Well, we may have been reluctant at first due to his, um, colorful past (as were many others). We also doubted his All Star chances. Now, though, we’re now firmly aboard the Dmitri Young Chuckwagon. In the same week he was named to the NL team for next week’s All Star Game in San Francisco, Young went 3-4 yesterday. His day was highlighted by a grand slam, cementing the Nats 6-0 win in front of almost 40,000 boisterous patriots at RFK. Dmitri has hit .413 and slugged .594 over the past eight weeks, which is great, but we really love him because of photos like this one.
[Amusing side note: After watching him chug to second after lacing one down the left field line for his 7th inning double yesterday, D’meathook was a mere triple from hitting for the cycle, inspiring a hilarious conversation to concoct a scenario where Young gets a triple: “bloops a ball into short right, where the RF dives, breaks his collerbone, and lays prostrate on top of the ball…” It’s fun! Create your own Dmitri triples at home!]
Young’s resurgence in the first half and supportive clubhouse presence has almost certainly marked him as the club’s most tantalizing trade commodity, so we have to give some credit where it’s due. By taking a chance on Young before the season, GM Jim Bowden has created an opportunity to land a decent prospect and kept the team’s offense within driving distance of respectability.
In the longer term, Nats fans have even more reason to be thrilled with the steady improvement of their young lefty, Matt Chico. As detailed in today’s WaPo game recap, Chico has kept his composure through the offense’s June swoon where he received little run support. After getting knocked around by the Tigers (doesn’t everybody?), Chico surrendered just one run in 19 innings in his next three starts, including 7 shutout innings yesterday. The 24-year-old is doing all Manny Acta could hope for in throwing strikes and eating innings. Perhaps most importantly on D.C.’s M.A.S.H. rotation, he’s the only National pitcher that made all of his scheduled starts in the first half.
The Nats now look to build a little momentum in the last few games before the All Star Break. Jason Bergmann will try to return to his early season form this evening in the series finale with the Cubs.
Photo by Flickr user The Ardvaark.
