Multiple outlets reported Sunday that Red Sox veteran corner infielder Kevin Youkilis has been traded to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for relief pitcher/starter Zach Stewart and outfielder Brent Lillibridge.
Stewart is 1-2 this season for the White Sox, owning a 6.00 ERA. Lillibridge is batting .175 and has just two RBIs in 48 games this season.
It was the oddest of days Sunday for the Youkilis, who had spent his entire career with the Boston organization (drafted in the eighth round of the 2001 draft).
Youkilis tripled to deep right center in the seventh inning, plating Adrian Gonzalez, in what was his last at-bat as a Red Sox.
The Fenway Park crowd gave Youkilis a standing ovation for the effort and Youkilis responded with an energetic tip of the cap. He emerged moments later for a curtain call.
Red Sox fans had shown their appreciation towards ‘Youk’ earlier in yesterday’s game as well, getting a ‘standing o’ in the first inning.
Youkilis’ career highlights in a Red Sox uniform included a home run against the Angels in Game 1 of the 2007 ALDS and had two doubles in Game 1 of the 2007 World Series against Colorado.
In 2009, Youkilis was second in the American League in OBP (.413) and OPS (.961) and finished sixth in the MVP balloting in the AL.
Youkilis was a three-time All-Star with Boston, was a part of two World Series championship teams and won a Gold Glove in 2007.
