Two Youngs

MLB Network ran a documentary about Dmitri and Delmon Young titled "We Are Young."  Two full hours of footage, interviews and insight into the brothers' ascent into professional baseball.  I was struck by their father's dedication to becoming their baseball coach--because this was a man who knew NOTHING about baseball when Dmitri first took an interest in it.  He immersed himself in baseball, and ultimately became an astute coach and motivator.

It was an interesting look at their years in youth baseball on up through the ranks, along with extensive interviews with mom, dad, and the boys themselves.  Two hours offers ample time to dig in to the story and develop it fully.

Of course, the show had to look at some of the troubles Dmitri and Delmon faced--Delmon's 50 game minor league suspension for throwing a bat, which hit an umpire.  Dmitri's battles with substance abuse, and domestic violence.  

I admit that when Dmitri was released in 2006, it was a shocker.  The situation was very strange.  Jim Leyland, who generally tells it like it is, stayed stubbornly with the lie that the release was performance-based.  I was left with a very bad taste in my mouth over the whole thing.  Yes, Dmitri had major issues, had some very self-created problems, and if they wanted to release him over personal problems, that's fine.  Just come out and say that.  Don't cling to the outlandish claim that it was strictly based on performance on the field.   

Dmitri was the one bright spot in several of those horrible, loss-infested seasons.  I'll always appreciate his contributions to the team.  I was happy to see him come back as the NL "Come Back Player of the Year" in 2007 with the Nats.

Seems his demons are not completely exorcised, however.  Dmitri came to camp very overweight in 2008, and the Nats were not pleased--understandably so.  Being that he's got diabetes, he really needs to keep his weight down.   Appearing in only 50 games, garnering 150 ABs, Dmitri  hit .280 with a .394 OBP and .400 SLG.  He's currently a non-roster invitee for the Nats.

I'm sure MLB Network will run and rerun the documentary ad nauseum, ad infinitum, so check it out.

Caution: Rant Ahead

I'm sorry, but why was the Tigers/Venezuela exhibition not broadcast in some way, shape or form?  Let's see, Armando Gallaraga was pitching for Venezuela, and Carlos Guillen, Miguel Cabrera, and Magglio Ordóñez were in the lineup facing the rest of our Tigers squad.  Is that not compelling fare for Tigers fans?   I must know then, why the Tigers failed to broadcast this game at least on radio.  I know MLB network had to go with the "premier" Team USA/Yankees matchup, but why not air the Tigers/Venezuela game later on instead of endless repeats of other programming?  After reading the Freep's and Detroit News' coverage of the affair, it would've been a lot of fun to watch, not only for the matchup, but also because of the fiesta created by some Team Venezuela fans.  I feel like we missed out in a big way on that game.  Boo.

Post-script

Just finished watching MLB Network's "Baseball Seasons" 1968--the Year of the Pitcher.  Was it ever.  Bob Gibson had a regular season ERA of 1.12.  Seven pitchers had ERAs under 2.00, and we all know that Denny McClain won 31 games for the Tigers that year.  Bob Gibson and Denny McClain both won the Cy Young and the league MVP that year, the only time pitchers have swept the awards in both leagues.

It was an insane confluence of pitching.  Bob Gibson pitched 18 scoreless innings in the World Series.  There was a perfect game and four no-hitters.  Many hitters saw their batting averages plummet by 30 points or more off their career averages.  The New York Yankees batted .214 as team, lowest in club history.

Anyway, it was well worth the watch.

Quick Hits

In January of each year, teams select one prospect to attend the MLB Rookie Career Development Program in Washington DC.  The program is four days long, and is designed to give youngsters an idea of what life in the bigs will be like.  I'm sure they emphasize keeping your nose clean and whatnot.  This year, the Tigers sent Rick Porcello--shocker, I know.   In his interview about the program, Porcello notably stated that one of the things he knew he had to work on to continue his progress toward the majors was command of his breaking ball, which would help improve his ability to get strikeouts.  You can see his video segment here.  

I've made a couple short forays into the MLB Network so far.  I watched Game 2 of the 2006 World Series.  I have no shame in admitting that I wimped out of watching the losses.  I also watched a half hour piece on Hank Aaron, which was good.  Now, I'm going to watch one of the episodes of Baseball Seasons--it's the 1968 season.  Looking forward to that, since I was not born to see it live.  Of course, I've seen clips of the '68 season and Series, but I hope this goes in depth, since it's an hour-long show.

Finally, young Michael Holliman is defying the timetable set for his recovery from surgical repair of a torn labrum.  He may be ready in time for Spring Training, instead of missing half this year. Read the rest here.

Keep counting down--pitchers and catcher report in less than 10 days!