Series with Rockies a family affair for Young

By Anthony Fenech / MLB.com | 07/24/11

PHOENIX -- D-backs first-base coach Eric Young remembers watching his son Eric Jr. in Little League.

"I had to contain my emotions back then," Young admitted.

But it was nothing like Friday night, when Eric Jr. made his first appearance in front of his dad on a big league diamond as a pinch-hitter.

"I got chills and I was smiling so wide inside that I had to contain it," Young said. "I just went back to watching him as a Little Leaguer going up to hit, and it was just an awesome feeling."

And it was almost an empty feeling for Young's youngest son, Dallas, who hasn't yet grasped the difference between the Major and Minor Leagues and wondered Wednesday night if he was going to see his older brother.

"He asked, saying '[The D-backs are] playing the Rockies, dad,'" Young said. "And we had to explain to him that, no, your brother won't be here."

But Young Jr. was recalled by Colorado from Triple-A Colorado Springs on Thursday, which made for perfect timing.

"I think, for me, more than watching Junior play, to have both of my sons here is why it was such a special weekend for me," Young said.

They were able to get lunch before Friday's series opener, and while Young hoped that his son would get a start or two during the series, watching him draw a walk on Friday as a pinch-hitter was enough.

"I said that, 'If [you don't start], do your thing as a pinch-hitter," Young said.

In parts of three big league seasons, Young Jr. has a .242 average in 277 at-bats with 25 stolen bases.