Mike Young – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Michael Darren Young stepped away from Major League Baseball in 1989, wrapping up an eight-season run that spanned several teams. He showed off his versatility as both an outfielder and a designated hitter. Born in Oakland, California, Young made his biggest impact with the Baltimore Orioles, spending most of his career there from 1982 to 1987.

Young finished his professional baseball journey with the Cleveland Indians in 1989. He totaled 72 home runs and 235 RBIs over 635 games. His path took him from amateur ball in California all the way to the majors, where he faced off against some of the best in the sport.

Mike Young’s career story covers his early growth as a player, his big moments in the majors, and the tough transitions that come with moving between teams late in a pro career. His journey feels familiar to many players who managed to carve out solid careers during a time when baseball was changing both on and off the field.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Michael Darren Young was born on March 20, 1960, in Oakland, California, right as youth baseball was booming. He started his baseball path in the Bay Area, going through local high school and junior college programs that shaped him as a player.

Family Background and Childhood

Mike Young grew up in Oakland during the 1960s and 1970s. He first got hooked on baseball by following the San Francisco Giants and their legendary center fielder, Willie Mays.

The Bay Area gave Young plenty of chances to hone his baseball skills. Oakland’s strong youth baseball culture really helped him grow as a player from early on.

His family always backed his athletic pursuits. Being close to major league teams in the Bay Area probably nudged him to take the sport more seriously.

His childhood lined up with Willie Mays’ best years with the Giants, and seeing that level of baseball up close fueled Young’s own dreams.

High School Baseball Achievements

Young attended Hayward High School in Hayward, California, where he played baseball and built a strong foundation for higher levels of competition.

During high school, Young developed the skills that would catch the eye of pro scouts. His play at Hayward High set him up for future opportunities in college ball.

California high school baseball was tough in the late 1970s, and that competition helped prepare Young for what was coming in college and the pros.

His time in high school really shaped both his athletic abilities and his understanding of the game.

College Experience at Chabot College

After high school, Young kept playing at Chabot College in Hayward, California. The junior college let him keep developing his game while staying close to home.

Chabot’s baseball program acted as a launch pad for Young. Playing at the junior college level helped him mature and gain experience.

He did well enough at Chabot to get drafted. The Baltimore Orioles picked him in the secondary phase of the January 1980 amateur draft.

Scout Caesar Sinibaldi signed Young to his first pro contract with the Orioles, starting his journey toward the majors.

MLB Debut and Breakthrough

Mike Young made it to the big leagues in 1982 after the Baltimore Orioles drafted him. He debuted on September 14, 1982, kicking off an eight-season MLB career.

Path to the Major Leagues

The Orioles signed Young after picking him in the January 1980 draft’s secondary phase. Scout Caesar Sinibaldi played a key role in bringing Young into the organization.

Young, born in Oakland in 1960, learned the game in the Bay Area, first as a fan of the Giants and Willie Mays.

The outfielder spent over two years working his way through the Orioles’ minor league system, sharpening his skills as both an outfielder and a designated hitter.

By 1982, Young had shown enough to earn a major league call-up. At 22, he finally reached the top level of professional baseball.

Baltimore Orioles Signing and First Appearances

Young debuted in the majors on September 14, 1982, with the Orioles. That late-season call-up gave him his first taste of the big leagues.

In those early games, he showed promise as a flexible player. Young played multiple outfield spots and filled in as a designated hitter when needed.

The Orioles leaned on his switch-hitting, which made him useful against both lefties and righties. He threw right-handed but could bat from either side.

Young’s first stint with Baltimore lasted through the end of 1982. The team saw enough to keep him around for future seasons.

He really broke through in the following years, becoming a regular part of the Orioles’ lineup.

Professional Career Highlights

Mike Young’s eight-year MLB career had some explosive offensive stretches and consistent versatility as an outfielder and designated hitter. His biggest season came in 1985 with Baltimore. Stints with three other clubs later on showed his ability to adapt to different teams.

Standout Seasons with The Baltimore Orioles

Young’s breakout happened in 1985, when he became one of the game’s most feared power hitters. He started slow and spent time on the bench through early July, but then he caught fire.

In August 1985, the switch-hitting outfielder hit nine home runs in just 14 games. That run helped him finish with 28 homers, with 20 coming after the All-Star break. From July 12 on, Young belted 22 home runs, ranking third in the American League behind Don Mattingly and Darrell Evans.

His rookie year in 1984 also showed promise. Young played in 123 games for the Orioles, mostly in right field, and finished with 17 home runs—second among AL rookies behind Seattle’s Alvin Davis. He hit his first career grand slam on September 3 against Detroit’s Aurelio López at Tiger Stadium.

Young’s relationship with teammate Eddie Murray played a big role in his growth. Murray mentored Young and helped him adjust to major league pitching and pressure.

Key Moments with the Philadelphia Phillies

Young’s time with the Philadelphia Phillies was brief, coming in the late 1980s. After his huge 1985 season with Baltimore, the Orioles traded him to Philadelphia during roster changes.

While with the Phillies, his power numbers dropped from his 1985 peak. He still played as an outfielder and designated hitter when possible under NL rules.

Young struggled to find the same form he had in Baltimore. His offense was inconsistent, and he couldn’t match the home run totals that once made him so valuable.

Time with Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Indians

Young wrapped up his MLB career with the Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Indians. It’s kind of funny—Cleveland actually drafted him back in 1978, but he didn’t sign then.

In these final seasons, Young played like a guy whose best days were behind him. From 1986 to 1989, he hit just 27 home runs, a big drop from his 1985 breakout.

The Brewers mostly used him as a backup outfielder and occasional designated hitter. He still brought versatility, but his offense kept sliding.

With Cleveland, Young played his last MLB game on September 30, 1989, at age 29. Over those last four years, he posted a .236/.330/.366 slash line and an OPS+ of 91.

Position Versatility and Playing Style

Mike Young showed real flexibility throughout his eight-year MLB run, mostly as an outfielder and designated hitter. His switch-hitting and defensive skills made him a valuable utility guy for several teams from 1982 to 1989.

Outfielder Role and Defensive Skills

Young spent most of his playing time in the outfield for the Orioles and other clubs. His defense brought some stability to Baltimore’s outfield rotation between 1982 and 1987.

The outfield fit Young’s athletic build and skill set. At 6’2″ and 195 pounds, he had the tools for solid outfield play.

His defensive work was especially valuable during his best years in Baltimore. Young could cover ground and handle routine plays, helping out the pitching staff.

He wasn’t an elite defender, but managers trusted his steady presence in the outfield. That reliability gave them options when building the lineup.

Switch Hitting and Batting Strengths

Young’s switch-hitting set him apart from a lot of players in his era. He could keep the platoon advantage against both lefties and righties his whole career.

His best offensive year was 1985, when he hit .273 with 28 homers and 81 RBIs for Baltimore. That season showed he could really drive in runs.

On May 28, 1987, Young made history by becoming the fifth player ever to hit two extra-inning home runs in a single game. He went deep in both the 10th and 12th innings against the California Angels.

In the end, he totaled 72 home runs and 235 RBIs in 635 games. Those numbers show steady power production from both sides of the plate during his career.

Contributions as a Designated Hitter

As his career went on, the designated hitter role became more important for Young. That spot let him focus just on hitting, without worrying about defense.

His switch-hitting made him especially useful as a DH. Managers could slot him in against any pitcher and not give up a matchup advantage.

Young’s power numbers worked well in the DH spot. Playing there probably helped him stick around longer, since he didn’t have to grind through daily defensive duties.

Teams like the Cleveland Indians mostly used Young as a designated hitter in his final season in 1989. That role showed how his job shifted toward being an offensive specialist.

Retirement in 1989 and Later Life

Mike Young finished his baseball career with the Cleveland Indians in 1989, closing out an eight-year major league journey. After retiring, he played internationally and eventually faced a tragic end in Brazil years later.

Final MLB Season and Transition

Young’s last MLB season was with the Cleveland Indians in 1989. That wrapped up his American League career, which ran from 1982 to 1989.

Moving from the Orioles to Cleveland was his fourth and final team change. He’d played for the Orioles from 1982 to 1987, then had short stints with the Phillies and Brewers in 1988.

He appeared in his last major league game on September 30, 1989. By then, Young had stacked up 72 home runs and 235 RBIs in his career.

In the late 1980s, a lot of players started looking at international baseball. Young joined that trend after leaving MLB.

Post-Retirement Activities

In 1990, Young continued his professional baseball career in Japan with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.

Heading to Japan was a common move for American players at the time. It gave Young a chance to keep playing at a high level and experience a new baseball culture.

He later settled in Brazil, staying connected through his wife’s family. Young spent his later years there, far from the fields where he once played.

Leaving pro sports led him to a new life in South America. That was a big change, both geographically and culturally, from his days in baseball.

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

Young pulled off his most memorable feat on May 28, 1987, while he was still playing for the Baltimore Orioles. He became only the fifth player in major league history to hit two extra-inning home runs in a single game.

That wild night happened at Memorial Stadium, facing the California Angels. Young smashed a homer in the 10th inning, then, just two innings later, he ended the game with a walk-off home run, giving the Orioles an 8-7 win.

Back in 1985, Young put up his best numbers, hitting .273 with 28 home runs and 81 RBIs. That year really marked the high point of his offensive game during the mid-’80s.

Young died of a heart attack on May 28, 2023, in Atílio Vivacqua, Espírito Santo, Brazil. He was 63, and, oddly enough, became the first MLB player ever to pass away in Brazil.

Personal Life and Recognition

Mike Young’s life reached far beyond the baseball field. He dove into education and business, especially in health and fitness. People recognized his contributions to both the sport and his community, not just while he played, but long after.

Off-Field Interests and Education

Young started out at Chabot College in Hayward, California, where he played baseball before the Baltimore Orioles drafted him. That community college experience really set the stage for his pro career.

After he hung up his cleats, Young decided to focus on health and fitness education. In 2009, he graduated with honors from the National Personal Training Institute of Ohio and picked up certifications in training and nutrition.

He poured his athletic experience into health and wellness businesses. He ran Genesis Fitness Concepts, which let him share what he knew about physical conditioning and training.

Young also cared about giving back. He partnered with the Motivating Our Kids Foundation. On top of that, he founded FLONation Foundation, a Hayward-based nonprofit that worked to tackle childhood and adult obesity.

Accolades and Tributes

Young’s most notable achievement happened in his 1985 season. He hit .273 with 28 home runs and 81 RBIs for the Baltimore Orioles, which really marked the peak of his eight-year major league career.

On August 19, 1985, Young got recognized as co-Player of the Week with pitcher Bert Blyleven. He earned it after batting .368, smashing 5 home runs, and driving in 14 RBIs in just one week, which is honestly pretty wild.

Young grabbed fifth place in the voting for the 1984 AL Rookie of the Year Award—Seattle’s Alvin Davis ended up winning that one. In his rookie year, Young posted a .252 batting average and knocked 17 home runs.

On May 28, 1987, Young pulled off something rare by becoming only the fifth player in major league history to hit two extra-inning home runs in a single game. He homered in both the 10th and 12th innings, pushing the Orioles to an 8-7 win over the California Angels at Memorial Stadium.