BOSTON -- THE REASON the affair was so anticipated was the sight of a couple of familiar yet recently unseen faces coming back again to Fenway Park.

But really, more than those returns, Monday night was about new beginnings.

Surely, it was one more chance for the faithful to show their appreciation for everything Kevin Youkilis did over the nine seasons he spent wearing Red Sox, and a chance for those same fans to finally start seeing if Carl Crawford can make them forget his disappointing first season in Boston. But both of the players said prior to the contest that they're more interested in writing the next chapter than re-reading the last.

And, especially now that this occasion has come and gone, everybody else can be, too.

Now Red Sox Nation has seen for itself the sight of a former fixture wearing enemy threads. Now it has $20 million left fielder guarding the lawn in front of the Green Monster. So now it's time to deal with the new reality — which will ultimately determine the direction this season is headed.

“Whatever happened in the past through the many years, there's been a lot of great moments, a lot of down moments and a lot of in-between — I'm not going to reflect on those,” Youkilis said. “I'm going to keep moving forward and playing ball. That's what it's all about.”

Chicago's new third baseman made those comments during a pre-game press conference where he appeared to be at peace with his place in the visitors' clubhouse, and which kicked off a three-hour reunion tour.

He saw some of his teammates around the cage during batting practice. He signed autographs for fans as he headed to the clubhouse. When he reemerged to stretch pre-game, he hadn't even reached the third-base line before the early arrivers started cheering his appearance. He then stepped to the plate, tipping his cap as the standing crowd serenaded him with cries of “Youk!”

But then it was on to baseball. In his first at-bat, Youkilis smacked a ground single through the middle — then proceeded to score the game's first run in a most unlikely fashion. Seeing that his replacement, rookie Will Middlebrooks, had inexcusably left third base unoccupied when the infield shifted, Youkilis never stopped on a ground ball to second baseman Pedro Ciriaco, then he came all the way around when Adrian Gonzalez's throw got away from the trailing-in-pursuit Middlebrooks.

Next time up, Youkilis lifted a laser high off the wall in left-center. With that, Youkilis' night already featured some heads-up hustle and a double. Anybody who came looking to be reminded of why he was such a popular player here for so long could've left after the third inning.

So could those seeking evidence of what an intense, high-strung hitter might be capable of doing outside the Red Sox's pressure cooker.

“I would say there's less drama all around,” said Youkilis, who added another double in the sixth, and arrived hitting .295 since his June 24 trade for minor-league pitcher Zach Stewart and utility man Brent Lillibridge — who was designated for assignment Monday to make roster room for Crawford. “No offense to you (reporters), but there's always a story.

“With us, you come to the game, you play, it's over with, you get a question. There's no drama or questions all the time. It's just fun. We're also second-fiddle to the Cubs, so it's great. It's easy.”

Crawford can relate to the difficult differences of playing in Boston. He admitted that “I lost a lot of confidence in myself” while hitting .255 during the first year of a $142 million free-agent contract, and felt pressure to get back even as he worked through injuries and a stop-and-start rehabilitation.

But he said during the offseason that he looked forward to the opportunity to live up to that contract, and Monday he began that mission. The response to him wasn't nearly what it was to Youkilis — there was more applause than usual, but neither prolonged nor passionate — though the initial result was rather similar.

Reaching down for a breaking ball, Crawford also whacked a bouncing single into center, and he, too, scored his team's first run. He hit the ball even harder in his second at-bat, and though it was laced directly at a well-placed right fielder, it was another swing in the direction Crawford hopes he's headed.

“I definitely want to prove to myself that I can still play this game at a high level and contribute to the team,” Crawford told reporters. “It's been really frustrating for me. I've had to stay strong mentally, basically. I can take care of the physical part, but, mentally, I broke down a little bit. I think I'm in a good place now, (I) understand some things better, and having that approach I think will help me out a lot this year.”

And as of Monday, the rest of this year is what it's all about for Crawford — given what he could do for his perception locally if he provides a boost that helps get this team to the playoffs — and for Youkilis — who for that reason shied away from discussion of a rift between he and Bobby Valentine.Given the rumors of such, it was an inevitable talking point in his return.

But Youkilis wouldn't have it. Not on this night for new beginnings.

Dave D'Onofrio covers the Red Sox for the New Hampshire Union Leader and Sunday News. His e-mail address is ddonof13@gmail.com.