The media and fans can believe what they want regarding the relationship between Joba Chamberlain and Kevin Youkilis.
However, the Yankees’ new third baseman sounded sincere yesterday on a conference call talking about what he thinks of Chamberlain.
“It’s not a big deal to me. If it was that big of a deal, I wouldn’t be signing with the Yankees,’’ said Youkilis, who received a voice message from Chamberlain and plans to return it. “A lot of it has been made bigger with the media and the fans. You look at my stats and I have been hit [by a pitch] 99 times. There have been multiple pitchers who have hit me. Joba has only hit me once, [last season as a White Sox]. It’s not a big deal. We are teammates now and we have the same goals of going to spring training and winning.’’
In 2007, Chamberlain threw two fastballs over Youkilis’ head and was suspended for two games. One year later, Chamberlain threw up and in to Youkilis, sending him to the dirt. Youkilis responded by going toward the mound, but was restrained.
Now, they are teammates after Youkilis, who will turn 34 in March, passed a physical to finalize a one-year deal worth $12 million that places the third baseman on the other side of the emotional Red Sox-Yankees rivalry.
“It’s not a story, it’s one of those things people love to talk about,’’ Youkilis said. “It’s a new teammate and we are going to take the field together. When he goes out there to pitch hopefully I can play great defense behind him.’’
To get an understanding of what switching sides was about, Youkilis talked with Johnny Damon, who unlike Youkilis, moved from the Red Sox to the Yankees as a free agent without a stop elsewhere.
“Johnny said I will love the experience,’’ said Youkilis, who will get an early taste of the rivalry from the Yankees side since they host the Red Sox on Opening Day, April 1, at Yankee Stadium.
Youkilis was being courted by other clubs, but when the Yankees discovered in November that Alex Rodriguez would require hip surgery that will cost him four to six months and possibly the entire 2013 season, the Yankees contacted agent Joe Bick.
“They jumped out of nowhere. It was a surprise, we never thought that was going to come. I was humbled and amazed the Yankees were in the picture,’’ Youkilis said. “I never thought I would be on the other side of the rivalry but I felt the New York Yankees were the best fit to try and win another World Series.’’
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is counting on Youkilis to play regularly in Rodriguez’s absence.
“He will be the every-day third baseman until Alex comes back,’’ said Cashman, who wouldn’t speculate on the length of Rodriguez’s absence, but who has been told by doctors July is the earliest Rodriguez could return from hip surgery slated for next month. “Alex is expected back, but there are no guarantees. Hopefully, we will get a thumbs up after a difficult surgery.’’
Youkilis hasn’t played more than 122 games in the past three seasons and batted a career-low, .235 last year when he was dealt from the Red Sox to the White Sox and had to deal with his family being in California while he was in Chicago.