NEW YORK — The Yankees and Red Sox rivalry has produced countless feuds over the years. Beanballs. Bench clearings. Bitter words exchanged across diamond lines.
But few grudges have lasted quite like this one.
Former Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain revealed this week that he harbored intense dislike for one particular Red Sox player. What makes the admission remarkable is that Chamberlain continued to dislike the player even after he joined the Yankees and became his teammate.
The name came without hesitation when Chamberlain appeared on The Eddie Mata Show.
Chamberlain names the player he could never stand
Kevin Youkilis.
The former Red Sox first baseman and third baseman won two World Series rings with Boston in 2004 and 2007. He was a three-time All-Star. He earned a Gold Glove Award. Fans at Fenway Park adored him.
Chamberlain did not share that sentiment.
“You don’t have to call out anybody, but were there any guys that you didn’t get along with in your career?” Mata asked during the interview.
“Kevin Youkilis,” Chamberlain replied instantly.
The animosity between the two had deep roots. On Aug. 30, 2007, during a game at Fenway Park, Chamberlain threw two pitches over Youkilis’ head. The umpires ejected him. Major League Baseball handed down a two-game suspension and a $1,000 fine.
That incident cemented their rivalry. Yankees fans embraced Chamberlain’s fearless approach. Red Sox fans despised him for targeting their beloved “Youk.”
Youkilis ignored his calls after signing with Yankees
The story took an unexpected turn before the 2013 season. Youkilis signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Yankees to play third base while Alex Rodriguez recovered from hip surgery.
Chamberlain tried to bury the hatchet. He picked up the phone. The results were not what he expected.
“He ended up being my teammate, too, but I just didn’t like him,” Chamberlain said. “I called him like right when he signed and he ignored me, ignored me, ignored me, and then he gets to Spring Training, and wants to be all buddy buddy.”
The attempt at reconciliation went nowhere. Youkilis never returned the call. Chamberlain was left waiting.
When Youkilis finally arrived at spring training, he acted as if nothing had happened. He wanted to be friendly. Chamberlain was not having it.
Injuries ruined Youkilis’ Yankees tenure
Whatever olive branch might have existed between them snapped quickly. Youkilis played just 28 games in pinstripes. A back injury ended his season and ultimately his career.
Chamberlain showed no sympathy.
“And then he breaks his back and doesn’t do anything for us, so that guy can go fly a kite,” Chamberlain added.
The 2013 season marked the end of the road for Youkilis. He never played another major league game. His 10-year career concluded with a .281 batting average, 150 home runs, and 618 RBIs across 1,079 games.
Two championship paths that briefly crossed
Both players earned World Series rings during their careers. They just did it wearing different colors.
Chamberlain won his championship with the 2009 Yankees. He was a first-round pick who burst onto the scene with a 0.38 ERA over 19 relief appearances in his electric 2007 debut. He recorded 10 relief appearances during that 2009 postseason run, going 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA. He earned the victory in Game 4 of the World Series against the Phillies.
Youkilis collected his rings in 2004 and 2007 with Boston. He was on the roster when the Red Sox ended their 86-year championship drought. He became a World Series hero in 2007, batting .388 with four home runs and 10 RBIs across 14 playoff games.
Their careers paralleled but rarely intersected peacefully.
Rivalry tensions ran deeper than on-field battles
Chamberlain’s beef with Youkilis was well documented during their playing days. The Yankees pitcher had a reputation for making hitters uncomfortable. Youkilis was his favorite target.
David Ortiz once issued a warning to Chamberlain about throwing at his teammate. “Just play the game the way it’s supposed to be,” Big Papi said at the time. The message sounded more like a plea than a threat.
When Youkilis joined the Yankees, some wondered if time had healed old wounds. Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano publicly endorsed the signing. They welcomed their former rival.
Chamberlain never did.
The 2009 World Series champion made that abundantly clear this week. More than a decade later, he still holds the grudge. Some rivalries simply cannot be erased by wearing the same uniform.
Chamberlain finished his 10-year career with 546 strikeouts across 388 appearances for the Yankees, Tigers, Royals, and Indians. He now works in coaching and broadcasting.
Youkilis serves as a color analyst for NESN, covering Red Sox games. The irony of that arrangement would not be lost on his former teammate.
The Yankees and Red Sox rivalry has produced memorable moments for decades. This particular chapter adds another layer to its rich history. Two players who competed fiercely against each other were forced to share a clubhouse.
It did not work.
Chamberlain made his feelings crystal clear. Some grudges last forever.
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