Kevin Youkilis, Retired


Date of Birth: 3/15/1979
Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio
College: University of Cincinnati

Kevin Youkilis played for over eight years with the Boston Red Sox before being traded to the Chicago White Sox in June, 2012. Youkilis was first signed by the Boston Red Sox in 2001 after setting baseball records in college. He had the most home runs and walks of any University of Cincinnati baseball player and he batted .366 during his college years.

Youkilis played in the minor leagues for Boston from 2001 through part of 2004. He batted .299 in the minors and played primarily at third base. Youkilis started as the Red Sox's third baseman in May, 2004, but he was sent back to the minor leagues in July. He spent the 2005 season bouncing back and forth between the Red Sox and one of their minor league teams, playing in only 44 games with Boston.

In 2006, Youkilis became the Red Sox's starting first baseman. In his first season, he batted .279, with 159 hits, 42 doubles, and 13 home runs. In 127 games at first base that season, he made just five errors. Known as a good fielder, Youkilis won a Gold Glove in 2007.

Youkilis' best season with the Red Sox was 2008, when he batted .312, with 168 hits, 43 doubles, 29 home runs, and 115 RBIs. That season he won the Hank Aaron award.

Youkilis' numbers went down in later seasons and after batting .233 with 34 hits in 42 games at the start of 2012, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox. In December, 2012, he signed a one-year contract with the New York Yankees to replace an injured Alex Rodriguez at third base.

After playing in Japan in 2013, Youkilis announced his retirement on October 30, 2014.

Statistics for Youkilis in nine seasons (2004-2012) in the major leagues include:

  • 3 seasons with a batting average of over .300, with a high of .312 in 2008
  • 4 seasons with 150 or more hits, with a high of 168 in 2008
  • 5 seasons with over 30 doubles, with a high of 43 in 2008
  • 13 errors in 607 games played at first base

Career statistics for Youkilis through 2012 include:

  • 1,033 games played
  • 1,030 hits
  • 247 doubles
  • 148 home runs

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Kevin Youkilis
ESPN Sports - Kevin Youkilis