Three-time All-Star Kevin Youkilis retires

Three-time All-Star infielder Kevin Youkilis announced his retirement on Thursday. Youkilis, 35, played this past season in Japan before chronic plantar fasciitis ended his season early.

Three-time All-Star infielder Kevin Youkilis announced his retirement on Thursday through his representative, Pro Star Management.

Youkilis, 35, played this past season in Japan before chronic plantar fasciitis ended his season early. He played 10 major league seasons, including the first eight-and-a-half with the Boston Red Sox. He earned the nickname "The Greek God of Walks" in the book "Moneyball" for his high on-base percentage as a minor leaguer.

Youkilis was a rookie on the 2004 Red Sox team that ended the team's 86-drought between World Series victories. He started at first base for the Red Sox when they won the 2007 World Series. From 2008 through 2011, he made three of four All-Star Games. In 2008, Youkilis finished third in AL MVP voting after hitting .312 with 29 home runs and 115 RBI.

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The Red Sox traded the infielder to the Chicago White Sox in 2012, and he played his final big league season in 2013 with the New York Yankees.

Youkilis finished his career with a .281 batting average, 1,053 hits, 150 home runs, 618 RBI and a .383 on-base percentage.

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