Interesting read on Dmitri
We all know how Dmitri Young’s time in Detroit ended, and I’d like to think people appreciated how Dmitri turned his life and his game around last year and ended up an all-star. Now, as Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, Dmitri sees an opportunity to pass that on with the Nationals’ much-maligned trade for Elijah Dukes.
"I love being in this role," said Young, a 12-year veteran and .290 career hitter. "This is what makes my life meaningful. If I can get to Elijah and make him realize that he can get his life straight, be a role model for every young, underprivileged black kid in the city who has no hope, then I’ve given back.
"So far he’s been very receptive. Once spring training comes along, I’ll have eight months with him. I’ll be around him all the time. He’ll see my face every day. I’ll go to dinner with him, we’ll spend time at the ballpark together. Maybe he’ll get sick of me, but I’m going to be there."
Say what you will about Dmitri, and plenty of people around Detroit have had their say already, but he has an appreciation for what this game means to people and the responsibility one generation has to mold the next. Does that make him a team leader? No, but it makes him a mentor, and Jim Bowden is hoping he can fill that role for Dukes, whose list of transgressions goes well beyond what Dmitri did his final year in Detroit. Bowden has already had Dukes working out with Barry Larking in Orlando.
Here’s a quote from Bowden from a Q&A story he did with Bill Ladson on MLB.com:
"[Dukes] has never had direction or discipline. He never had someone take him aside and really care about developing him as a human being and helping him learn about things off the field.
"This player on the field is dedicated to winning. He never talks about himself on the field. He talks about moving runners. He talks about what he can do to help the team win. He is a winner on the field. His problems have been off the field. I think, in this world, when we are blessed to be in a game like baseball, part of our responsibility is to try and help young people improve their lives — not just as players but as people.
"This is a tremendous challenge. I would call it my biggest challenge of my career, but one we are going to put a lot of time and effort into. If we can help him off the field and on the field, he will play in an All-Star Game."
Jason Beck
I don’t know where most of our regular posters have gone, but I do have some thoughts on this so I’ll share them.
I think the kind of situation that Jason writes about here is where Dimtri Young is at his best. My favorite memory of DY in Detroit is the time (I forget the year) when he led the entire Tiger team onto the field to meet with the Negro League players. Sure, Dimitri may do better as the big fish in a small pond, but I got to see him play this past year in Washington and I’ll say this for him: there are very few players out there who enjoy playing the game of baseball more than this guy. When he’s on the field, he just exudes fun. As a fan, I appreciate that in a player more than just about anything else.
I’ll say young Mr. Dukes will do well having guys like Barry Larkin (go blue!) and Dimitri Young in his corner.
–Rich
I am glad DY has turned things around. He went to a little bit of a dark place here in Detroit the last year he was here. I was happy for him and hopefully he can help Dukes turn that corner as well.
My guess is if Sheffield falters or is re-injured then Inge will get a fair amount of time back at 3B with Cabrera being DH’d.
While Brandon is an expensive utility player we should not worry so much about the expense (that’s Illitch’s problem), as much as the demoralizing factor upon Inge himself.
I personally am looking forward to seeing Cabrera at third and I think he will handle the bag adequately if not spectacularly. He is a decent athlete.
I hope they are able to accomodate Brandon and a bonus would be a late inning relief specialist in return. We can’t expect too much because Inge’s value has been severely diminished by his numbers (statiscally and financially) from last year. There will not be a lot of takers for a corner infielder who hits near .230 with a ton of Ks.
If he isn’t dealt I think Raburn is out of a job. I suppose they could demote Santiago but I think they will keep him around.
If they carry 4 guys on the bench it looks like they would be Inge, Thames, Wilson and Santiago.
If I had to choose, I would take Raburn over Santiago, as I don’t see him getting much actual playing time behind Renteria and Polanco.
That’s a great name, “Dmitri”. Great smile and personality. You have to feel good about his turnaround, and continue to wish him success. BA .290 for 12 years is “most excellent”. Be nice if he can help Elijah Dukes. There are challenges to overcoming poverty that most of us can never fully appreciate.
Dan, I’m in agreement with you on the bench. I like both Raburn and Santiago. If Inge remains on the team, Santiago may get sent down, deferring to Raburn’s bat. You could make a case for either however. I’m thinking that if another team makes a bid for Inge, it will probably be well into spring training when needs become more apparent. I would like to see Inge remain a Tiger and get 275-300 AB’s.