First baseman Dmitri Young, who last played in the big leagues with the Nationals in 2008, wants to return to the Majors in 2012 and plans to play in the Venezuelan Winter League beginning in October, according to Bill Ladson of MLB.com (Twitter links).
Young, 38 next month, officially retired in March 2010. The No. 4 overall pick in 1991 by the Cardinals, Young was limited to 50 games in his final season in the bigs due to a variety of injuries. His last productive season was in 2007, when he hit .320/.378/.491 for Washington. For his career, Young has posted a .292/.351/.475 line in 5,252 plate appearances.
The 13-year veteran broke in with the Redbirds in 1996 and later played for the Reds and Tigers, as well as the Nats. Young tells Ladson he currently weighs 245 pounds and is in the best shape of his life (Twitter link). His brother, Delmon Young, is an outfielder with the Tigers.
Mike Agogliati
…really? Isn’t he like 400 years old and 400 pounds too heavy?
Isaac
400lbs over? Dang he’s lost some weigh last time I remember he was 500
fitz
*sigh*
Slopeboy
Could be the replacement for Drew in Rightfield
capncasey
Good luck Meat Hook. Happy to have your bro on board. Go Tigers…
JacksTigers
I’d invite him to spring training.
EdinsonPickle
Just don’t invite him to the post-game buffet.
JacksTigers
[Insert fat joke here]
bigpat
Pretty much his whole career is a fat joke.
gunsnascar
This guy will be the cubs rebuild years 1st baseman
NYPOTENCE
The Big bad Dmitri ready to pop 40 more bombs. Let’s Go. (What a beast)
hallwagner
sugar bombs?
hallwagner
sugar bombs?
Guest 6632
It’s pretty sad when you can say you’re in the best shape of your life and still be obese.
das411
well MLB might not be a *better* please if steak_grows_on comes back, but it certainly will be a more entertaining one…
Stl_Great
Please Dmitri, be the replacement of Pujols.
bobbybaseball
Didn’t he also suffer from alcohol and drug abuse as well? I don’t think it was just injuries.
Lastings
He looked like a black carrot top.
FrankTheFunkasaurusRex
At least whichever team signs him will get free steak!
AZJack6
I like Dimitri do I dare say he has a resurgence at age 38 (soon to be 39) must be all that weightlifting #getswoll
MattCMoore
I dont understand why you guys are all making fun of him. He isnt even that fat and he can hit so who gives a ****.
John 87
They all think they’re funny. Not one of them is original.
Andy Patton
until you can have a higher batting average then your weight in the major leagues then you all should back off meat hook. Tigers don’t really need him so maybe Seattle will give him a shot, let him groom young Justin Smoak. Although I can’t imagine he’ll want to come back to a rebuilding team
The Secret Inspector
I’m pretty sure i could easily hit .130.
gunsnascar
yeah im so sure guy with all of your pro baseball experience.
burritolikethesun
fastcache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/11/2011/0…
hallwagner
i loved dmitri when he was with the nats, i hope he has a nice comeback with some team in need of veteran leadership and a good hitter (almost every team :P)
hallwagner
hope he can make a nice comeback, he was one of my favorite nats players when he was healthy
camerondatzker
I like Dimitri Young and he would be an awesome comeback kid for an American League team, I can see Oakland A’s, Seattle Mariners, maybe The San Diego Padres giving a second chance. I think he can still hit.