"My behavior was completely unacceptable. I want everyone to know that I recognize that it is never right to throw a bat and I certainly never intended for the bat to make contact with the umpire. Nevertheless, I owe an apology to my team, the fans and most importantly to the umpire, for the incident. I'm sorry."
Young's actions stunned Pawtucket catcher Corky Miller.
"I think he was standing there," said Miller, "and after I threw the ball back to the pitcher (Jon Lester), I heard the umpire say 'You better get going.' I turned and I thought he was talking to me. I saw (Young) was still in the box. I think he took a little bit too much time (before leaving the box), more than the umpire would have liked him to.
"It was hard to say what was going through his mind. Guys have emotions but you try to learn how to control them. I'm sure as the bat left his hands he realized it was a bad decision and he'll be punished for it."
Regardless of how severe the punishment is that he receives, Young is unlikely to find a sympathetic ear anywhere in the Devil Rays organization.
In a statement released today by the team, Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman said "The Devil Rays organization supports the decision by International League President Randy Mobley to suspend Delmon Young indefinitely for the incident that took place (Wednesday night) in Pawtucket. We do not tolerate this type of conduct from anyone in the Devil Rays organization.
"We will meet with Delmon and his representatives as soon as possible to further address this unfortunate situation. It cannot and will not be repeated."
The Young and the Restless
Young already burned Tampa Bay last September. The D-Rays held a Minor League Player-of-the Year media teleconference arranged by Durham during which their top-ranked outfielder blasted the organization for not calling him up.
"As soon as I get my time up there, as soon as I become a free agent, I'll bounce out of there," Young was quoted as saying.
In the opinion of the scout, Young risks getting bounced out of the Tampa Bay organization.
Continued...
