SB Nation Boston - Kevin Youkilis 'Confused' By Bobby Valentine's Commentshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48863/boston-fave.png2012-04-16T09:47:42-04:00http://boston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/27159702012-04-16T09:47:42-04:002012-04-16T09:47:42-04:00Dustin Pedroia Backs Up Kevin Youkilis And His Work Ethic
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<p>One day after <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a> manager Bobby Valentine criticized third baseman <span>Kevin Youkilis</span> for his lack of initiative, fellow star <span>Dustin Pedroia</span> came to his teammates' aid, <a href="http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/21191816/pedroia-dont-understand-bobby-vs-point">according to WEEI.com</a>.</p>
<p>Pedroia said he doesn't get what Valentine was talking about when speaking on Sunday in an interview in reference to Youkilis.</p>
<p>"I know that Youk plays as hard as anybody I've ever seen in my life,"Pedroia said. "I have his back, and his teammates have his back. We know how hard he plays. I don't really understand what Bobby's trying to do. But that's really not the way we go about our stuff here. I'm sure he'll figure that out soon."</p>
<p>The second baseman then expounded.</p>
<p>"We've got Youk's back. He's played his [butt] off for us for a long time. Anytime he steps on the field, he's a great player. We're here to win, and we're here to win with him."</p>
<p>Valentine might be in danger of losing the locker room even in the midst of a mini-turn around. The Sox have won three straight, but if Valentine doesn't right the ship it could get ugly in a hurry.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Red Sox, please be sure to check out our blog <a href="http://overthemonster.com">Over The Monster</a> and <a href="http://boston.sbnation.com">SB Nation Boston</a> for all the latest news and updates.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-red-sox/2012/4/16/2951934/2012-boston-red-sox-dustin-pedroia-kevin-youkilisMatt Verderame2012-04-16T09:27:34-04:002012-04-16T09:27:34-04:00Kevin Youkilis 'Confused' By Bobby Valentine's Comments
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<p>Kevin Youkilis responds to some surprising criticism from Bobby Valentine over the weekend.</p> <p>One day after <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a> manager Bobby Valentine spoke up on his feelings in regards to third baseman <span>Kevin Youkilis</span>, the star at the hot corner has returned serve, <a href="http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/21191811/youkilis-confused-about-valentines-criticism">according to WEEI.com</a>.</p>
<p>Valentine said yesterday in an interview with WHDH-TV's Sports Xtra that he didn't feel Youkilis was giving it everything he had this year.</p>
<p>"I don't think he's as physically or emotionally into the game as he has been in the past for some reason," Valentine said. "But [Saturday] it seemed, you know, he's seeing the ball well, got those two walks, got his on-base percentage up higher than his batting average, which is always a good thing, and he'll move on from there."</p>
<p>On Monday morning, Youkilis responding to Valentine's assertions.</p>
<p>"I'm more confused than anything, because I think everyone knows I go out and play the game as hard as I can. That's just my style of play. I never was blessed with the raw tools … so I've always had to use playing the game as hard and with full effort my whole life. I don't know any better, so that's just the way I play."</p>
<p>Youkilis also said he and Valentine spoke on Monday morning but wouldn't divulge the tenor of the meeting.</p>
<p>It's just another twist in what seems to be a never-ending saga in Beantown with Bobby V.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Red Sox, please be sure to check out our blog <a href="http://overthemonster.com">Over The Monster </a>and <a href="http://boston.sbnation.com">SB Nation Boston</a> for all the latest news and updates.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-red-sox/2012/4/16/2951878/2012-boston-red-sox-kevin-youkilis-bobby-valentineMatt Verderame