Youkilis to replace A-Rod on AL All-Star squad - 美國職棒

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Youkilis to replace A-Rod on AL All-Star squad

By Jason Mastrodonato / MLB.com

BOSTON -- When Kevin Youkilis was told before Friday's 10-3 win over the
Orioles that Alex Rodriguez had pulled out of Tuesday's All-Star Game in
Phoenix with a sore right knee, he immediately asked who was replacing him.
At the time, no one had been named, but Youkilis had his name called later in
the evening, marking the third time the 32-year-old third baseman has been
selected for the Midsummer Classic.

Youkilis has been bothered by bumps and bruises all season, the latest after
being hit in the back and experiencing neck and head tightness earlier this
week. But even before he knew he was selected, Youkilis said if he was, he
would absolutely play.

"I think it's an honor to be chosen," he said.

Youkilis, also an All-Star in 2008 and '09, is hitting .275 this season, with
50 runs, 12 homers and 59 RBIs. He's second to only Jose Bautista in on-base
percentage (.394) among American League third basemen.

"That's awesome," said Boston first baseman Adrian Gonzalez upon finding out
that Youkilis would be joining him. "It's great. He deserves it."

Youkilis said that he doesn't believe the All-Star Game should decide
home-field advantage for the World Series and that the team with the best
record deserves it. He thinks the game should simply be simply what it is --
an All-Star Game for the league's best players, but not change the course of
the postseason.

Youkilis becomes the fifth Boston player to become an All-Star, joining
teammates Gonzalez, Jacoby Ellsbury, David Ortiz and Josh Beckett.

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