Books and articles about Floyd Youmans

An extremely talented hard-throwing starter, Youmans's problems with drugs have hampered what should have been an outstanding career. He was a high-school teammate of Dwight Gooden for two years in Tampa, FL and was the Mets second-round selection (behind Gooden) in the 1982 draft, before becoming one of four players traded to the Expos for Gary Carter in December 1984. Youmans joined the Expos' starting rotation at the age of 22 in 1986, and had several brilliant outings en route to a 13-12, 3.53 record. He pitched a one-hitter against the Phillies June 8, threw three two-hitters, and struck out 15 Phillies on September 27. He also led the NL in walks with 118. In 1987 he again showed flashes of brilliance, pitching a one-hitter against the Astros July 8 on his way to NL Pitcher of the Month honors (4-1, 1.13), but was on the DL three times, and after the season checked into a drug rehabilitation program. Youmans returned to pitch in 1988, only to check back into rehabilitation for most of July and August, and in December 1988 the Expos traded their troubled young pitcher to the Phillies with Jeff Parrett for Kevin Gross. (SCL)