messy, disrespectful, and the opposite of good team sportsman ship.
They want to buy there way all the time.
Yankees support the evil bambino curse. (Curse = evil)
Red Sox = Sportsman ship, team work, love for each other, and fans, of all teams in MLB, that have respect for baseball. I'm from New York City, and I had a good time in Boston, really nice place, and people. I'm proud to be a Red Sox fan.
Lot's of Boston fans all over with love for the Red Sox.
We broke the evil curse 2gether God Bless The Red Sox
Go Red Sox! 2007-08 :)
"Keep The Faith"
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9-17-2008 @ 11:32AM
matthew said...
Im glad he is finally thought bought being nominated,because he is busting his butt this season for the red soxs so it would be cool if he won the mvp so his hard work would pay off
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