File this away as one of the stranger stories you’ve probably seen. Dmitri Young, who hasn’t played in the majors since 2008 but is currently coaching an independent team, was busted at the airport in Illinois for weed possession. He was released on $100 bond and he got out in front of the story by notifying the team he coaches and the league about the issue. The strangest part about the story is that as Michael Tunison at The Sporting Blog via Walkoff Walk points out, the team is supportive of Dmitri’s drug use. Here’s what Oakland County Cruisers team president Rob Hilliard had to say:
“While we believe Dmitri could have exercised better judgment in this situation, we have been speaking with his physician and are beginning to have a clearer understanding of the circumstances surrounding his health. What we are certain about is Dmitri’s positive impact on our players, their approach to the game and their commitment to competing.”
While accepting responsibility for his arrest and admitting his actions were illegal and wrong, Da Meat Hook also tried to justify his use of marijuana. Young explained that he smokes the herb to ease both his physical and mental pain. While I feel badly for Dmitri that he’s having these pains, turning to an illegal drug really isn’t an excuse and he certainly should know better than to carry it through an airport. Much like Rob Hilliard though, I can attest to Dmitri’s positive impact on young players. Da Meat Hook was one of the most encouraging, engaging, and nicest coaches I’ve ever been around, and he was always one of my favorite players in the game. I hope he doesn’t end up in the same situation again.
Sources:
Dmitri Young says pot for aches, pains [Detroit Free Press]
Minor League Team’s Reaction To Dmitri Young Weed Arrest Is A Bit Telling [The Sporting Blog]
Dmitri Young Has Pseudo Prescription For That Bag Of Grass [Walkoff Walk]
