Former Tiger Dmitri Young Jailed

Dmitri Young had a tumultuous career in the major leagues. Yesterday, his coaching career hit a snag as well.

Young, serving as a bench coach for the Oakland County Cruisers of the independent Frontier League, was arrested yesterday by the McLean County (Illinois) Sheriff’s Department on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

Young posted a $100 bond and was released, no court date has yet been scheduled.

This is his first season as a coach with Oakland County, currently in first place in the Eastern Division. The Cruisers are in Illnois to take on the Normal CornBelters over the next few days.

Young has battled personal demons for many years, going back to his days with the Tigers. In 2006, while Detroit was enjoying a shocking season of success, Young was battling an alcohol and drug addiction. He left the team for more than a month while facing charges of domestic violence. Young returned to Detroit late in the summer, but was eventually released prior to the end of the regular season.

He caught on with Washington and was named to his second all-star team in 2007, but has struggled with his health ever since. Young, who suffers from type-2 diabetes, has not played in the majors since 2008.

Young has always been one of my favorite players. He never had the look of a baseball player, he’s terribly overweight, so I felt a connection to him. Young’s forte was his hitting, and in 2003, when the Tigers were all but unwatchable, Young had a remarkable season, leading the team in just about every offensive category.

Here’s hoping that someday Young can find the peace that his life has been lacking.