OrangeShadow
06-27-2007, 11:52 AM
I know theres a baseball thread but i thought this deserved seperate attention, youkilis is one of the most underrated players in the game
Youkilis puts glove on record
By Michael Silverman
SEATTLE - The play in the fifth inning Monday night, when first baseman Kevin Youkilis [stats] threw across the diamond to throw out Ichiro Suzuki at third base? That is what separates him from Stuffy McGinnis.
Youkilis did not throw that ball away, or do anything like that since last July 4 when he began a stretch of 120 consecutive errorless games for a first baseman, breaking McGinnis’ record set in 1921.
“I definitely take a lot of pride in my defense,” Youkilis said. “From what I’ve learned over the years, defense wins ball games. You might have a great game hitting, but if you don’t play good on the field, it can have an effect on the ball game sometimes. It’s definitely something I try to get better at each day.”
Youkilis came up through the Red Sox [team stats] system exclusively as a third baseman. Not until last year did he become the everyday first baseman. He has surprised everyone with his sure-handedness and intelligent decisions.
Youkilis believes that playing third base only helped his skills at first base. “For me, first base is more of a reaction. You have a bigger glove, you don’t try to do too much,” he said. “Right now I just feel comfortable at first base. Over the past year, it’s been just a matter of going out there each day and fielding my position.”
Youkilis puts glove on record
By Michael Silverman
SEATTLE - The play in the fifth inning Monday night, when first baseman Kevin Youkilis [stats] threw across the diamond to throw out Ichiro Suzuki at third base? That is what separates him from Stuffy McGinnis.
Youkilis did not throw that ball away, or do anything like that since last July 4 when he began a stretch of 120 consecutive errorless games for a first baseman, breaking McGinnis’ record set in 1921.
“I definitely take a lot of pride in my defense,” Youkilis said. “From what I’ve learned over the years, defense wins ball games. You might have a great game hitting, but if you don’t play good on the field, it can have an effect on the ball game sometimes. It’s definitely something I try to get better at each day.”
Youkilis came up through the Red Sox [team stats] system exclusively as a third baseman. Not until last year did he become the everyday first baseman. He has surprised everyone with his sure-handedness and intelligent decisions.
Youkilis believes that playing third base only helped his skills at first base. “For me, first base is more of a reaction. You have a bigger glove, you don’t try to do too much,” he said. “Right now I just feel comfortable at first base. Over the past year, it’s been just a matter of going out there each day and fielding my position.”