Young Embraces Comradery Displayed At Pirates Fantasy Camp

When Kevin Young arrives in Bradenton this week as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates alumni staff for fantasy camp duties, chances are that he’ll be making new friends.

Once at Pirate City, Young will be catching up with some familiar faces of the Pirates’ family. Joining him, who once wore the black and gold colors synonymous with Pittsburgh sports, is Steve Blass.  The pitching hero of the 1971 World Series that silenced the Baltimore Orioles in Game 7 going nine innings will be the source of many smiles brought to campers’ faces.

Former 1990 National League Cy Young Award winner and 1994 MLB All-Star Doug Drabek is on the camp’s roster, too.  John Wehner, currently an analyst with the Pirates’ broadcast crew and the last player to slug a home run at Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Stadium in 2000, will be in uniform for fantasy week.  

Former Pirates hurler Don Robinson will teach campers the finer points of gripping a baseball starting December 7 at Pirate City. Robinson, a member of the Pirates’ 1979 World Series championship team and a three-time Silver Slugger Award winner when pitchers used to swing a bat, is no stranger to Bradenton.

Robinson is currently the pitching coach for the State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota baseball program.

Young, along with 15 other former Pirates, will instruct and motivate campers through December 14. Drafted by Pittsburgh in July 1990 as a 7th-round pick, Young spent only two seasons in the minor leagues before getting the call to “The Show” in July 1992.

“I appreciate it as much as they do,” Young explains of the bonding that takes place between campers and Pirates’ alumni.  “It’s an honor to be with them.  I never took my playing career for granted, and it’s the fans who made so much possible for me.”

Making the trip to Bradenton for camp week from his home in Arizona’s Maricopa County, Young said during a telephone talk this past week that he enjoys telling stories from when he spent 11 of his 12 MLB seasons in Pittsburgh. 

“Campers are going to create a fellowship during the week that will last a lifetime. They become part of a family.”

As one of the former players who campers remember supporting, hearing their appreciation firsthand, according to Young, brings even more joy to the journey he experienced as a Pirate. 

The “sold out” camp schedule allows ample time for lasting memories to occur away from the playing fields at Pirate City. In addition to the games played each day, there are autograph sessions and other private times made available for campers to schmooze with Pittsburgh baseball royalty.

“Some of the people attending are building themselves up in advance to really enjoy the week.  I look forward to the fun, when we are all in the clubhouse just telling stories,” says Young, who last played for the Pirates in June 2003.

With the start of spring training just over two months away, for many attending the Pirates’ fantasy camp (and alumni, as well), the seven-day experience they have signed up for fills their baseball void.