Youk Inserts Foot In Mouth Then Dances With the Damage Control Gods

Never known for his tact or ability to think first then speak, former Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis put his foot firmly in his mouth on day one at the Yankees spring training complex. It immediately incensed Yankee fans who saw part of the quote taken out of context and published in New York papers.

"“I’ll always be a Red Sock.” Yep, that’s what Youk said on his first official day as a Yankee."

Oct 1, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis (20) sits in the dugout in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

While being interviewed on Ricky Keeler’s Yanks Go Yard radio broadcast the other night we noted that Youkilis would have a hard time pleasing Yankee fans, who universally have hated him over the years, unless he got off to a quick start. This was a quick start, only backwards.

Yankee teammates were in the clubhouse today, apparently ready to good-naturedly haze Youk over the remark. To give this full context, Youkilis said. “To negate all the years I played for the Boston Red Sox and all the tradition, you look at all the stuff I have piled up at my house, to say I’d just throw it out the window, that’s not true. I’ll always be a Red Sock.

“Guys play on different teams and that’s a part of your history; that’s a part of your life and you can’t change that. It was great years in Boston. One bad half-year doesn’t take away from all the great years I had there and all the good things I’ve been able to do along the way and accomplish as a team, as an individual. It was great.”

Fair enough. But did you really have to fire, ready, aim in your debut with the New York media Kevin? Today Youk was in full-on backpedal mode: ‘‘Trust me, there’s no way that was meant to say my heart is in Boston or anything like that. My heart is here with the Yankees.’’ Youkilis readily admitted the comment ‘‘by itself looks terrible.’’

‘‘I’ve got to watch what I say,’’ Youkilis said. ‘‘It hit me hard.’’

New York will host the Red Sox in the regular-season opener at Yankee Stadium on April 1. ‘‘I’m excited to play against them opening day,’’ Youkilis said. ‘‘I’m excited to put on the pinstripes, the full pinstripes.’’ That’s a heavenly thing to say Youk. If he even unwittingly is pivotal in an opening day loss there will, however, be hell to pay.

If you twist and turn away 
If you tear yourself in two again 
If I could, yes I would 
If I could, I would 
Let it go 
Surrender 
Dislocate
– Bad, U2