http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=134002&format=text BALTIMORE - Kevin Youkilis was talking about all the advice he has been getting about how to play first base the correct way. Then, just for fun, the name of Kevin Millar, the guy he replaced who now is playing first for the Baltimore Orioles, was brought up. What words of wisdom, if any, did the Karaoke Guy, not known for being a Gold Glove candidate, ever offer? “Millar?” Youkilis said. He snorted, softly. “No. He’d always joke around, ‘Don’t watch me. Go watch John Olerud.’ ” Rock-solid advice from Mr. Cowboy Up, whose value to the Red Sox dropped off the charts last season when his offensive struggles and his mediocrity in the field led to the end of his memorable, three-year stint in Boston. Millar undoubtedly will be heard, loud and clear, this afternoon when the Sox and O’s mingle during batting practice. Perhaps Millar will notice Youkilis, expected to be in Terry Francona’s lineup as the starting first baseman, has shed a few pounds from last year. If he pays close attention during the game, he might also notice Youkilis looks a lot more at home playing first than he did last season. Nobody is comparing Youkilis’ defense to that of Mark Grace or Keith Hernandez. It is worth noting, however, that a player who rose to fame in the minor leagues (and in Michael Lewis’ book “Moneyball”) for his discerning eye at the plate has been working hard at making the transition from third base to first. Until the middle of March, he simply was not ready to say he had gotten over the hump. In the past three weeks, however, Youkilis has cleared both a physical and mental hurdle when it comes to playing his position. “Ever since (mid-March), it’s gotten easier and easier playing first,” Youkilis said. “My first week or two of games, though, whew. I never felt comfortable in spring training, but I feel a lot better now. “I know what to do. I feel comfortable.” Youkilis said his single biggest challenge remaining is figuring out where to position himself when a power-hitting lefty comes up and hits a ball up the middle with runners on base. In that situation, he usually is playing back and toward the foul line, so he has to sprint to the proper position to get any necessary relay throw. If that is Youkilis’ biggest worry, it’s a good sign he has made progress. Being lighter and looking more agile has not hurt his learning curve, either. “I think he’s made a lot of progress,” Francona said. “I think he’s done a great job, and more importantly, I think the pitchers feel that way, too.” After the Red Sox made their offseason trade with the Florida Marlins for Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell, Youkilis was told by his agent and “assistant general manager” Curt Schilling (as Youkilis calls him) that he would be playing more first base. Youkilis had all winter to get prepared to shift to the other side of the infield, and now, after six weeks of spring training, the fruits of his efforts will be shown on a nearly daily basis. --

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