The Comeback of Dmitri "Da Meat Hook" Young, Washington Nationals' First Basemen

Dmitri Young's (aka: Da Meat Hook) All-Star Game Selection Caps Off a Remarkable Return from the Abyss for the Veteran

A year ago at this time, Dmitri Young was in the midst of just trying to get back to playing the game he loves. A divorce, alcohol abuse and depression were amongst the things that the former Rio Mesa High School (Oxnard, CA) star dealt with the first five months of the 2006 calendar year. Also known as "Da Meat Hook," Young played very well after his mid-July return to the Detroit Tigers, hitting .292 while clubbing seven homers and driving in 19 runs in only 113 at bats. Nonetheless, he would be released by the Tigers less than a month before season's end. It just added more insult to injury for him when the Tigers would wind up making it all the way to the World Series, where they would lose to the eventual World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. Following the season, Young would end up in a hospital where he would be diagnosed with diabetes.