Kevin Youkils vs Mark Teixeira–a friendly comparison
For those of you that did not already know, I have a research paper coming up. We are supposed to focus on a certain kind of liberty or “space” that was created during America’s Gilded Age. And what better space to talk about than baseball: America’s past time! It’s a new cultural space, that provided lots of liberties, and even took some away. Last night, we had to e-mail our ideas to our teacher, and his response started with: ‘I should’ve known!’.
Luckily, the thinks that it will be a good topic. The best part is–I love researching about baseball. There are so many great sources that I can consult, and I’ll be able to use Ken Burns’ baseball movies as a guiding tool.
I’ll be posting my ideas, thesis statement, rough draft(s), etc. for your pleasure and critique!
Apparently, the Red Sox “swapped” right handers with the Orioles. Pauley was removed (is that synonymous with designated for assignment?) from Boston’s 40-man roster earlier this month to make room for John Smoltz. I vaguely Pauley’s name a couple of times this season. I knew he was a prospect and I remembered one terrible start that he had. Let’s just say his ERA was 11.68.
For some reason, I’m also imagining a decent start by him (he did start two games after all), but maybe I’m just imagining things. In exchange, the Red Sox got Randor Bierd. I looked up Randor Bierd, and was not impressed. Then again, maybe if we give him some more time to develop in the minors, he’ll be worth something.
My only question is, why would the Red Sox and Orioles swap right handers with the same, relatively mediocre stats? Was it really necessary?
I was inspired to do a Youkilis-Teixeira comparison seeing that I was told that Youkilis is no where near as good as Teixeira.
The thing is, I’m not really counting Youkilis’ first two years because he had no where near as many at-bats as Teixeira did in his first two years. I think it would be unfair if we measured Teixeira vs Youkilis with unfair statistics.
2006 was the first year that Youkilis had over 500 at-bats, 2003 was Mark Teixeira’s. In that year, Youkilis batted .279 with 159 hits and 72 RBIs. In 2003, Teixeira batted .259 with 137 hits and 84 RBIs.
Believe me, I know that Teixeira is more of a power hitter than Youkilis, but moving along…
In Youkilis’ second year with over 500 at-bats he batted .288 with 152 hits and 83 RBI’s. In Teixeira’s second year with over 500 at-bats, he batted .283 with 153 hits and 112 RBIs.
And in Youkilis’ third year with over 500 at-bats, he batted .312 with 168 hits and 115 RBIs, in Teixeira’s third year with over 500 at-bats, he batted .301 with 194 hits and 144 RBIs.
Now in this comparison I’m not looking to say that one is better than the other, I’m just saying that they are very comparable and are of equal caliber because
1. Youkilis is just getting into his prime. Give the guy time!
2. The reason his RBIs aren’t as impressive is because he didn’t start batting fourth in the lineup until this year.
Regardless, it’s still going to be a great matchup!
In my last post, I asked you guys to give me your one true sentence, and I got some great ones:
Julia: “The greatest joy in my life is waking in the morning, sun streaming in the window, and knowing that I have a loving family to face the challenges, obstacles and rewards of the day ahead.”
I love how Julia is able to look on the bright side of the obstacles that face her everyday. I think if we all tried to do that, we’d get things done a lot easier
Bringing Diamondback:In Manhattan there is a North End Avenue, which is somewhere in the southern region of the island.
Ah, the simplicity of life.
Jen: “If you don’t tell someone you love them, you may never get the chance because life is short.”
Life really is too short, and I think that sometimes we have to swallow our pride, that that risk, and maybe get everything.
Jimmy: “When all else fails ‘pray to God’, as He has all the answers.”
God will always be there for us– to lead and guide us through all of our troubles
Hyun Young: “Realizing you can’t do everything you want, makes you realize grasping what you have now is enough.”
I think we all have to make do, and be thankful with what we have. It’s one of the most important things that we have. If we strive to only do things that we want, we may forget what we already have.
Jeff: “The Cardinals win the pennant! The Cardinals win the pennant!”
How does this not surprise me? LOL
Thank you all for your sentences!! Also, if you didn’t give me one last time, I’d still love to hear from you!
You guys also helped me to define a MLBlog:
MLBlog: A MLB sponsered web page in which diverse, hard core baseball fans express their thoughts, comments, ideas, and opinions about their respective teams
regardless of their age, ethnicity, gender, political views, religious views or sense of humor.
regardless of their age, ethnicity, gender, political views, religious views or sense of humor.
-Elizabeth
The Future Blog of the Red Sox 
I LOVE the definition of MLBlog! You should send that to Mark and it needs to be posted on the homepage. Youk vs Tex – enough said! And I look forward to reading your paper ideas as you move along. Good luck and thanks for the kind words. I would say you got some GREAT true sentences. What an amazing group of people we have here at MLBlogs!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
I liked the Youk Tex’ story. I want to compare them when each was in his prime. I’m with Julia send the MLBlogs definition to Mark. My sentence would be “Every second is the future good things happen and bad things happen.”
Bob, http://bostonsports.mlblogs.com/
Julia: Thanks! I think I will. And I feel lucky to be part of such an amazing community!
Bigpapi: I love the sentence, it’ll be in my next post. And I’m about to send it to Mark now!
-Elizabeth
LOVE the MLBlog definition. Love all the sentences. We’re a smart bunch of people here. Youk and Tex really are quite similar. I never knew. And you guys are getting Youk for a great price. Good for you guys!
Jen
http://ajroxmywhitesox.mlblogs.com
In case no one’s noticed, Randor Bierd is just a great baseball name.
– http://janeheller.mlblogs.com
Jen: We are getting Youk for a bargain seeing that he and Tex are so similar!
Jane: Randor Bierd is a great baseball name–so is Rocco Baldelli!
-Elizabeth
Glad Miami has my back! Hhmm, sentence…Well I could easily rattle off so many great sentences but not sure if one would encompass “everything” and I think Ernest struggled with an overall. For now I would say, “The smartest man realizes that for as much as he knows there is so much more he does not.” Basically the idea never close your mind because there is always something you can learn. And Randor, somebody needs to find the origin of that puppy!
tom
http://rockymountainway.mlblogs.com
They are both good players, I don’t see it as that outlandish of a comparison. Can’t believe I used the word outlandish … Good word.
http://homerfoodandhistory.mlblogs.com/
Tommy: Like Socrates right? Accepting the fact that we know nothing. And I’m on it (Randor’s background!).
Homer: Nice use of outlandish LOL.
-Elizabeth
I’m with Jeff on this one: “The Cardinals win the Pennant!” or maybe “The Cardinals are the World Champions!”
-Kathy
http://redbirdchatter.mlblogs.com
Hi, Elizabeth …
Excellent definition of a MLBlog !!! … There was great teamwork by all of the mlbloggers [including myself] who listed many good definitions of a MLBLog in the comment section on you last post, which inspired you to come up with your definition !!! … Your post encouraged us to give some thought to two interesting questions: “What is our defination of a MLBlog”?, and “What is our one true sentence”? … It was a pleasure to think about, and write a response for both these thought provoking questions !!! … Also, thanks for listing my “one true sentnce” on your above post, with the others !!! Take care, Elizabeth !!! ….. Jimmy [27NYY], “BY&L” ….. http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/
Mark Teixeira vs. Kevin Youkilis …
Well, Elizabeth, you make some good points comparing both great first basemen !!! … You should consider being a lawyer in your off-hours of your writing career !!! … Both players had great numbers last year; and, Youkilis continues to improve each season !!! … Teixeira’s numbers are more consistent over the years, and you already conceded that Tex has more power !!! … So, there is no question that both are very valuable to their teams, and it will be interesting to see this head-to-head matchup over the next five to eight years !!! … Both players in their teams lineup will make the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry even more fun to watch in the years to come !!! … Now, as a Yankees fan, I shouldn’t be saying this, but I will give you one more point in your defense of Youkilis in this comparison … When Mark Teixeira was introduced to the NY media, at his press conference, he said, “I haven’t accomplished anything yet, since I don’t have a World Series ring” … He also said, he’s “going to work hard to improve as a player, and the goal is to win the World Series every year.” !!! … Just like in the great debate between Don Mattingly and Kirby Puckett, both those players have very similar numbers, but Puckett is in the Hall of Fame, and Mattingly is not … The only difference in their careers is the fact that Puckett has “two” World Series rings, and Mattingly never played on a Yankee World Championship team !!! … Putting the numbers aside, Kevin Youkilis has “two” World Series rings with the Red Sox, and that does add extra value to any players career [as in the case with Puckett] … Teixeira doesn’t have a WS ring yet [I do expect him to receive, oh, I don’t know, maybe, at least, three-five World Series rings over his Yankees career, maybe more] … But, Kevin Youkilis already has those rings, and that’s something no one can take away from him !!! … Youkilis played on two World Champonship teams with the Red Sox, and it’s only fair to bring up that fact because as Yankee fans we always mention the “four” World Series rings that Jeter, Rivera, Posada, and Pettitte have earned from the great Yankee Championship teams of the late 1990’s … The value of the Yankee players on those Championship teams will always be connected with the rings they wear on their fingers, which is also the case with Kevin Youkilis, and the Red Sox players who also received WS rings !!! … Well, what more can I say, Elizaberth? … You always inspire me to write many words about the great passion we all have for our teams and the great game of Baseball … Another excellent “post” as usual, Elizabeth !!! … Jimmy [27NYY], “BY&L” http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/
Kathy: Great feeling in ’06 huh?
Jimmy: I like your whole argument about the World Series rings. I think it should be somewhat of a factor, but not for the HOF. You have to look at individual statistics for that. I’m glad I inspired you!!
-Elizabeth
The reason the Red Sox made the trade with the Orioles was to get something back for him. After being DFA’d, Pauley could elected to become a free agent and the Red Sox would have gotten nothing. At least by getting Bierd, they’ll have an MLB capable middle relief arm in Pawtucket.
Ian
http://soxanddawgs.com
Hopefully they’ll let Bierd develop in the minors. Once Smoltz and Penny are gone, he might be needed!
-Elizabeth