Last night the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees began the first three game series of the 2009 season. All over the place, people were anticipating the first at bat of Kevin Youkilis facing Joba Chamberlain. The anticipation was a big let down, Youk was walked. Again in his second at bat, the heat in the room rose and Youkilis walked again, this time intentionally. In the bottom of the fifth Youkilis stepped in for what was his last at bat against Joba for the game and he grounded into a fielder's choice. No hit batsmen, no fiery rivalry, no fines and no suspensions.
The game went back and forth throughout and the Yankees were up 4-2 in the bottom of the ninth with two on and two out, the perfect scenario for every young little leaguer with big dreams. (Most people like to be down by three with the bases loaded and a full count. I on the other hand am tied with no one on and take the first pitch deep regardless of how many out there are.) Jason Bay stepped in against Mariano Rivera and I saw had a 2004 flashback, Jason Bay took Mo deep to center and tied the game.
Kevin Youkilis batting for the Boston Red Sox
The game stayed stagnant until the bottom of the 11th when Kevin Youkilis stepped in against Damaso Marte. With one out and no one on, Kevin Youkilis lived my dream. He hit a solo bomb over The Monster right under what used to be the coke bottles (I mention that because I called it earlier in the day with a comment on the post Boston Red Sox News & Notes - 4/24 on soxanddawgs). Not only did Youk win the game in amazing fashion, as he rounded third, he made that little extra effort to get as close as possible to the Yankee dugout and show just how emotional winning feels.
Live the dream Kevin Youkilis, live the dream. And help my fantasy baseball team along the way.
Thanks to Keith Allison for the picture of Kevin Youkilis