Bobby V vs. Youk Edition

It's not the first time and it certainly won't be the last, but Bobby V chose a post-game interview after the first three game winning streak on the season to disparage Kevin Youkilis.  Youk certainly has the aura of a six-month old at times, throwing fits about called third strikes and complaining about a fan-base that chants his name in every stadium he visits, but questioning his effort?  Via The Boston Globe's Pete Abraham via channel 7s Sports Xtra show on Sunday night:

      "I don't think he's as physically or emotionally into the game
      as he has been in the past for some reason. But [on Saturday]
      it seemed, you know, he's seeing the ball well, got those two 
      walks, got his on-base percentage up higher than his batting 
      average, which is always a good thing, and he'll move on from there."

On the one hand, it's 21 words, not the biggest deal.  On the other, this Red Sox team has just crushed one of their fiercest rivals for a three game winning streak.  The buzz going around the radio dial is this is Bobby V getting back at Youk because he thinks Youk aired the dirty laundry to the ubiquitous Curt Schilling about clubhouse issues in spring training.  This takes the life is high school theory to the extreme.  A little positive energy around the team would be nice.

A final on the other hand.  Youkilis' games played by year starting in 2006: 147, 145, 145, 136, 102, 120.  That's a clear downward trend the last three years.  Some of the injuries could be called fluky, maybe Bobby V sees that as Youk not being as engaged as he should, pampered, appearing to go all out on the field but not putting in the work off the field leading to some of those injuries.  Let's see how the team performs today, with Youk on the bench and Pedroia steadfastly standing by his man and telling the manager how things are done around here.

Until next time,

The SAHD


*****UPDATE***** Team looses 1-0, what a shocker.  Silver lining: despite 7BB Bard pitches good to great 6.2 IP 4H 1R 7BB 7K  Very silver lining, not many can go 7BB in 6.2 I and give up only 1 run, excited for what's to come.