We learned earlier that Dmitri Young and Carlos Penaare your winners of the 2007 Comeback Player of the Year award. By its very nature, winning this award is never expected. But for Young, who battled legal problems, substance abuse, and still battles diabetes, it may be one of the most unexpected comeback stories of all time. The man they call Da Meat Hook was very appreciative.
"It was very humbling to say the least," he said. "This puts a stamp on everything I've been through and what I've accomplished this year on an individual standpoint." (...)
"I didn't have any fun last year," he said. "This year, baseball, it was the best."
I guess that's the way things usually go with these comebacks ... usually, the comeback season is more enjoyable than the year before. The diabetes part of the equation is particularly interesting:
Young is still learning how to deal with his diabetes - he nearly died last winter during a four-day stint in intensive care when doctors realized his blood sugar count was dangerously high - and he admits he needs to do a better job of watching what he eats, exercising and taking medication to keep the disease under control.
"Being a diabetic, you have to follow things precisely, and with our baseball schedule, I didn't follow it precisely at all," he said. "Now that I'm going to be with the organization, they got me some good doctors and all the things I need to take care of it."
What? A funny video on You Tube involving Da Meat Hook? It can't be. But yes, it's true. Dmitri Young gets into it with pro wrestler "The Edge" in an old (circa 2005, I think) where Edge puts down Young, the Tigers, the Pistons, and even the Lions (shocking, I know) ... at the Joe Louis Arena no less. Meat Hook and the Detroit fans, who broke out into a totally spontaneous "Lets Go Red Wings" chant (probably the most spontaneous part of the whole show), get the last word and chase Edge off the stage.
Where are they now? Edge, who was blasted by Young for never having won a world title during the clip, went on to win two of them. Young, after being released from the Tigers after battling domestic violence charges and alcoholism, is now battling for the National League batting title.
Thanks to the DC Sports Bog, here's a Wizards Magazine segment on Wizards guard Caron Butler throwing out the first pitch at a recent Washington Nationals game.
Caron broke the first rule of ceremonial first pitches, which is this: If you're going to miss, miss high, don't miss low. (And certainly, don't miss like the mayor of Cincinnati did on Opening Day.)
Loved Felipe Lopez challenging Butler as if he was Allen Iverson, and Dmitri Young imploring Butler to "please throw a strike". But my favorite part was Butler's catcher (who I believe to be bullpen coach Rick Aponte) telling Butler afterward: "hey, it's a strike in bowling". Priceless!
The Atlanta Braves are looking to make a move, and they're not looking far, as Dmitri Young may be available to be pried out of division rival Washington. But the price will be high for the Nationals only All-Star.
The Braves made a run at Nationals first baseman Dmitri Young, and the talks advanced to the point where Nats assistant GM Mike Rizzo scouted the Braves' Class AA club. However, the discussions cooled due to the Nats' high asking price, according to a major-league source.
The acquisition of Young would have enabled the Braves to return rookie catcher/first baseman Jarrod Saltalamacchia to Class AAA. It is unlikely the team would have attempted to demote rookie first baseman, Scott Thorman, who is out of options.
The Braves lineup is already tied for second in the N.L. in average, and fourth in OBP (only .004 out of second). But with Chipper Jones constantly fighting nagging injuries, Andruw Jones in an endless slump, this would be a move that makes sense for both parties (if the teams can agree on a price). Hopefully for Young, the Braves allow tasty treats in their clubhouse*.
*Dmitri Young batted .397 in May (before the junk food ban) and .377 in June (post junk-food ban) putting a hole in the theory that Dmitri Young needs potato chips to hit.
With Nick Johnson out of action as he recovers from his gruesome injury late last season, the Nats are in search of a first baseman to pick up the slack. Many assume it will be Larry Broadway, but a new candidate has emerged. Well, he's not so new ... you've heard of him. Ladies and gentlemen I give you: Da Meat Hook.
The 33-year-old was signed to a minor-league, non-guaranteed contract on Feb. 24. He is a career .289 hitter with 154 home runs and 599 RBI in a 10-year career that has included stints in St. Louis, Cincinnati and Detroit.
"We haven't made any plans yet," Nationals manager Manny Acta told reporters in Viera. "This is a special occasion because of the split squad and the need of players, so we're going to give him the first look. He's still just getting in physical shape and we'll go from there."
Asked what kind of shape he's in Thursday night, Young simply said, "Baseball shape."
"Baseball shape" is a nice way of reminding you that round is a shape.
So is that minor league contract going to become a major league one?
"Whenever Bowden is ready to pull the trigger," he said.
I worry for Jim Bowden. Could Dmitri Young be the next player to leap over a desk and punch him? He would immediately move to even money to do so. Baseball shape or not, I would think that Meat Hook could do some serious damage ... that is, if he can make it over the desk.
We learned earlier that Dmitri Young and Carlos Pena are your winners of the 2007 Comeback Player of the Year award. By its very nature, winning this award is never expected. But for Young, who battled legal problems, substance abuse, and still battles diabetes, it may be one of the most unexpected comeback stories of all time. The man they call Da Meat Hook was very appreciative.
The Atlanta Braves are looking to make a move, and they're not looking far, as Dmitri Young may be available to be pried out of division rival Washington. But the price will be high for the Nationals 
With Nick Johnson out of action as he recovers from his gruesome injury late last season, the Nats are in search of a first baseman to pick up the slack. Many assume it will be Larry Broadway, but a new candidate has emerged. Well, he's not so new ... you've heard of him. Ladies and gentlemen I give you: 
