Eric Young (baseball)

This article is about the former MLB player. For his son, who currently plays in the New York Mets organization, see Eric Young Jr.
Eric Young

Young as a first base coach for the Colorado Rockies in 2015
Second baseman / Left fielder
Born: (1967-05-18) May 18, 1967
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
July 30, 1992, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Last MLB appearance
September 19, 2006, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics
Batting average .283
Home runs 79
Runs batted in 543
Stolen bases 465
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Eric Orlando Young Sr. (born May 18, 1967) is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and left fielder. He played college baseball and college football for Rutgers University. He resides in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Baseball career

1990s

Young began his MLB career with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1992, but soon became one of the original Colorado Rockies in 1993. He hit a home run in the Rockies' first-ever home at bat on April 9, 1993, as part of an 11-4 home win over the Montreal Expos.[1] He helped Colorado to its first postseason series appearance in 1995, which they lost to the Atlanta Braves, three games to one. His best seasons came with the Rockies, where he was an All-Star and a Silver Slugger Award winner in 1996 at second base. In 1996, he hit .324, with 8 home runs, 74 RBI and 53 stolen bases.

During the 1990s, Young was one of the top base stealers in the major leagues. He is the Rockies career leader in stolen bases and is in the top 10 in many other offensive categories. On June 30, 1996, he managed to steal second base, third base, and home plate in one inning in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 1997, fan favorite Young was traded back to Los Angeles for pitcher Pedro Astacio. While in Los Angeles during 1998–1999, Young continued his consistency by stealing bases and hitting for solid averages.

2000s

Young was traded by the Dodgers to the Chicago Cubs in 1999. In 2000, while a member of the Cubs, he hit .297, with 6 home runs, 98 runs and 54 steals. In 2001, he enjoyed a similar season. In January 2002, Young signed as a free agent with the Milwaukee Brewers. In 2003, he hit 15 home runs, a career-high that almost doubled his previous best of 8 home runs. Young went on to play with the Texas Rangers and the San Diego Padres, where he was mainly used as a pinch runner. On August 1, 2006, Young was released by the Padres. He was subsequently reacquired by the Rangers and joined the team later that month. In late October, he declared free agency, but did not end up playing in the Majors again.

Post-playing career

Young's son, Eric Young Jr., is following in his father's footsteps. Eric Jr. graduated from Piscataway Township High School in 2003 and on August 25, 2009 made his major league debut with Colorado Rockies when Dexter Fowler was put on the disabled list.

Young officially retired as a member of the Colorado Rockies on September 12, 2008.[2] He was honored during a pregame ceremony that same day at Coors Field before the Rockies took on the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Young is also an analyst on the sports program Baseball Tonight. He is often mentioned in the term "Souvenir City Chamber of Commerce, Eric Young President" which is the term used by host Steve Berthiaume when showing a home run. He also calls out "Souvenir City!" when showing footage of a home run.[3]

Young served as a running instructor for the Houston Astros and helped with their outfield and base running.[4]

Young was named the Arizona Diamondbacks first base coach on October 17, 2010.[5] On October 17, 2012, Young was fired from the position.[6][7] He joined the Rockies as the first base coach for the 2014 season.[8] He was fired after the 2016 season.

See also

References

External links

Preceded by
Matt Williams		 Arizona Diamondbacks First Base Coach
2011–2012 		Succeeded by
Steve Sax
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