Youngblood was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds out of Stephen F. Austin High School in the second round of the 1970 Major League Baseball Draft. After six seasons in their farm system, in which he batted .275 with 47 home runs and 274 RBIs, he made his major league debut on April 13, 1976. He batted only .193 for the "Big Red Machine" the season they swept the National League Championship Series and World Series, but he made his one and only appearance as a catcher that season.\n', '

During Spring training the following season, he was dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals for Bill Caudill. He hit a home run in his first at-bat as a Cardinal, albeit during an exhibition game. In 25 regular season games with the Cards, Youngblood batted .185 with just one run batted in and no home runs.\n', '

On June 15, 1977, the New York Mets traded Tom Seaver to the Cincinnati Reds for Pat Zachry, Doug Flynn, Steve Henderson and Dan Norman, and Dave Kingman to the San Diego Padres for Bobby Valentine and minor league pitcher Paul Siebert. Somewhat more quietly that day, they also acquired Youngblood from the Cardinals for Mike Phillips. To make room for Youngblood on the Mets\' active roster, player-manager Joe Torre retired as a player.\n', '

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