Eric Young (baseball player)
Encyclopedia
Eric Orlando Young is a former Major League Baseball
second baseman
and left fielder
and current first base coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks
. He played college baseball and college football for Rutgers University
.
in 1992
, but soon became one of the original Colorado Rockies
in 1993
. He hit a home run
in the Rockies' first-ever home at bat
on April 9, 1993, as part of a 11-4 home win over the Montreal Expos
. He helped Colorado to its first postseason series appearance in 1995
, which they lost to the Atlanta Braves
, three games to one. His best seasons came with the Rockies, where he was an All-Star
and a Silver Slugger Award winner in 1996
at second base. In 1996, he hit .324, with 8 home run
s, 74 RBI and 53 stolen bases.
During the 1990s, Young was one of the top base stealers in the major leagues. He is the Rockies career leader in stolen bases and is in the top 10 in many other offensive categories. On June 30, 1996, he managed to steal second base, third base, and home plate in one inning in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 1997
, fan favorite Young was traded back to Los Angeles for pitcher Pedro Astacio
. While in Los Angeles during 1998
-1999
, Young continued his consistency by stealing bases and hitting for solid averages.
in 1999. In 2000
, while a member of the Cubs, he hit .297, with 6 home runs, 98 runs and 54 steals. In 2001
, he enjoyed a similar season. In January 2002
, Young signed as a free agent with the Milwaukee Brewers
. In 2003
, he hit 15 home runs, a career-high that almost doubled his previous best of 8 home runs. Young went on to play with the Texas Rangers
and the San Diego Padres
, where he was mainly used as a pinch runner
. On August 1, 2006
, Young was released by the Padres. He was subsequently reacquired by the Rangers and joined the team later that month. In late October, he declared free agency, but did not end up playing in the Majors again.
, is following in his father's footsteps. Eric Jr. graduated from Piscataway Township High School
in 2003 and on August 25, 2009 made his major league debut with Colorado Rockies
when Dexter Fowler
was put on the disabled list.
Young officially retired as a member of the Colorado Rockies on September 12, 2008. He was honored during a pregame ceremony that same day at Coors Field
before the Rockies took on the Los Angeles Dodgers
.
Young is also an analyst on the sports program Baseball Tonight
. He is often mentioned in the term "Souvenir City Chamber of Commerce, Eric Young President" which is the term used by host Steve Berthiaume
when showing a home run. He also calls out "Souvenir City!" when showing footage of a home run.
Young served as a roving instructor for the Houston Astros
and helped with their outfield and base running.
Young was named the Arizona Diamondbacks
first base coach on October 17, 2010.
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...
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...
and left fielder
Left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
and current first base coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. He played college baseball and college football for Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
.
1990s
Young began his MLB career with the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in 1992
1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season was a poor one for the team as it finished last in the Western Division of the National League with a record of 63 wins and 99 losses. Injuries to key players and slumps from others contributed to the franchise's worst season since moving to Los Angeles...
, but soon became one of the original Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
in 1993
1993 Colorado Rockies season
The Colorado Rockies' 1993 season was the first for the Rockies. They played in the National League West. Don Baylor was their manager. They played home games at Mile High Stadium...
. He hit a 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...
in the Rockies' first-ever home at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
on April 9, 1993, as part of a 11-4 home win over the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
. He helped Colorado to its first postseason series appearance in 1995
1995 National League Division Series
-Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Dodgers:-Game 1, October 3:Coors Field in Denver, ColoradoGame 1 was a match-up between aces: Greg Maddux for the Atlanta Braves and Kevin Ritz for the Colorado Rockies. Ritz and Maddux worked their way out of minor trouble early on, but, in the top of the third,...
, which they lost to the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, three games to one. His best seasons came with the Rockies, where he was an All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
and a Silver Slugger Award winner in 1996
1996 Colorado Rockies season
The Colorado Rockies' 1996 season was the 4th for the Rockies. They tried to win the National League West. Don Baylor was their manager. They played home games at Coors Field...
at second base. In 1996, he hit .324, with 8 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, 74 RBI and 53 stolen bases.
During the 1990s, Young was one of the top base stealers in the major leagues. He is the Rockies career leader in stolen bases and is in the top 10 in many other offensive categories. On June 30, 1996, he managed to steal second base, third base, and home plate in one inning in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 1997
1997 Colorado Rockies season
The Colorado Rockies' 1997 season was the 5th for the Rockies. They tried to win the National League West. Don Baylor was their manager. They played home games at Coors Field. They finished with a record of 83-79, third in the NL West.-Offseason:...
, fan favorite Young was traded back to Los Angeles for pitcher Pedro Astacio
Pedro Astacio
Pedro Julio Astacio is a Major League Baseball pitcher. He has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Colorado Rockies , Houston Astros , New York Mets , Boston Red Sox , Texas Rangers , the San Diego Padres and the Washington Nationals...
. While in Los Angeles during 1998
1998 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The 1998 season saw the sale of the franchise from Peter O'Malley to the News Corporation take effect. The new corporate executives would quickly anger Dodger fans when they bypassed General Manager Fred Claire and made one of the biggest trades in franchise history...
-1999
1999 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The 1999 season started with a new management team; Kevin Malone became the team's General Manager and Davey Johnson was selected to be the new Dodgers Manager. Looking to make a splash, Malone exclaimed "There is a new Sheriff in town" as he took over the reins and made a splash by signing...
, Young continued his consistency by stealing bases and hitting for solid averages.
2000s
Young was traded by the Dodgers to the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
in 1999. In 2000
2000 Chicago Cubs season
The 2000 season was the Chicago Cubs 128th in their franchise history. The Cubs played in the first game held outside of North America on Opening Day. The Cubs played the New York Mets in front of over 55,000 at the Tokyodome in Japan...
, while a member of the Cubs, he hit .297, with 6 home runs, 98 runs and 54 steals. In 2001
2001 Chicago Cubs season
The Chicago Cubs' 2001 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Cubs attempting to win the National League Central division.-Offseason:...
, he enjoyed a similar season. In January 2002
2002 Milwaukee Brewers season
The 2002 Milwaukee Brewers season involved the Brewers' finishing 6th in the National League Central with a record of 56 wins and 106 losses.-Offseason:...
, Young signed as a free agent with 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...
. In 2003
2003 Milwaukee Brewers season
The Milwaukee Brewers' 2003 season involved the Brewers' finishing 6th in the National League Central with a record of 68 wins and 94 losses.-Offseason:...
, he hit 15 home runs, a career-high that almost doubled his previous best of 8 home runs. Young went on to play with the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
and the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, where he was mainly used as a pinch runner
Pinch runner
A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. In the typical case, the pinch runner is faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been substituted...
. On August 1, 2006
2006 San Diego Padres season
The 2006 San Diego Padres season captured their second consecutive National League West crown, with a record of 88-74, and for the first time in franchise history back-to-back postseason appearances, and three consecutive winning seasons...
, Young was released by the Padres. He was subsequently reacquired by the Rangers and joined the team later that month. In late October, he declared free agency, but did not end up playing in the Majors again.
Post-playing career
Young's son, Eric Young, Jr.Eric Young, Jr.
Eric Orlando Young, Jr. is a Major League Baseball second baseman and outfielder, currently playing in the Colorado Rockies system...
, is following in his father's footsteps. Eric Jr. graduated from Piscataway Township High School
Piscataway Township High School
Piscataway Township High School is a four-year public high school in Piscataway Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States, serving students in grades 9-12 as part of the Piscataway Township Schools....
in 2003 and on August 25, 2009 made his major league debut with Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
when Dexter Fowler
Dexter Fowler
William Dexter Fowler is a Major League Baseball center fielder for the Colorado Rockies.-Baseball career:...
was put on the disabled list.
Young officially retired as a member of the Colorado Rockies on September 12, 2008. He was honored during a pregame ceremony that same day at Coors Field
Coors Field
Coors Field, located in Denver, Colorado, is the home field of Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies. It is named for the Coors Brewing Company of Golden, Colorado, which purchased the naming rights to the park prior to its completion in 1995...
before the Rockies took on the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
.
Young is also an analyst on the sports program Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight is a program that airs on ESPN. The show, which recapitulates the day's Major League Baseball action, has been on the air since 1990.-Air times:...
. He is often mentioned in the term "Souvenir City Chamber of Commerce, Eric Young President" which is the term used by host Steve Berthiaume
Steve Berthiaume
Steve Berthiaume is an anchor on ESPN and a former sportscaster for SportsNet New York . He is married to current SportsCenter anchor Cindy Brunson...
when showing a home run. He also calls out "Souvenir City!" when showing footage of a home run.
Young served as a roving instructor for the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
and helped with their outfield and base running.
Young was named the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
first base coach on October 17, 2010.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball stolen base champions
- List of Major League Baseball triples champions
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases