11/21/24
May 09, 2006
Young Suspended 50 games: This kid has tons of talent but apparently has an anger problem. Maybe this will wake him up before he destroys his career.
apparently has an anger problem. Maybe this will wake him up before he destroys his career. Apparently you have an extrapolating problem. Hopefully this comment will wake you up before you destroy your Internet reputation.
posted by yerfatma at 05:23 PM on May 09, 2006
Fifty games might sound harsh, but had he hit the umpire squarely in the face and caused a debilitating injury, he'd probably be out for a year or maybe life. Again, I wonder about this, though -- if Young comes back and at some later point in his career attacks someone with a bat (or whatever assault would occur), wouldn't the victim have an excellent lawsuit against not only Young, but his employers for hiring him and putting back into a situation he couldn't handle earlier? On preview: yerfatma, could you clarify? Are you saying Young doesn't have an anger management problem, or you saying it's jumping to a conclusion to think it might destroy him?
posted by wfrazerjr at 05:26 PM on May 09, 2006
How can such a bad guy have such a docile brother
posted by gmactothemax91 at 05:31 PM on May 09, 2006
jumping to a conclusion to think it might destroy him? That one. Actually, I have no idea if he has "an anger management problem" either. Athletes at competitive levels tend to be emotional pricks. Young just happened to act out. I don't have a problem with the suspension. I wouldn't have a problem with a season-long suspension. While I appreciate this kind of story is hard to post ("Young suspended, here's the link") and add value to, overwrought, purple prose goes up my spine. So, upon reflection, I'm the dick. And I'm ok with that. But, upon preview: How can such a bad guy have such a docile brother How do we know he's a bad guy? How do we know his brother has been domesticated? It's perfectly possible either of them might someday seduce a white woman.
posted by yerfatma at 05:38 PM on May 09, 2006
Yerfatma what would you have said had you posted this link? I hope this helps Young get over the incident and move on as a better man. I don't think anyone can argue that he doesn't have talent, and it is things like this that hold that type of talent back. Hopefully Young learns from his mistake and comes back in June better than ever.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 05:42 PM on May 09, 2006
Yerfatma what would you have said had you posted this link?
posted by yerfatma at 05:59 PM on May 09, 2006
Is this really the right guy to be working with youth ballplayers? Perhaps a better community service would have been to umpire some games.See how the other half lives
posted by yankee0758 at 06:48 PM on May 09, 2006
Friedman said he did not believe Young has anger management issues. "I think one of the things that works for him and one of the things that works against him is his competitiveness," Friedman said. "I don't think he knows how to draw that line like some others do. I think you guys are jumping to conclusions by saying he has anger management problems. Even the league that suspended him says that he is a competitive guy who doesn't know how to handle it. That said, I think until he learns how to handle that competitiveness I wouldn't want him working with my kids.
posted by skydivemom at 07:02 PM on May 09, 2006
Friedman said he did not believe Young has anger management issues. Not sure which planet Friedman was on when he said that. It's not like the first time Young had a physical confrontation with an umpire. In Double-A ball last year, Young was suspended for three games by the Southern League for bumping the chest of plate umpire Jeff Latter. Young may want the Triple Crown of being suspended in the top tier of the majors.
posted by irunfromclones at 07:25 PM on May 09, 2006
I dont think his career is over yet, but only because of Dimitri. If he had no no backround, then he would have gotten his walking papers a LONG time ago.
posted by redsoxrgay at 07:28 PM on May 09, 2006
I dont think his career is over yet, but only because of Dimitri. If he had no no backround, then he would have gotten his walking papers a LONG time ago. You MUST be joking. He's easily the most anticipated player in the minor leagues in years. Every single scouting reference in baseball lists him as the #1 prospect. They haven't talked about a hitter like this in the minors since some kid named Alex Rodriguez rolled around. Even if he'd beaten the umpire into the dirt with the bat, every single franchise would wait out the one-year suspension, he's that good.
posted by grum@work at 07:55 PM on May 09, 2006
your right grum, he'll play major league ball no matter what ,short of murder. i'm looking for most close calls to go against him early in his career. Umpires have long memories.
posted by yankee0758 at 08:05 PM on May 09, 2006
your right grum, he'll play major league ball no matter what ,short of murder. i'm looking for most close calls to go against him early in his career. Umpires have long memories. Actually, there might not be an umpire backlash. The umpire he struck with the bat was a "scab" umpire (the minor league ones are in the middle of a labour dispute), and the umpire union in MLB would probably be very happy to see a "scab" get abused like that.
posted by grum@work at 08:10 PM on May 09, 2006
Yeah, I wondered about that, grum. Maybe the union guys are all laughing behind their hands at the incident. Kind of makes their position stronger, doesn't it?
posted by lil_brown_bat at 08:43 PM on May 09, 2006
...and after he tossed the bat, Young sang a few choruses of, "Which Side Are You On". (no, no, wait, that would be terribly wrong)
posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:14 PM on May 09, 2006
Suspend the imp for life.
posted by T$PORT4lawschool at 10:31 PM on May 09, 2006
Fifty games seems good to me. I'm with yerfatma about the purple prose thing too, but it's a little nitpicky. And grum is most definitely correct - Young's trumpet has been blowing for two years now. I don't even think this will slow him down too much and he'll be in the majors by next year. And fatty - I love that you got away with the seduce a white woman line. High comedy.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 07:56 AM on May 10, 2006
Ever since the incident, this guy's acted with class and restraint. In his apologies over the days following the throw he took full responsibility for what he did, made no excuses, and sounded truly, humbly sorry for attacking the umpire. Not for the umpire getting the call wrong, or for the league's reaction, or any of the many things that slide by as "apologies" these days. And now he's accepting a long suspension without appeal? It's entirely possible this is just a case of good handlers, and Young is inwardly bridling against such an unjust penalty, but the only evidence we have of his mindset is his actions. Aside from the whole bat-throwing incident, this guy seems like a real mensch.
posted by Hugh Janus at 08:15 AM on May 10, 2006
"Aside from the whole bat-throwing incident, this guy seems like a real mensch." Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?
posted by mr_crash_davis at 09:13 AM on May 10, 2006
Kevin Mench would never do that!
posted by dyams at 09:39 AM on May 10, 2006
Actually, I have no idea if he has "an anger management problem" either. I do. He threw a bat at an umpire after disagreeing over a called strike. That's an unreasonable response, hence an "anger management" issue. Athletes at competitive levels tend to be emotional pricks. Young just happened to act out. So he's an emotional prick ... so what? So am I -- is that an excuse if I smash someone over the head with my five-iron if he coughs during my backswing? On preview: Kevin Mench would never do that! Of course he wouldn't. His shoes are too damned tight.
posted by wfrazerjr at 10:12 AM on May 10, 2006
I'm going to take the entirety of the "fraze sticks to his guns and maintains a world of harsh black and white in the face of overwhelming evidence of shades of gray*" as read. * Evidence of grey will have to await Canadian scientists. When they finish working on hockey stick curvature.
posted by yerfatma at 10:37 AM on May 10, 2006
Suspend the imp ump for life. Maybe Young was hired by the umpires' union to "send a message" to the scab umps? I've heard the talk shows commenting on this issue, and they're all saying that 50 games is too lenient. Considering that this is the harshest penalty handed down in Minor League Baseball history, I don't think it's too lenient. I think that it's setting a precedent.
posted by wingnut4life at 10:42 AM on May 10, 2006
I used to Ump so I have been in the line of fire. Gave it up after I got chased to the car by a bunch of 17-18 year olds with bats. Not worth the $25 bucks a game. I have a real problem with this. Currently I have a 7 year old playing his first year after T-ball. The first thing the coach talked to the kids about was throwing your bat. This guy has had to have been told through his years of playing ball, the same thing. Not just after hitting the ball but about throwing anything in anger on the ball field. This is Young’s second bat throwing incident. Blue chip talent a side, (& MLB brother) I feel he should have been sat down for the remainder of the year. How do you punish the guy by making him work with kids? “Today we are going to go over dirt kicking after a bad call, & tomorrow we will cover throwing equipment out of the dugout” Maybe his work with the Miracle kids will snap him into reality so he realizes what a privilege it is to be able to play at a high level. I would make him work with young up & coming umpires! No, even better make him UMP little league. I guarantee you he would have a new found respect for the men in blue.
posted by directpressure at 10:43 AM on May 10, 2006
There are shades of gray in my world, yerfatma. I just tend to reserve them for cases where they might be useful ... and this isn't one of them. Do I need to know Young's reasoning (or lack thereof) for it? No, he threw a bat at an umpire. Do I need to hear about Young's problems or anger issues? No, he threw a bat at an umpire. Is there any reason short of self-preservation for a player to throw a bat at an umpire? No, there isn't. So where's the gray area? If you'd like to find an excuse for Young's behavior, be my guest. I won't waste my time.
posted by wfrazerjr at 11:39 AM on May 10, 2006
Your right yerfatma I should probably just quit posting on this site at all. Since my post was not approved by you. If I ever post here again I'll make sure I get your approval first.
posted by scottypup at 12:30 PM on May 10, 2006
I dont really think Dimitri had that much of an impact on the suspension i mean hes a good player and all but the only reason he made the all star games those years was because the Tigers were so damn godawful that they couldnt pick anyone else without having a riot
posted by gmactothemax91 at 01:46 PM on May 10, 2006
If I ever post here again I'll make sure I get your approval first. Totally not what I meant (I have no problem iwth the post itself, but with the baseless editorializing), but take it however you wish. Do you have a link to support the suggestion Young is self-destructive?
posted by yerfatma at 01:59 PM on May 10, 2006
is that an excuse if I smash someone over the head with my five-iron if he coughs during my backswing? Sounds to me like you simply need to learn how to channel your competitiveness, or control your temper, no...wait that last part insinuates an anger management problem. Just channel your competitive nature. wouldn't the victim have an excellent lawsuit against not only Young, but his employers for hiring him and putting back into a situation Yes, it's called negligent hiring. Good point.
posted by tselson at 02:24 PM on May 10, 2006
yerfatma I never said he was self destructive. I said hopefully it will wake him up before he destroy's his career. A lesser prospect with two of these such incidents might well already have been released. Besides 90% of the comments on here are editorializing. Your comments about me are nothing but. Do you have a link to support my destroying my internet reputation/
posted by scottypup at 02:28 PM on May 10, 2006
I don't think the 50 games was enough. I would have been much happier if he had gotten a one-year suspension.
posted by nort_12345 at 02:35 PM on May 10, 2006
I never said he was self destructive. I said hopefully it will wake him up before he destroy's his career. I can't argue with that. +1. Besides 90% of the comments on here are editorializing. Sure. The idea that's been kicked around is that posts should be free from that kind of stuff (which doesn't mean it's right or wrong, just that it's out there). There's a ton of discussion of it in the Locker Room if you're interested. Here's an admin's take on it.
posted by yerfatma at 03:15 PM on May 10, 2006
If I ever post here again I'll make sure I get your approval first. If only more people would self-censor so nobly. So he's an emotional prick ... so what? So am I -- is that an excuse if I smash someone over the head with my five-iron if he coughs during my backswing? Only if you mention "children" or "terrorists." If you can fit 'em both into the excuse, we'll give you a friggin' medal.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 04:29 PM on May 10, 2006
This kid should at least get a two year ban fuck him he's an asshole but even asshole's these days get a second shot ban him from baseball minor league at that for two years talent he's got no talent when he does something like that I just wish someone would step over the line like that in mlb man I'd hate to see what they'd do then again it would probably be just for 50 games at least he might grow up in two years the guy has problems
posted by luther70 at 04:32 PM on May 10, 2006
Did the Young brothers steal your punctuation?
posted by yerfatma at 06:42 PM on May 10, 2006
Really luther, is it that hard to hit the [.] key? Geeze man, even I don't mind misspelling and capitalization. But your lack of putting an end to a sentence is even getting on my nerves.
posted by njsk8r20 at 08:22 PM on May 10, 2006
But your lack of putting an end to a sentence is even getting on my nerves. Yeah...I'm sitting here all tense, waiting to see where you're going to go next. "...at least he might grow up in two years the guy has problems..." ... WHAT??!?!?
posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:49 PM on May 10, 2006
young should probably be sent to the pit of despair...he threw a bat, for gods sake...hit an umpire square...course the ump wasnt injured at all...im sure his ego was damaged...sure, he stayed in the game, but...but young could have put an eye out...or raised a nasty welt... yourmother,fat you got pretty confident in knocking down punctuation after getting repeatedly shot down...you got something better than commas to comment on (correctly)...
posted by bar_mangled_banter at 11:51 PM on May 10, 2006
If Young only had religion... ::Reaches for great big spoon and walks towards pot::
posted by SummersEve at 06:15 AM on May 11, 2006
If Young only had religion... I like you already.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 10:33 AM on May 11, 2006
Woulda been kind cool though if the ump had picked the bat up and chucked it back at him. LOL Of course I bet the ump would have gotten more than a 50 game suspension.
posted by scottypup at 02:00 PM on May 11, 2006
i can understand young's frustration, in dealing with amatuer(scab) umps, trying to deal with shoddy calls,but nonetheless,throwing your bat at the guy is no excuse,besides, losing your minor league salary for 50 games,that's gotta hurt,and for young not to appeal the suspension,shows he's taking it like a man,but young has himself marked, for other umps wanting to make a name for themselves,at his expense..i hope the strike ends soon
posted by ktown at 02:07 PM on May 11, 2006
You know, I'd like to point out that something is not entirely clear here, from the information and accounts that I've been able to find. Young threw the bat. The bat hit the umpire. The video shows the umpire and shows the bat hitting him, but Young is not in the frame. Written accounts describe Young as having tossed the bat behind him. I haven't seen anything yet that clearly states that he was throwing the bat at the umpire with the intent of hitting him. Clearly it wasn't entirely accidental -- when you throw a bat and don't look where it's going, you are taking a deliberate action, and if you hit someone, it's on you. But I have to think that if Young had meant to damage the guy, the guy would be in the hospital. So please, ktown and others, don't make it out like it was some foaming-at-the-mouth attack. As for the fact "throwing your bat at the guy is[sic] no excuse", he didn't make any excuses. Go read the article. He said that what he did was wrong and that he would serve his suspension without complaint. As for this making him a marked man with umpires...please don't be silly. There would be two reasons why an umpire would have it in for Young over this incident: if they thought he was likely to do it again, which seems very unlikely, and if they wanted to get revenge, which seems even more unlikely. I'm sure there are plenty of chair-sitters who would love to believe that this kid has indeed ruined his career. I think you'll have to look elsewhere for your jolt of schadenfreude, however.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 03:37 PM on May 11, 2006
well i never seen the vid i'm just going by what the media reports..like i said there's no excuse for throwing a bat at anybody much less a ball game..the fact he didn't dispute the suspension,shows he's contrite,he's taking it like a man..who's owning up to his responsibilties..as for umps a marked man? oh absolutely..the ump's look at him as a shit disturber.the ump's gotta teach him 'who's the man...' i've seen it over an over from amatuer sports to professional..you don't show up an ump/ref no matter how bad he is..because they will fuck you and your team..
posted by ktown at 06:57 PM on May 12, 2006
well i never seen the vid i'm just going by what the media reports I have. You could, too, if you followed the links posted on this thread. as for umps a marked man? oh absolutely..the ump's look at him as a shit disturber.the ump's gotta teach him 'who's the man...' i've seen it over an over from amatuer sports to professional..you don't show up an ump/ref no matter how bad he is..because they will fuck you and your team.. Is it still not obvious why this is a silly conclusion to make? The umpire that was hit by the bat is a replacement umpire filling in during a minor league umpire's strike. He isn't a regular. When the strike is over, he'll be gone forever. Why would any union umpire in the minors, much less the majors, be in any way inspired to get some kind of payback on this guy's behalf?
posted by lil_brown_bat at 10:04 PM on May 12, 2006
i'm speaking in general terms i'm sure the umps on strike must have had a good laugh at the scab,but if it were the regular umps,yeah young would be marked...have you ever noticed that certain ball managers and players seem to get more ejections then others?or the strike zone seems large for some and small for others?whether your a hitter or a pitcher?to say all umps treat all players the same is bullshit..because behind the scenes, politics (for a lack of a better word)is happening...and it pretty much exists in all organized sports...
posted by ktown at 08:07 AM on May 13, 2006
i'm speaking in general terms i'm sure the umps on strike must have had a good laugh at the scab,but if it were the regular umps,yeah young would be marked...have you ever noticed that certain ball managers and players seem to get more ejections then others? That may be true, but that's within a league. I'm still waiting for you to show me evidence that this kind of "reputation" follows a player or manager through the secret umpire underground clique conspiracy thing from the minors to the majors -- especially from the replacement minors to the majors. In other words, I'm pretty sure you're manufacturing some crippling lifelong reputation problem for Young out of pure imagination.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 08:53 AM on May 13, 2006
i'm not saying it follows you, from cradle to grave anthology..the minors and the majors are 2 different leagues..so when young arrives,he gets a fresh start...and no i'm not using my 'perceived' imagination..i've been active in organized sports,from softball,fastball,ice hockey,roller hockey,badminton,tennis,touch football,football and soccer for 30 years..that experience, of dealing with referees&umpires,the good,the bad&the ugly ones,tend to speak for themselves...
posted by ktown at 02:28 PM on May 13, 2006
Agreed, scottypup. I do think that his decision to not appeal is a giant leap forward. At least he is owning up to his mistake and is willing to pay the price like a man. I just gained a lot of respect for him.