‘Youk’ a big hit with Sox fans
The White Sox unveiled their new third baseman in front of the home crowd Tuesday night — and he instantly became a new fan favorite.
His name is Kevin Youkilis, but much like Boston Red Sox fans at Fenway Park, White Sox fans prefer calling him “Youk.”
The shouted it loudly in the first inning when Youkilis got the White Sox’ slaughter of the Texas Rangers started with a 2-run homer off Roy Oswalt. The chanting didn’t stop the rest of the game.
Youkilis, who was 3-for-6 with his first White Sox home run and 4 RBI, was wildly popular in Boston for nine years, but he is thrilled to be with the White Sox.
His first seven games were on the road, and Youkilis noticed a big change when he arrived at U.S. Cellular Field.
“I didn’t see this much media on the road,” he said. “I was making a comment, ‘There’s no media here.’ Well, to my shock, there was a lot more today. It’s definitely fun and it’s kind of cool, too. I didn’t realize until now that you’re second fiddle to the Cubs, so there’s not as much news.
“I kind of knew it but I figured this team’s in first place, their team’s in last place. I thought we’d get a lot more publicity but I’ve been in a place (Boston) where there was way too much, so I’d rather be under the radar right now.”
Danks update:White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper said he was hoping to get John Danks back in late July, but the left-handed starter is still experiencing shoulder discomfort and doesn#146;t seem close to returning.On the disabled list since May 20, Danks received a cortisone shot Friday.#147;I#146;m doing OK,#148; Danks said Tuesday. #147;I played catch today and it#146;d been a few days. I came in here and got a cortisone shot, so hopefully that will kick in and I#146;ll get back to actually playing baseball. This DL stuff is getting old.#148;Danks said he is actually feeling better.#147;There#146;s definitely been improvement,#148; Danks said. #147;Maybe not quite as rapid as I#146;d like, but for sure from where I was a month ago to now. I#146;m just ready to be healed up and get out there and play.#148;No apologies:Even though he leads AL catchers in RBI and ranks second in home runs and batting average, White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski is not going to the All-Star Game.Rangers manager Ron Washington was not apologizing for leaving Pierzynski off the American League team.#147;You#146;ve got to move on,#148; said Washington, who will manage the AL all-stars. #147;There are deserving people. There are always people who deserve to be some place and are not there. That#146;s life. If I see A.J. and he wants to talk, I#146;ll talk. Nothing I said here is going to change.#148;Good-time Charlie:Jake Peavy is on the Final Vote ballot, and the White Sox#146; starting pitcher is getting help from actor Charlie Sheen.#147;Charlie is a baseball fan,#148; Peavy said. #147;I met Charlie through the years. Charlie is out in L.A. and I played a lot and spent a lot of time out there and got to know some people. He was one of the first people to reach out. I promise you, Charlie keeps tab on what#146;s going on in the baseball world. He was one of the first people who said, #145;Hey, let#146;s get this thing done and I#146;ll do what I can to help.#146;#148;