The Chicago White Sox announced Tuesday that the first pitch of their Sept. 25 game with the Cleveland Indians had been moved from 7:10 p.m. to 1:10 p.m., in order to avoid a conflict with the celebration of Yom Kippur. One man happy for the change: White Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis, who is devoutly Jewish. As Mark Gonzalez of the Tribune reported, Youkilis was obviously excited for the chance to play:
"I guess that means I can play," smiled Youkilis, who is Jewish. "I really didn't know. I know there was talk that there was something about maybe changing it for the fans on that day. But it's a good thing for the playoff stretch."
Youkilis will be fasting and praying from sundown on Sept. 25 to nightfall on Sept. 26 in observance of his religion's holiest day, and would have been unable to play during that period. He expects to be available when the White Sox take the field on the night of Sept. 26.
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