Young’s career started auspiciously with the 1983 Seattle Mariners. His 11-15 record made him the staff ace, and his 3.27 ERA set the team mark for lowest ERA by a starter, and resulted in an All-Star berth for the rookie. The anticipation inherent in starting was too much for him, and after leading the AL with 19 losses in 1985 he was converted to relief.
Young led the Seattle staff with 13 saves in 1986 but was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Dennis Powell that winter. He was unimpressive in the NL, and after a trade to the Oakland Athletics in 1988, developed injury problems that caused him to miss the whole season. He came back in 1989 and pitched decently out of the bullpen, but upon returning to the Mariners the next season, promptly lost 18 games.
