| Delmon Young’s Transformation |
By Sally Haase
July 7, 2010
Minneapolis, MN- If someone told me a year ago that Delmon (never saw a
first pitch he didn’t swing at) Young would be one of the five players in the all-
star run-off voting, I would have laughed in their face and said “you’re
crazy.” This year, after arriving at spring training 30 pounds lighter Young
has finally blossomed into the talented player all the scouts said he was.
Young has always had glimmers of greatness on the field, but he has never
been consistently great. The end of the 2009 season was a turning point for
Young; he hit .340 in September, raising his season average to .284 with
12 home runs and 60 RBI. Young has continued his hot hitting into the 2010
season, hitting .307 with 9 home runs and 56 RBI, tied with Justin Morneau
for the team lead. Young has now received all-star consideration after being
selected with four other players for the final man vote. With Nick Swisher,
Kevin Youkilis, Paul Konerko, and Michael Young also on the list it will be
hard for Delmon Young to make the roster, but he made his case last night,
going three for three with a walk and a run batted in. The Minnesota Twins
are making Young’s case too with “Drive in Delmon” TV commercials and T-
shirts urging Twins fans to vote.
Many thought Young would not even have a career in the Major Leagues
after throwing his bat at the home plate umpire over a called third strike in
2006. Young apologized the next day, saying never intended to hit the
umpire, but he never should have thrown the bat in the first place. Young
was then suspended for 50 games with out pay for his actions and never
appealed the suspension. With the exception of one incident last season,
in which Young yelled at a teammate on the field, the Twins have not had
any discipline problems with Young. In 2007 Young was called up by the
Tampa Bay Rays and had a fantastic rookie season for the lackluster at the
time Rays. He hit .288 with 13 home runs and 93 RBI. In the offseason
Young was traded to the Twins, many people, myself included were excited
about Young on the team. 93 RBI for the Rays, imagine how many runs he’ll
drive in for a team who can actually get on base. But Young struggled,
driving in 69 RBI and continued his struggles until September of last
season. Young may not get voted to the all-star team this season, but he is
only 24 and has plenty of prime years ahead of him, he will be an all-star
soon enough.
July 7, 2010
Minneapolis, MN- If someone told me a year ago that Delmon (never saw a
first pitch he didn’t swing at) Young would be one of the five players in the all-
star run-off voting, I would have laughed in their face and said “you’re
crazy.” This year, after arriving at spring training 30 pounds lighter Young
has finally blossomed into the talented player all the scouts said he was.
Young has always had glimmers of greatness on the field, but he has never
been consistently great. The end of the 2009 season was a turning point for
Young; he hit .340 in September, raising his season average to .284 with
12 home runs and 60 RBI. Young has continued his hot hitting into the 2010
season, hitting .307 with 9 home runs and 56 RBI, tied with Justin Morneau
for the team lead. Young has now received all-star consideration after being
selected with four other players for the final man vote. With Nick Swisher,
Kevin Youkilis, Paul Konerko, and Michael Young also on the list it will be
hard for Delmon Young to make the roster, but he made his case last night,
going three for three with a walk and a run batted in. The Minnesota Twins
are making Young’s case too with “Drive in Delmon” TV commercials and T-
shirts urging Twins fans to vote.
Many thought Young would not even have a career in the Major Leagues
after throwing his bat at the home plate umpire over a called third strike in
2006. Young apologized the next day, saying never intended to hit the
umpire, but he never should have thrown the bat in the first place. Young
was then suspended for 50 games with out pay for his actions and never
appealed the suspension. With the exception of one incident last season,
in which Young yelled at a teammate on the field, the Twins have not had
any discipline problems with Young. In 2007 Young was called up by the
Tampa Bay Rays and had a fantastic rookie season for the lackluster at the
time Rays. He hit .288 with 13 home runs and 93 RBI. In the offseason
Young was traded to the Twins, many people, myself included were excited
about Young on the team. 93 RBI for the Rays, imagine how many runs he’ll
drive in for a team who can actually get on base. But Young struggled,
driving in 69 RBI and continued his struggles until September of last
season. Young may not get voted to the all-star team this season, but he is
only 24 and has plenty of prime years ahead of him, he will be an all-star
soon enough.
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