1997 Topps All-Star Rookie First Baseman Dmitri Young

"When I was growing up, I used to draw myself on the Donruss Rated-Rookie and the Topps' Future Star cards with the trophies and the cup." Dmitri, you made it! As the Rookie All-Star Squad gets started for another season, we see the trend continue with a prospect with promising stats making the squad. Dmitri Young forced his way up to the big leagues with a gaudy batting average and power potential. While his first season was a bit below his later career totals (just 5 homers in 110 games, and a .258 average), he still gave Cardinals fans a taste of what was to come.

Even before his official rookie season in 1997, Young was given the opportunity to shine. He was placed on the 1996 post season roster for the NLCS, and he hit a respectable .286 in 4 games. His rookie season in 1997, Young was called up when Brian Jordan was lost for the season due to injury. Young came in to play first base, which had been vacated by John Mabry, who was filling in for Jordan in the outfield. When the Cards dealt for Mark McGwire at the deadline, Young moved back to the outfield to make room. While shifting all over the field, Young still had an impact, getting 86 hits and driving in 34 runs.

This is one of Dmitri's least favorite cards, with a photo taken before he got braces.

Young was a first round pick (4th Overall) by the Cardinals in 1991. Young was a USA-Today All-American in high school, hitting .425 for his final amateur season. He had anonther great season in Single A Springfield, hitting 14 homers and stealing 14 bases at the tender age of 18. He was named to the Midwest League All-Star squad, and was called a "Terry Pendleton - type" player by scouts. I mean he played 3rd Base in the Cardinals org, so I guess that is an easy comparison to make...

The 1997 season would be his last in Saint Louis, as the team was getting Brian Jordan back and had a bit of a logjam in the corner outfield and a Big Mac ready to have a real Whopper of a season in 1998. Young was traded to Cincinnati in exchange for Jeff Brantley. Before the season began, it looked like he would be on the move again - The Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected Dmitri from the Reds in the expansion draft, but Cincy was willing to double down and trade for him again. This time, the Reds gave up Mike Kelly, who was a similar rising prospect who had a promising 1997.

The Reds would get the best of that deal with the Devil (Rays). Dmitri Young revealed himself to be a great contact hitter during his days with Cincy, including four straight seasons above .300. He would also hit double digit homers each year, finishing with a then career high 21 in 2001. That number set a Reds' franchise record for home runs by a switch hitter. His slash line with the Reds was .304/.353/.488 from 1998 through 2001. The team flourished initially with Young in the lineup - finishing a close 2nd place in the division in 1998 and 1999. When the team began to struggle again, Young became one of the more valuable trade chips, and would be moved to acquire a pair of younger players as the Reds began another rebuilding process.

Young's first year in Detroit was derailed by injury, playing in just 54 games. Even so, the shortened season featured an 18 game hitting streak. The following season, 2003, would be one of his best. He posted career highs in Hits, Triples, and Homers while hitting an OPS+ of 144. He was named to his first All-Star team. In May of that year, he became the first MLB'er since Willie Mays to have 2 HR and 2 Triples in the same game. He went 5-5 (on Cinco de Mayo, no less!) and had 15 total bases, the most in a game by a Tiger since Ty Cobb in 1925. For the season, his 302 Total bases was another career high. Dmitri's great season came during one of the Tigers' worst - the team lost 119 games. The team would improve the next two seasons, and were in the thick of a playoff run in 2006 when Dmitri was released. The team had signed Rondell White in the off season to take Young's spot in Right field, despite a pair of productive seasons. Now relegated to DH duties, Young would play in just 48 games for Detroit before his release.

Young was not ready to go quietly, and he signed a deal to join the Washington Nationals. He responded with another great season, and was named Comeback Player of the Year, making his 2nd All-Star Game. He hit a career high .320 for the Nats, hitting 13 homers and driving in 74. Young was a fan favorite in Washington, just as he was in Detroit (where he was first given the moniker "D'Meat Hook"), just as he was in Cincinnati.

Young was also notable as one of the more prolific card collectors during his playing days. He sold a large portion of his collection in 2012, which focused on Rookie Cards. Some of the cards in his collection included PSA 10 rookies of Stan Musial, Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Pete Rose, Carew, Seaver, Ripken (the '82 Topps Traded version), to name just a few. The proceeds from his sale helped to underwrite a new chapter in his life as the head of the Dmitri D. Young Foundation that is dedicated to helping the youth of Ventura County, California.

Do you have any Dmitri Young stories? I'd love to hear them.  Thanks for reading!