With all due respect to former Boston Red Sox infielder Kevin Youkilis, no one considers him one of the greatest hitters of all time.
That’s what made it so special when Youkilis’ name recently emerged on a list featuring Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, and Aaron Judge.
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The list? MLB players with the highest OPS with Runners on Base since 2004, a new statistic analysis provided by Codify. Youkilis landed at No. 6 behind the legends just mentioned.
Youk took to X to express his surprise over landing on the list, and he also served up some advice about hitting with runners on.
“Best advice for hitting w/ runners on base is to not focus on the result of driving a runner in,” Youkilis wrote. “Focus on a good AB by controlling the zone & game planning for P & C tendencies with runners on. Get YOUR pitch early and compete your ass off with 2 strikes!”
Youkilis enjoyed a very solid MLB career from 2004 to 2013, marked by discipline at the plate. Drafted by the Red Sox in 2001, he debuted in 2004 and helped secure World Series titles that year and in 2007. Nicknamed the “Greek God of Walks” for his on-base prowess, Youkilis made three All-Star teams (2008, 2009, 2011) and won a Gold Glove in 2007. Over 10 seasons, he batted .281 with 150 home runs and 618 RBIs, splitting time between first and third base.
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Traded to the Chicago White Sox in 2012, he joined the New York Yankees in 2013, but back injuries restricted him to 28 games, leading to retirement.
Post-playing days, he ventured into broadcasting, scouting, and other business ventures. In November, ex-Yankee Joba Chamberlain reignited some old beef by naming Youkilis as the player he disliked most.
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