Happy Birthday, Dmitri Young!

The Nats' first baseman was born this day in 1973 in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Young has (so far) had an interesting career in the Bigs. Starting with St. Louis and then moving on to Cincinnati and then Detroit, he always had very solid numbers. However, he hit a bad patch in his personal life in 2006 - a divorce, drug and alchohol problems, charges of assault, emergent diabetes - which caused the Tigers to suddenly chuck him off the team just before they went to the playoffs (and eventually won the Series). From there he came to Dee Cee where, touching wood, he has emerged as an anchor for our young team. In tribute, a week or two ago he was awarded the National League's 2007 Comeback Player of the Year, whatever that is.

He's also emerged as the eldest Llama-ette's first baseball crush - she calls him a big ol' teddy-bear. She knows, well, as much as is suitable for a nine year old about Young's past problems, but also knows that he seems to have got them behind him. (When I'm doing the Boring Old Dad Life Lesson Homily, I sometimes try to use this as a little example of the possibility of getting hold of one's life even after it spins out of control.) She also knows his value at the plate, and in the Fourth of July game we went to see this year, was already loudly questioning the Cubs' decision to walk Ryan Zimmerman and load the bases for Young before he smacked the ball over the left field wall.

The Nats recently signed Young to a two year extension on his contract, rather than trading him. I think this was a wise move, given what he's become for the team, and sincerely hope they continue to grow together.