Big Papi notches 400th career homer

:  OAKLAND --- The Red Sox clubhouse was mostly quiet following Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics. But the action on David Ortiz's phone provided an indication that at least something special happened.

Ortiz swatted career home run No. 400 in the top of the fourth inning. And Big Papi's friends from around the league -- and there are many -- chimed in via text or voicemail.

"Oh yeah, my phone is still blowing up," said Ortiz. "I'd say around 30, 40 [messages], something like that. They're still kicking in."

His shot down the right-field line, which came against A's right-hander A.J. Griffin, tied the game at 1.

"It was in a big situation to tie the game," Ortiz said. "A lot of people were expecting that. It was just very exciting."

Few people could have expected it when the Minnesota Twins released Ortiz following the 2002 season, and anyone could have signed him. The Red Sox were the team that showed the initiative, and they've been reaping the benefits ever since.

"He was the guy that bounced around a little bit and then went to Boston and found a home -- it's an inspirational story," said A's outfielder Brandon Moss, who used to play with Ortiz in Boston. "You look at the career he ended up having, and this isn't his last year. He's just an amazing person, and he's fun to watch hit, whether you're playing with him or against him."

When Ortiz crossed home plate, he got a hug from Adrian Gonzalez, who was in the on-deck circle. Dustin Pedroia and Cody Ross were among the first players to greet him on the top step of the dugout.

"It was awesome," said Ross. "It seems like every pitch he's got that chance to do it. As soon as it went in the air, it was just a sigh of relief, for him especially to get that weight off his shoulders. I'm just so happy for him and proud."

Jasper's thoughts:  "Did you know that David Ortiz, Carl Yastrzemski, and Ted Williams all hit their 400th homerun against the A's in July?  That is quite coincidence!

Changing Sox: Youkilis traded to Chicago

:  BOSTON -- Kevin Youkilis' Red Sox career ended Sunday at the spot he last called his own as a member of the Red Sox -- third base at Fenway Park.

Youkilis' final act with the only Major League organization he has known was a seventh-inning triple to right-center field, a knock he legged out with an extra gear in his final paces before -- what else -- getting dirty. There at the bag, Nick Punto pinch-ran and Youkilis walked off to a sold-out crowd's standing ovation and one last curtain call -- his farewell to the fans who adored him for almost every day of nine seasons and two World Series rings.

Youkilis was traded after a 9-4 win over the Braves to the White Sox for 28-year-old utility player Brent Lillibridge and 25-year-old righty Zach Stewart. Boston also sent about $5.6 million to the White Sox to cover the roughly $8 million Youkilis is still owed for this season.

"He's given everything he has in every game he's ever put on the Red Sox uniform," said Dustin Pedroia, a face of the team as Youkilis once was. "It's sad."

Youkilis traded: Complete coverage •   White Sox acquire Youkilis from Red Sox  •   Changing Sox: Youkilis dealt  •   Heir apparent handed reins in Boston  •   Justice: Trade works for all involved  •   Red Sox players say Youk will be missed  •   Youkilis' bio, statistics   Youk's final Red Sox at-bat  White Sox react to trade  Cherington discusses deal  Red Sox react to trade  Valentine on Youk's ovation  Williams discusses Youkilis trade  Lillibridge on being traded  Ventura on Youkilis trade

Youkilis was not in the clubhouse after the game and the nameplate above his locker had already been removed. Before the send-off, it was clear the 33-year-old's time here had run its course. Rookie Will Middlebrooks had taken Youkilis' at-bats, and the relationship between Youkilis and manager Bobby Valentine was deteriorating. While general manager Ben Cherington said the situation had not become untenable, Youkilis had expressed how unhappy he was with the team's lack of communication on Saturday.

Cherington said Sunday Youkilis knew for some time that trade talks were under way.

"You definitely had all the ups and downs," Youkilis said the day before of his time here. "I probably could describe it to you 10 years down the road better. When you're in it, you can't really describe the stuff you're in. Somebody is going to have to remind me. ... You see it all. To be continued, shall we say."

Jasper's thoughts:   "It's sad to see youk go, but it was also time for him to leave, with Middebrooks up the way he is, there was no room for Kevin [Youkilis] on the roster."

Youk: 'I was never told what's going on'

ESPN Boston:  BOSTON -- Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis is clearly not happy with the fact that he's out of the lineup for the third consecutive game Saturday. 

He also made it a point to tell a group of reporters that he's healthy. 

"You want to play. I definitely want to play the game and enjoy it and have fun," Youkilis said. "I don't know my situation. To be honest, I was never told what's going on here -- let's get that straight." 

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said Friday he spoke with Youkilis, but the veteran infielder debunked that notion. 

"There was no conversation and I'll leave it at that," Youkilis said. "I don't want to start up anything, but there was no conversation. But it has been addressed. ... It's been addressed that I'm not playing today. Basically, there was no conversation about it and I'm just coming in here and getting my work done. If I need to pinch-hit and play the game, I'll come in and play." 

There's been serious speculation that the Red Sox are about to trade Youkilis, and there are a few teams interested in the veteran. Youkilis does not want to talk about the situation. 

"I have no thoughts on anything and I haven't been told anything, so until I'm told anything I can't really respond," Youkilis said. 

This is the first time in his career he's really had to think about the possibility of a trade. 

"It's definitely different and you've just got to go day to day," he said. "It's definitely unknown waters, but all you can do is come to the field and do your work and try to improve."