Delmon Young
Posted by Chris J. on November 29, 2007
He just got traded to Minnesota. What does the future hold? Well, he's one of only 102 players since 1901 to play 190 games before his age 22 season.
Hall of Famers on that list: Robin Yount, Johnny Bench, Orlando Cepeda, Bill Mazeroski, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle, Eddie Mathews, Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr, Mel Ott, Arky Vaughn, Jimmie Foxx, Freddie Lindstrom, Travis Jackson, Rogers Hornsby, Ray Schalk, Ty Cobb. That's 20. One-fifth. Oh, wait. I missed Harry Heilman. 21.
Notable layers not currently eligible for Cooperstown on the list: Miguel Cabrera, Carl Crawford, Adrian Beltre, Andruw Jones, Alex Rodriquez, Ivan Rodriquez, Juan Gonzalez, Ken Griffey, Gary Sheffield, Sammy Sosa, Roberto Alomar, and Rickey Henderson. That's 12 more. At least 5 (I & A-Rods, Griffey, Rickey, and one from the remainder) should get in.
Noteworthy players not currently in Cooperstown on the list: Alan Trammell, Buddy Bell, Ted Simmons, Garry Templeton, Rusty Staub, Boog Powell, Joe Torre, Ron Santo, Vada Pinson, Curt Flood, Eddie Yost, Phil Cavaretta, Cecil Travis, Dick Bartell, Charlie Grimm, Stuffy McInnis, Sherry Magee. That's 16 more.
That's half the list. Not too shabby a company.
Well, that's not totally fair. With 192 games, he's at the bottom of the games played list. Let's look at within 20 either way: 172-212.
Only 43 players here, including Young himself. Among the others:
Hall of Famers: Cal Ripken, Joe Morgan, Joe Medwick, Harry Heilman, and Tris Speaker.
Not-eligible for Hall notables: Juan Gonzalez, Sammy Sosa, and Joe Jackson.
Other notables: Jose Canseco, Bob Horner, Garry Templeton, Greg Luzinski, Joe Torre, Zoilo Versailles, Larry Doyle, Clyde Milan, and Donie Bush.
Not as impressive a bunch of names, but really I don't think young'uns get as early a start nowadays.
November 29th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Not everybody can be David Clyde.