Columns

Grit your teeth and give Young his due

The real issue is Young's talent. It is undeniable, and it is impressive.

By JOHN ROMANO
Published August 6, 2007

Tampa Bay Devil Rays' Delmon Young connects for an RBI double.
	[AP photo]

ST. PETERSBURG - He is not a particularly patient man, which makes him something of a revelation on a team that is forever talking of tomorrow.

He wants to hit - this next pitch. He wants to be a star - this very moment. He wants to end the conversation - so shove off.

Delmon Young seemingly has no time to waste on his way to the top and, for that, you should probably be grateful.

In another season sorely lacking in relevance, Young has come rushing through. His numbers are not as sweet as B.J. Upton's, and his power is not as evident as Carlos Pena's, but Young's production sniffs of a budding superstar.

At his current pace, Young will finish the season hitting .292 with 84 RBIs. Respectable, but not astonishing numbers. Not until you consider he is 21.

Since 1950, only 13 players have put up those numbers at such a young age. In recent days, you're talking about Ken Griffey Jr., Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez. From another era, it was Hank Aaron, Al Kaline and Mickey Mantle.

In other words, in his first full season, Young is successfully traversing the distance between prospect and prodigy.

"To do what he is doing at this age is pretty darn good," Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "He's got some growing to do, he's got some things he still has to accomplish and we've been talking to him about that, but I believe he'll do it. And when he does, you're really going to be surprised what he looks like."

The signs already are there. He is still remarkably impatient at the plate - no hitter in the American League swings at the first pitch more often or takes fewer pitches than Young - but he is showing signs of better discipline.

He has been strong with runners in scoring position and has not chased as many offspeed pitches in the dirt. His growth has been evident in his numbers. Young hit .245 in his first 55 games, and .336 in the next 55.

He leads all AL rookies in hits 127, extra-base hits (36) and RBIs (57), is second in home runs (nine) and is far ahead of the pack in outfield assists (11). Yet Young rarely, if ever, is mentioned as a rookie of the year candidate.

Maybe that's because the Rays are so far off America's radar screen. Or because Young got off to such a slow start. Or because the field is crowded with contenders from first-place teams.

All are possible causes, but not legitimate excuses.

Boston reliever Hideki Okajima (2-0, 1.01 ERA) has been brilliant but has pitched less than 55 innings with just four saves. Boston starter Daisuke Matsuzaka (13-8, 3.70 ERA) is a worthy candidate and so is second baseman Dustin Pedroia (.319, .394 OBP), as well as Angels outfielder Reggie Willits (.302, 52 runs).

But Young's numbers are just as impressive as any rookie, and I'm guessing he'll only get better in the season's final eight weeks.

The plan was to talk to Young about his candidacy Sunday morning, but he is a man of few words. Or, in this case, one word.

"No," he said, wagging a finger and walking away.

In Delmon's defense, he doesn't like me. If I may speak for him, and I suppose I have to, I'd say he hates me. Which doesn't make him unique, or even misguided.

The problem is his reputation as an individual is still catching up to his prowess as a player. In simpler terms, Young can be a petulant brat.

From the time he was the No. 1 pick in the 2003 draft, he has displayed a remarkable sense of entitlement. He signed a contract in the vicinity of $6-million, then in the next few years, blasted the Rays for being mismanaged, cheap and not calling up prospects.

And that doesn't include the infamous bat-throwing incident that cost him a 50-game suspension in Triple A last season.

Does any of this make him less of a player? No. As long as Young can keep his anger in check on the field and doesn't become too overbearing in the clubhouse, he can blow off reporters or fans as often as he wishes and still hear cheers every time he picks up a bat.

He may be a pain, but he is Tampa Bay's pain and that cannot be overlooked. From Quinton McCracken to Toby Hall, the Rays clubhouse has been filled with smiling, happy characters for the better part of a decade. And they've maintained that good cheer through every 100-loss season. So if it takes a little attitude to change the losing atmosphere, I say bluster away.

The real issue is Young's talent. It is undeniable, and it is impressive.

And if it continues to progress the way we have seen the past two months, the rest of the world will no longer be able to ignore it.

John Romano can be reached at romano@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8811.

[Last modified August 5, 2007, 23:51:36]