A vintage Joel Youngblood article from the SI Vault to get us through a lonely winter day.
In this strangest of seasons Joel Young-blood of the Mets has done the strangest of things: He has become an All-Star and one of baseball’s leading hitters without being assured a starting position. Not playing regularly isn’t new to the 29-year-old outfielder. His baseball lot, some might call it his pigeonhole, has always been that of the supersub. The Mets consider his versatility to be a blessing; Youngblood calls it a curse. Says Manager Joe Torre, “It’s a manager’s dream.” Replies Youngblood, “Don’t tell me, ‘You’re too good to start.’ I don’t want to hear it. I want to play.”
For an All-Star, Joel Youngblood of the Mets spends a lot – 08.24.81 – SI Vault