Nearly three weeks after the Red Sox shipped him off to Chicago, the third baseman returned to Fenway Park and prepared to face the organization where he spent nine years of his career.
From Youkilis' perspective, the greatest part of the trade was the sudden switch in the division standings.
"I think we were like second to last or last and went right to first," Youkilis said. "It's the best thing you could ever ask for is going to first place. It's great just to be there, but you got two and half more months of playing ball and we just got to stay there."
Despite his familiarity with the Red Sox's pitching staff, Youkilis didn't anticipate that he'd have any advantages against his former teammates. Of Boston's six-man rotation, the 33-year-old has only faced one pitcher routinely –– Monday's starter Aaron Cook.
Amid the nostalgia, Youkilis expressed pleasure with his new team, new manager and new teammates. Reflecting on his divorce from the Red Sox, the veteran infielder said he understood the reasons that triggered the trade.
"If they're looking at the future and what they want to do, then that was time," Youkilis said. "They wanted Will [Middlebrooks] to be the starting third baseman. The first baseman, Adrian [Gonzalez], is here for the long haul, and we had a DH."
"There were either one or two moves, and I was that move because of contract issues and all kinds of other issues. That’s just the bottom line. In the team’s opinion, it was time to go. Either way, it didn’t matter to me. I just had to go out and do my job."
And the fans in Chicago are already reciprocating the love for his grittiness. Just like at Fenway Park, the fans at U.S. Cellular Field are starting to shower the third baseman with chants of "Youk."
The most notable change, however, is Youkilis' place in the batting order. These days, White Sox skipper Robin Ventura is slotting the veteran in the No. 2 hole, as opposed to when Youkilis batted in the middle of the order for the Red Sox.
"I think you just go up there and you do your job," Youkilis said. "I've hit second, I've hit everywhere. So you know getting to play every day, and do all that, you never can complain when you're in the lineup. I was excited just to play."
Before Monday's game, the veteran still showed appreciation for his Boston family, embracing his former teammates and security guards at Fenway Park. But as far as Youkilis is concerned, he's turned the page.
"There were no regrets," Youkilis said. "I had a lot of fun. I came in my rookie year and won a World Series and won another one playing every day. Some guys can't even say they've won one, and I was very fortunate to win two and go to All-Star Games and all cool stuff. Met my wife here, so there's no regrets."
Now, he's enjoying his new chapter with Chicago.
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