Although we predicted the Washington Nationals to be the have-nots of the NL East (and the Majors) this season …
We do have to say we think Dmitri Young of the Nats is pretty cool.
- He’s one of only three players to hit three Home Runs on Opening Day (George Bell and Tuffy Rhodes being the others).
- He’s a big boy (reported to 2008 camp weighing 298 lbs).
- He’s got Tattoos
- He’s got a great beard
- Two words … Big Afro.
- One of his sons has a Mohawk
And he’s great in interviews … even when he’s not the one being interviewed. Here’s Da Meat Hook interrupting an interview with Nationals’ reliever Ray King.
I’ve watched that clip ten times. It makes me laugh every time.
In 2006, it looked like Young was done. He had more off the field issues than you could imagine …
- Got Divorced
- Pleaded “No-Contest” to Misdemeanor Domestic Violence (charged by a girlfriend)
- Missed Two Months while being treated for Alcohol Abuse
- Was released by the Tigers in early September
- Nearly died from a dangerous blood sugar level in late November and was diagnosed with Diabetes.
But in 2007, the Nationals pulled him off the scrap heap when they needed someone to play first base. He responded by winning the job in Spring Training and then hit .320 during the season (a career high). He became a clubhouse leader and was a mentor to many young players. The Nationals rewarded him with a two-year, $10 million extension in July 2007.
He was an All-Star and was named the 2007 NL Comeback player of the Year.
If it wasn’t for that Domestic Violence charge, we’d be even more in Young’s corner. Young has said that he had some nasty mood swings, which has been attributed to his unchecked Diabetes at the time.
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March 16th, 2008 at 12:16 am
I watched it 4 times, and it gets funnier each time. Gotta love the meat Hook. I’ve always called him Lamb Chop ever since I had him on my Strat team back in the day. Good grab Rich.