Kevin Youkilis put on pinstripes and played at Yankee Stadium for the first time as a member of the New York Yankees on Monday afternoon.
Adding to the drama was the opponent, the Boston Red Sox.
"I've been playing New York Yankees baseball for over a month now," Youkilis said. "I think we need to move on past that. I play for the Yankees now. I think we're making it more than it is. I go out and play; I don't sit down and stare at my uniform all game.
"I don't look and say, 'Oh wow, look at these pinstripes! This is pretty cool!' I just go out and play baseball. That's part of the business. You play for an organization, you have pride in that organization when you play for it and you just play baseball. Keep it simple."
Youkilis joined Johnny Damon (2005-06) and Wade Boggs (1992-93) as the most recent players to start season openers with the Yankees the year after they did so with the Red Sox.