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President Obama Makes Kevin Youkilis Joke To Red Sox Fans, Who Respond Like Red Sox Fans

As you might know, Kevin Youkilis switched Sox recently, heading from the Red Sox – with whom he’d spent his entire major league career – to the White Sox. Youkilis was off to a slow start this season, and his numbers last year, while still solid overall, represented a significant dropoff from his 2008-2010 level.

Still, though, he played a lot of excellent baseball for the Red Sox, and was a part of two championship teams (and an everyday starter on one of them). For a fanbase with no title in 86 years before 2004, that was no small thing. He was a cornerstone of what’s been, prior to September of last year, a pretty damn glorious run for Boston, and its fans are sad to see him go.

So if you’re a White Sox fan, tread lightly when needling Red Sox fans about the deal. And if you’re a White Sox fan speaking to a room full of Red Sox fans – fans whose support you need for an important purpose – tread very lightly. More lightly than, say, this:

A bit of admittedly unsolicited advice, Mr. President: yes, of course you were kidding around. Yes, we know you’re crushing Romney in Massachusetts. Yes, your press secretary, always defending your honor, pointed out that many in the crowd were going, “Yoooooooooouk!” rather than booing.

Even so: do not tempt these people with any potential reason to turn on you. They are passionate. Very passionate. At best, they can now make first pitch and “Cominskey Field” jokes at your expense. Do not anger your base – lest all your base later belong to your opponent.