by Ron Kaplan
NJJN Staff Writer

January 10, 2008

Kevin Youkilis, first baseman for the World Champion Boston Red Sox, and Ryan Braun, winner of the National League’s Jackie Robinson Award as rookie of the year, were named to JVibe’s Hot List ’08, a group of Jewish celebrities considered “the best and brightest of the New Year, and those we think have a chance to make the leap from ‘star’ to ‘megastar’ before this leap year is through.”

Youkilis weighs in at number 7 on the JVibe roster with Braun in the 10 spot. They’re the only athletes on the list; the rest of the honorees are from the film world.

According to the Newton, Mass., publication for Jewish teens, “Youkilis has not only become a staple on the field but also in the Boston community, where he founded Hits for Kids, a foundation that benefits community-based children’s charities and medical research programs…. With the Red Sox heavy early season favorites to repeat, Youkilis will once again be in the spotlight in 2008.”

Braun, third baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers, was honored for putting up some monster numbers, including a .324 batting average, 34 home runs, and a .634 slugging percentage, establishing a new record for rookies. JVibe described him as a “cornerstone…for a Brewers franchise looking to make the playoffs for the first time in 16 years.”