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Back from the brink
Returning to Southern California this week as the starting first baseman of the Washington Nationals, Young, who from 1988 to 1991 rewrote the varsity record books at Rio Mesa High, sent the first pitch he saw Monday night from Los Angeles starter Derek Lowe deep into the left-center field stands at Dodger Stadium. It was the 13th home run of the season for Young, an AllStar selection who was tied for the National League lead with a .337 batting average entering Thursday's games. Because of his production at the plate for Washington this season, Young was recently named the team's nominee for the Hank Aaron Award, which honors the top slugger from both the American and National leagues. "I wouldn't say I was shocked or surprised (to be nominated), but it definitely raised an eyebrow," Young said. "I'm not going to talk about last year, because it's been beyond documented. But it's all part of the whole 'if you do the right thing, work hard and set your priorities straight, good things will come to you' belief. (The nomination) just added on to the good fortune I've been able to have this year." To say Young's monster statistical season was unexpected would be a major understatement. Following his tumultuous 2006 campaign- a year in which Young was charged with domestic violence, attended alcohol rehab in Malibu and was released by the Detroit Tigers just as the team prepared to make its run to the World Series- it looked as if Young's professional baseball career, and perhaps his life, were in serious peril. In November, shortly after the Tigers lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series- a series Young couldn't bring himself to watch- the 12-year major league veteran slipped into a diabetic coma and spent four days in a Florida hospital. When he began to fully recover a few months later, there was little interest in Young's services on the diamond, despite his near .300 career batting average. Nationals general manager Jim Bowden, who had traded for Young when he was working for the Cincinnati Reds in the late '90s, offered the 6foot2, 245pound slugger a minor league contract. A season-ending injury to starting first baseman Nick Johnson paved the way for Young's return to the big leagues, and once the season started he never stopped hitting. "Dmitri's been great," Nationals outfielder Austin Kearns said. "He's really helped out the whole offense. We haven't scored that many runs, so he's definitely been a key part for us." Young's strong presence reverberates throughout the locker room, too. "He means as much on the field as he does in the clubhouse," Kearns said. "He's always been great to the younger guys, the guys who are just coming up. He's definitely one of our leaders." Washington center fielder Nook Logan, Young's teammate in Detroit during the 2004 and 2005 seasons, has a slender build and possesses excellent speed on the base paths- which makes him the exact physical opposite of the burly switch hitter. Still, Logan models much of his game after the Rio Mesa graduate. "The time he has in the game and the way he goes about his business and the way he's swinging the bat, his approach to the game, you just look at it and follow it," Logan said. "I've been playing with him since 2004, and I've always wanted to have a career that goes in the direction of his. I look at him as a big brother and try to follow him in the ways he prepares to play the game." After recently signing a twoyear contract extension, Young has secured a future in the nation's capital. The Nationals have a lot of young talent and will be moving into a new ballpark next season. Although they're near the bottom of the NL East standings this year, Young believes Washington is a team on the rise. "We have a real talented team, and we're not too far off at all," Young said. "There are a lot of young guys here who are hungry. "The organization is on its way up; from the owners all the way down to the ground's crew, it's top-notch. I'm so glad to be a part of this." |
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