Delmon Young
Encyclopedia
Delmon Damarcus Young is an American professional baseball
outfielder
with the Detroit Tigers
of Major League Baseball
. He is the younger brother of former major league outfielder
and first baseman
Dmitri Young
. He was born in Montgomery, Alabama
.
Young is known for having a strong and accurate throwing arm. Don Zimmer
, now a consultant with the Rays, has compared Young's arm to that of Jesse Barfield
or Raúl Mondesí
. In terms of hitting ability, at 6'3", 205 pounds, he presents an intimidating and strong plate presence, and his potential has often been compared to that of Albert Belle
.
in 2003, located in Camarillo, California
, whereupon he was drafted first overall in the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft
.
In , Young hit
.336 with 20 home run
s, 71 RBI
and an OPS of .968 in 2005, in 84 games with Double-A Montgomery
, winning the Southern League
MVP despite playing barely more than half the season. Young was promoted to Triple-A Durham
on July 15, 2005, where he batted .285 with six home runs and 28 RBI in 52 games. After the season was over, he was named Baseball America
's Minor League Player of the Year, not to mention its #1 overall prospect
for the season. Young finished his minor league career with a .318 batting average.
in a game against the Pawtucket Red Sox
, Young threw his bat at the umpire after being called out on strikes. He stared at the umpire for some time and refused to leave the batter's box. He finally did, but then started to return to his dugout and the center field camera caught him throwing his bat underhand, end-over-end, toward the umpire. The bat hit the umpire on his chest and arm but he was not seriously hurt.
The next day, Young issued an apology through his agent, claiming that he had not intended for the bat to actually strike the umpire, but acknowledging that it was unacceptable to have thrown the bat at all. The International League
initially suspended Young indefinitely, then announced on May 9, 2006, he would be suspended for 50 games, without pay, retroactive to the day of the incident. Young had the option to appeal the suspension, but chose not to do so. The suspension ended on June 19, 2006.
This altercation was not the first he had with an umpire during a game. In 2005, while playing for the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits, Young received a three-game suspension for bumping an umpire.
On August 28, , the Devil Rays called Young up to the major leagues after it was decided that Jonny Gomes
had to undergo season-ending surgery. Thirty-one games remained of the 2006 Devil Rays season when he was promoted. His first game at the major league level was against the Chicago White Sox
and occurred on August 29, 2006, ten years to the day after his older brother Dmitri played in his first major league game. In Delmon's first major league plate appearance, White Sox pitcher Freddy Garcia
hit Young with a first-pitch fastball. After striking out in his first official at-bat, Young stroked a curveball
for a 412 feet (125.6 m) two-run home run, which was his first major league hit
.
As a 21-year-old in , Young finished second in American League
Rookie of the Year voting to Boston
second baseman
Dustin Pedroia
, hitting .288 with 13 home runs and 93 RBI. Young was also a unanimous selection to the 2007 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team
. The selection was the result of the 49th annual Topps balloting of Major League managers.
On November 28, 2007, the Rays traded Young, along with Brendan Harris
and Jason Pridie
, to the Minnesota Twins for Jason Bartlett, Matt Garza
, and Eduardo Morlan.
Young had an impressive spring training
. In 36 at-bats, he batted .361 with two doubles
, one home run, and seven RBI, locking up his spot in left field for opening day. Young finished the season with 8 errors, more than any other left fielder in the majors, while his 11 assists led AL left fielders.
In 2008, Young had played in 152 games with the Minnesota Twins, batting .290 with 10 home runs and 69 RBI. He got off to a slow start in 2009, but had a good September, finishing with 12 home runs, 60 RBI and a .284 batting average.
With the trade of Carlos Gomez
to the Milwaukee Brewers
, Young became the Twins' starting left fielder for the 2010 season. During the off-season Young shed 35 pounds, now weighing 200. The 2010 season ended up being Young's best offensive season to date. Young hit .298 with 21 home runs and 112 RBI, finished tenth in the voting for AL MVP, and was a finalist for a spot on the American League All-Star roster through the online All-Star Final Vote
. On defense he led AL left fielders in errors, with 4, and had the lowest fielding percentage, at .984.
. That night, the Tigers played the Twins, he batted in the number three spot in front of Miguel Cabrera
. In his first at bat with the Tigers, Young hit a home run to left field. In 2011, he batted a combined .268 with 12 home runs, while on defense he tied for the major league lead in errors by a left fielder, with 7.
In his first at bat in the playoffs as a Tiger, Young hit a home run to right field off C.C. Sabathia
. In addition to his earlier post-season home run, Delmon hit the game winning home run in the bottom of the seventh inning off Rafael Soriano
, giving Detroit a 2–1 lead over the Yankees in the ALDS. In Game 5, Young suffered a strained oblique muscle and was left off the ALCS roster. He was activated to play in game 2. During Game 5 of the ALCS against the Texas Rangers, Young hit two home runs off C.J. Wilson, scoring three runs. He is the fourth Detroit Tiger to hit more than one home run in a postseason game (after Alan Trammell
, Kirk Gibson
and Magglio Ordóñez
).
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. He is the younger brother of former major league outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
and first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
Dmitri Young
Dmitri Young
Dmitri Dell Young is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Young is 6'2" and 275 pounds...
. He was born in Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
.
Young is known for having a strong and accurate throwing arm. Don Zimmer
Don Zimmer
Donald William "Popeye" Zimmer is a former infielder, manager, and coach in Major League Baseball, currently serving as a senior advisor to the Tampa Bay Rays baseball organization...
, now a consultant with the Rays, has compared Young's arm to that of Jesse Barfield
Jesse Barfield
Jesse Lee Barfield is a former Major League Baseball right fielder who played for the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees . He batted and threw right-handed. He lived in Tenafly, a suburb of New York City.Barfield was well known for his powerful, accurate throwing arm...
or Raúl Mondesí
Raúl Mondesí
Raúl Ramón Mondesí Avelino is a former Major League Baseball player and the current mayor of San Cristóbal Province in the Dominican Republic. He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1994 as a right fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers...
. In terms of hitting ability, at 6'3", 205 pounds, he presents an intimidating and strong plate presence, and his potential has often been compared to that of Albert Belle
Albert Belle
Albert Jojuan Belle is a former American Major League Baseball outfielder for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, and Baltimore Orioles...
.
Minor league career
Young graduated from Adolfo Camarillo High SchoolAdolfo Camarillo High School
Adolfo Camarillo High School is a high school located at 4660 Mission Oaks Boulevard in Camarillo, California. It was recognized as a California Distinguished School in 1996 and in 2009 and a National Blue Ribbon School in 1998. It is part of the Oxnard Union High School District. The land was...
in 2003, located in Camarillo, California
Camarillo, California
Camarillo is a city in Ventura County, California, United States. The population was 65,201 at the 2010 census, up from 57,084 at the 2000 census. The Ventura Freeway Camarillo is a city in Ventura County, California, United States. The population was 65,201 at the 2010 census, up from 57,084 at...
, whereupon he was drafted first overall in the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft
2003 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 3 and 4. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.Source: -First round selections:...
.
In , Young hit
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.336 with 20 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, 71 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
and an OPS of .968 in 2005, in 84 games with Double-A Montgomery
Montgomery Biscuits
The Montgomery Biscuits are a minor league baseball team based in Montgomery, Alabama. The team is the Class AA affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays and plays in the Southern League. The 2004 season was the team's first in Montgomery...
, winning the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
MVP despite playing barely more than half the season. Young was promoted to Triple-A Durham
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
on July 15, 2005, where he batted .285 with six home runs and 28 RBI in 52 games. After the season was over, he was named Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
's Minor League Player of the Year, not to mention its #1 overall prospect
Prospect
Prospect may refer to:* Prospect , a Scottish architecture magazine* Prospect High School , various high schools* Prospect House, the former President's residence and current faculty club of Princeton University...
for the season. Young finished his minor league career with a .318 batting average.
Umpire controversy and suspension
On April 26, 2006, while playing for the Triple-A Durham BullsDurham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
in a game against the Pawtucket Red Sox
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
, Young threw his bat at the umpire after being called out on strikes. He stared at the umpire for some time and refused to leave the batter's box. He finally did, but then started to return to his dugout and the center field camera caught him throwing his bat underhand, end-over-end, toward the umpire. The bat hit the umpire on his chest and arm but he was not seriously hurt.
The next day, Young issued an apology through his agent, claiming that he had not intended for the bat to actually strike the umpire, but acknowledging that it was unacceptable to have thrown the bat at all. The International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
initially suspended Young indefinitely, then announced on May 9, 2006, he would be suspended for 50 games, without pay, retroactive to the day of the incident. Young had the option to appeal the suspension, but chose not to do so. The suspension ended on June 19, 2006.
This altercation was not the first he had with an umpire during a game. In 2005, while playing for the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits, Young received a three-game suspension for bumping an umpire.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2006–2007)
Jonny Gomes
Jonathan Johnson "Jonny" Gomes is an American professional baseball outfielder.-Early years:...
had to undergo season-ending surgery. Thirty-one games remained of the 2006 Devil Rays season when he was promoted. His first game at the major league level was against the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
and occurred on August 29, 2006, ten years to the day after his older brother Dmitri played in his first major league game. In Delmon's first major league plate appearance, White Sox pitcher Freddy Garcia
Freddy García
Freddy Antonio García , nicknamed "The Chief", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who is currently a free agent...
hit Young with a first-pitch fastball. After striking out in his first official at-bat, Young stroked a curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
for a 412 feet (125.6 m) two-run home run, which was his first major league hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
.
As a 21-year-old in , Young finished second in American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
Rookie of the Year voting to Boston
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
Dustin Pedroia
Dustin Pedroia
Dustin Luis Pedroia is an American professional baseball second baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. Pedroia has won several awards in Major League Baseball, including the 2007 American League Rookie of the Year and the 2008 AL MVP award...
, hitting .288 with 13 home runs and 93 RBI. Young was also a unanimous selection to the 2007 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team
Topps All-Star Rookie Rosters
This is a year-by-year list of the Topps All-Star Rookie teams. Note that players selected for a particular team appear in the following year's set release...
. The selection was the result of the 49th annual Topps balloting of Major League managers.
On November 28, 2007, the Rays traded Young, along with Brendan Harris
Brendan Harris
Brendan Michael Harris Brendan Michael Harris Brendan Michael Harris (born August 26, 1980 in Albany, New York is a Major League Baseball utility infielder who is a free agent.Brendan grew up in Queensbury, New York and led the Spartans to the 1998 State Baseball Tournament. He graduated from the...
and Jason Pridie
Jason Pridie
Jason Orville Pridie is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball.-Tampa Bay Rays:...
, to the Minnesota Twins for Jason Bartlett, Matt Garza
Matt Garza
Matthew Scott Garza is a United States professional baseball pitcher with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball.-Amateur career:He attended Washington Union High School and Fresno State.-Minnesota Twins:...
, and Eduardo Morlan.
Minnesota Twins (2008–2011)
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. In 36 at-bats, he batted .361 with two doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, one home run, and seven RBI, locking up his spot in left field for opening day. Young finished the season with 8 errors, more than any other left fielder in the majors, while his 11 assists led AL left fielders.
In 2008, Young had played in 152 games with the Minnesota Twins, batting .290 with 10 home runs and 69 RBI. He got off to a slow start in 2009, but had a good September, finishing with 12 home runs, 60 RBI and a .284 batting average.
With the trade of Carlos Gomez
Carlos Gómez
Carlos Argelis Gómez Pena, nicknamed "Go-Go", is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers.-Minor leagues:...
to the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, Young became the Twins' starting left fielder for the 2010 season. During the off-season Young shed 35 pounds, now weighing 200. The 2010 season ended up being Young's best offensive season to date. Young hit .298 with 21 home runs and 112 RBI, finished tenth in the voting for AL MVP, and was a finalist for a spot on the American League All-Star roster through the online All-Star Final Vote
All-Star Final Vote
All-Star Final Vote is an annual Internet and text message ballot by Major League Baseball fans to elect the final player for each team that participates in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game after all other selections have been made and announced on national television. The first 33 players...
. On defense he led AL left fielders in errors, with 4, and had the lowest fielding percentage, at .984.
Detroit Tigers (2011–present)
Young was traded to the Detroit Tigers in a waiver trade on August 15, 2011, for minor league pitcher Cole Nelson and Lester OliverosLester Oliveros
Lester Jesus Oliveros Blanco is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher in the Minnesota Twins organization. He is 6'0" tall and he weighs 225 pounds.-Minor leagues:...
. That night, the Tigers played the Twins, he batted in the number three spot in front of Miguel Cabrera
Miguel Cabrera
José Miguel Cabrera Torres nicknamed "Miggy", is a Venezuelan professional baseball first baseman with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....
. In his first at bat with the Tigers, Young hit a home run to left field. In 2011, he batted a combined .268 with 12 home runs, while on defense he tied for the major league lead in errors by a left fielder, with 7.
In his first at bat in the playoffs as a Tiger, Young hit a home run to right field off C.C. Sabathia
C.C. Sabathia
Carsten Charles "CC" Sabathia is an American professional baseball pitcher with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball...
. In addition to his earlier post-season home run, Delmon hit the game winning home run in the bottom of the seventh inning off Rafael Soriano
Rafael Soriano
Rafael Soriano is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the New York Yankees. He bats and throws right-handed...
, giving Detroit a 2–1 lead over the Yankees in the ALDS. In Game 5, Young suffered a strained oblique muscle and was left off the ALCS roster. He was activated to play in game 2. During Game 5 of the ALCS against the Texas Rangers, Young hit two home runs off C.J. Wilson, scoring three runs. He is the fourth Detroit Tiger to hit more than one home run in a postseason game (after Alan Trammell
Alan Trammell
Alan Stuart Trammell is a retired American baseball shortstop of the Detroit Tigers from to . Trammell, nicknamed "Tram", played his entire career with the Tigers, highlighted by a World Series championship in and an American League East division championship in . Although his arm was not...
, Kirk Gibson
Kirk Gibson
Kirk Harold Gibson is a former Major League Baseball player and currently the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. As a player, Gibson was an outfielder who batted and threw left-handed...
and Magglio Ordóñez
Magglio Ordóñez
Magglio José Ordóñez Delgado is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right fielder. He has played for the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers . Ordóñez is six feet, one inch tall and weighs .-Professional career:...
).
External links
- Twins TV commercial (also with Tony OlivaTony OlivaTony Pedro Oliva is a former Major League Baseball right fielder and designated hitter. He played his entire 15-year baseball career for the Minnesota Twins . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
, Rod CarewRod CarewRodney Cline "Rod" Carew is a former Major League Baseball first baseman, second baseman and coach. He played from 1967 to 1985 for the Minnesota Twins and the California Angels and was elected to the All-Star game every season except his last. In 1991, Carew was inducted into the National...
, Harmon KillebrewHarmon KillebrewHarmon Clayton Killebrew , nicknamed "Killer" and "Hammerin' Harmon", was an American professional baseball first baseman, third baseman, and left fielder. During his 22-year career in Major League Baseball , he played for the Washington Senators, a team which later became the Minnesota Twins, and...
, and Kent HrbekKent HrbekFrequently injured , Hrbek retired after the players strike in 1994, citing his nagging injury problems and desire to spend more time with his wife and daughter at their home in Bloomington, MN...
)