Kevin Young is a former professional baseball player who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals during his career. He was born on June 16, 1969, in Alpena, Michigan, and attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he played college baseball.
Young was drafted by the Pirates in the seventh round of the 1990 Major League Baseball draft and made his major league debut in 1992. He played primarily as a first baseman and was known for his power hitting and solid defense.
During his time with the Pirates, Young was a key player on the team that won the National League East division in 1992 and 1997. He had his best season in 1999, when he hit .298 with 26 home runs and 106 RBIs. He also won a Silver Slugger award that year, which is given to the best offensive player at each position in each league.
In 2000, Young signed a three-year contract with the Royals, but he struggled during his time in Kansas City. He hit just .234 with 18 home runs and 68 RBIs in his first season with the team and was limited by injuries in his second and third seasons.
Young retired from baseball after the 2003 season, finishing his career with a .258 batting average, 144 home runs, and 606 RBIs. He also had a .992 fielding percentage at first base.
After his playing career, Young worked as a broadcaster for the Pirates and served as a special assistant to the general manager for the team. He also founded the Kevin Young Baseball Camp, which provides instruction to young players in his hometown of Alpena, Michigan.
In 2018, Young was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in recognition of his successful baseball career. He remains a beloved figure among Pirates fans and is remembered as one of the team's most consistent and reliable players during his time in Pittsburgh.
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