Floyd Youmans

Floyd Everett Youmans (born May 11 1964, in Tampa, Florida) was a baseball pitcher who pitched in the major leagues from by|1985 to by|1989 for the Montreal Expos and Philadelphia Phillies.

Youmans, a childhood friend and high school teammate of former New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden, was drafted by the Mets in the second round of the June 1982 draft, one round after the club selected Gooden. [baseball-reference.com. [http://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?franch_ID=NYM&year_ID=1982&draft_type=junreg "1982 Mets Picks in the June Draft."] Retrieved July 3, 2007.] On December 10, 1984, Youmans was traded to the Montreal Expos along with Hubie Brooks, Mike Fitzgerald and Herm Winningham for future Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter.

Youmans made his major league debut in the middle of the following season, starting on July 1, 1985, against the St. Louis Cardinals. He had a fine rookie season, finishing with an earned run average of 2.45, best of any starter on the team. 1986 saw the hard-throwing right-hander enter the rotation full-time, throwing five double-digit strikeout games and finishing third in the National League in strikeouts. He also led the league in bases on balls, however, limiting his effectiveness and contributing to a 13-12 win-loss record.

In 1987 Youmans was plagued with injuries, visiting the disabled list three times. [ New York Times. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE7DF1E3DF933A1575BC0A961948260 "Sports People; Youmans Disabled."] August 20, 1987.] He also threw three shutouts in the month of July, however, and was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for the achievement. [baseballlibrary.com. [http://www.baseballlibrary.com/ballplayers/player.php?name=Floyd_Youmans_1964] Retrieved July 3, 2007.]

After the 1987 season Youmans checked into a drug rehabilitation program ["New York Times". [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE3DC143BF937A25753C1A961948260 "Sports People: Youmans Enters Clinic."] October 14, 1987.] , and would never pitch a full season again. On June 25, 1988, Youmans was suspended indefinitely "for failing to comply with his drug-testing program." [New York Times. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE1DD153BF932A2575BC0A96E948260 "Sports People; 60 Days for Youmans."] August 11, 1988.] In August he admitted having used cocaine. [New York Times. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE0DD113CF931A2575BC0A96E948260 "Sports People; Youmans 'Clears Air.'"] August 12, 1988.] The suspension was later clarified as 60 days, but he did not return to the majors that season.

On December 6, 1988, Youmans was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies with Jeff Parrett for Kevin Gross. His 1989 season with the Phillies was marked by injury; he was on the disabled list for most of May and pitched his last game on June 24. Arthroscopic shoulder surgery was performed on August 22 [New York Times. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE4DC1630F930A1575BC0A96F948260 "Sports People: Baseball; Youmans Is Out."] August 23, 1989.] , and the 25-year-old Youmans would never pitch in the majors again. He attempted a comeback in 2003 at age 39 in the Canadian Baseball League, but only pitched five games before the league folded.

Starting in 2008 season, Youmans was the pitching coach for the Joliet Jackhammers of the Northern League.

ee also

* Montreal Expos all-time roster

Notes

ee also

* Youmans' major league statistics at Baseball-Reference [http://www.baseball-reference.com/y/youmafl01.shtml]
* Youmans' major and minor league record at The Baseball Cube [http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/Y/Floyd-Youmans.shtml]
* Biography at baseballlibrary.com [http://www.baseballlibrary.com/ballplayers/player.php?name=Floyd_Youmans_1964]