Kevin Youkilis

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Kevin was selected by the Red Sox in the eighth round of the 2001 draft. Kevin was the Red Sox Minor League Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002, and named to the International League All Star team in 2003. He made an auspicious major league debut on May 15, 2004 when he smashed a home run in a 4-0 win over Toronto against Cy Young award winning pitcher Pat Hentgen. Kevin appeared in 72 games for the World Series champions that year and was named the club's Rookie of the Year by the Boston chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Kevin was a two-time All-American at the University of Cincinnati and a member of the Sycamore High School team that won the AAU National Championship in 1994.

Over the years, Kevin has sought opportunities to make a difference and participated in a variety of philanthropic efforts. In 2006, he started a ticket program called "Lil' Youks," in which he invites children from the Home for Little Wanderers, March of Dimes, Italian Home and Massachusetts General Hospital Teen Oncology Support Group to attend Boston Red Sox home games. He has also been involved with charity events raising monies for Locks of Love. He also attended a special holiday luncheon for children from ABCD in 2005, annually he participates in the CBS Children's Hospital Telethon to help raise funds for Children's Hospital Boston. Additionally, he is an active participant at his teammates fundraising events; participating in Gabe Kapler's Poker Tournament to benefit the Kapler Foundation in 2005, Jason Varitek's Putt-Putt tournament and attending the 2005 Christmas at Fenway, where he signed autographs and answered questions from fans. Kevin Youkilis founded Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids to multiply the impact of his effort and encourage others to join in his mission to improve the education, health and safety of children across New England and beyond.

- Youkskids.org