JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — The 2010 season is barely one-quarter done, but if it ended today, Boston Red Sox 1B Kevin Youkilis would be in the running for Most Valuable Player.

Thanks in part to a recent tear, Youk is among the American League leaders in multiple hitting categories, including:

  • 1st in runs (37)
  • 1st/tie in walks (35)
  • 2nd in slugging percentage (.612)
  • 2nd in on-base plus slugging (1.071)
  • 2nd/tie in on-base percentage (.459)
  • 3rd/tie in hit by pitch (5)
  • 11th in batting average (.322)
  • 11th/tie in home runs (9)

The only AL batter with better stats at present is fellow 1B Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins, a potential triple-crown winner whose phenomenal numbers include a .383 batting average. Morneau was the AL MVP in 2006 and the runner-up in 2008.

Youkilis came in 3rd in the MVP voting in 2008 and 6th in 2009. To see a clip of an interview with him after Sunday’s (5/23/2010) victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, click here.

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