President Barack Obama's ''thanks for Youkilis'' wisecrack at a fund-raiser Monday in Boston — as former Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis was playing his first game for the White Sox — only added an unusual twist in an unusual time for the newest Sox player.

Before playing in his second game for the Sox on Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins, Youkilis said he finally was calming down after a whirlwind

30-hour period that included the trade and his first game as a South Sider.