Eric Young (baseball)

Infobox MLB retired
name=Eric Young


position=Second Baseman / Outfielder
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1967|5|18
New Brunswick, New Jersey
debutdate=July 30
debutyear=by|1992
debutteam=Los Angeles Dodgers
finaldate=September 19
finalyear=by|2006
finalteam=Texas Rangers
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.283
stat2label=Hits
stat2value=1,731
stat3label=Stolen bases
stat3value=465
teams=
* Los Angeles Dodgers (by|1992, by|1997-by|1999)
* Colorado Rockies (by|1993-by|1997)
* Chicago Cubs (by|2000-by|2001)
* Milwaukee Brewers (by|2002-by|2003)
* San Francisco Giants (by|2003)
* Texas Rangers (by|2004, by|2006)
* San Diego Padres (by|2005-by|2006)
highlights=
* All-Star selection (1996)
* Silver Slugger Award winner (1996)

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

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 a 11-4 home win over the Montreal Expos. [http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070721&content_id=2101421&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col] 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.

2000-present

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.

Young's son, Eric Young, Jr., is following in his father's footsteps. Eric Jr. graduated from Piscataway Township High School in 2003 and is now a member of the Colorado Rockies minor league system.

Young is now an analyst for ESPN's nightly show "Baseball Tonight" and has been named the "President of the Souvenir City Chamber of Commerce."

Young will officially retire as a member of the Colorado Rockies on September 12, 2008. [http://cbs4denver.com/sports/Rockies.young.retire.2.809861.html] He is expected to be honored during a pregame ceremony that same day at Coors Field before the Rockies take on the Los Angeles Dodgers.

ee also

* List of Major League Baseball stolen base champions
* List of Major League Baseball triples champions
* List of Major League Baseball players with 400 stolen bases

References

External links

*baseball-reference|id=y/younger01