Michael Young News: Pro Sports Daily

Rangers' Michael Young makes injury worse

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September 21

Dallas Morning News

"Michael Young said he does no regret his decision to play Tuesday. Young aggravated his left hamstring strain in his lone at-bat. He hasn't played since and has just that one at-bat since Sept. 1. "I knew there were some risks involved," Young said Sunday. "At the time I felt it was right to roll the dice and go play. We had been shut out two nights in a row, and I wanted to go help." He said it's important now to give the injury time to heal. "I'm going to handle it the way I did when I first hurt it, and handle it day-to-day and stay with my rehab," he said. "We have a great training staff here, and it's probably time I listened to them for once.""

Texas Rangers' Young still waiting on hamstring

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September 19

Dallas Morning News

"Michael Young's initial goal once he strained his left hamstring was to be back in the lineup for the series against the Los Angeles Angels. It didn't happen Friday night. Young hit in the batting cages before the game but was still feeling some pain. "It's just not ready," he said. "It's disappointing because obviously I want to play. ... I just have to get after it and try to get ready for tomorrow." Young tried to play Tuesday against Oakland. He left after one at-bat. "I have no regrets, but I still have to focus on my rehab," Young said. "The last couple of days, it's been tight and stiff. I know it's going to improve. I just want it to be ready now, and it's not." Manager Ron ..."

Rangers have plan with Young out

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September 4

Dallas Morning News

"Rangers manager Ron Washington is big on having players who can fill many roles. That's turning out to be a good thing because of the left hamstring injury to Michael Young. Including Young, the Rangers have five players on their 33-man roster who have major league experience at third base. But with Young out for two weeks, the Rangers are going to their many options. However, Hank Blalock, a two-time All-Star at third base, won't be one of them. Washington doesn't want to risk Blalock hurting the right arm he had surgery on two years ago. Here's a look at the other short-term candidates for third base."

Rangers' Young to miss at least two weeks

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September 3

Dallas Morning News

"Michael Young's mood Wednesday was much more upbeat than when he left Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Tuesday night. After straining his left hamstring running out a third-inning grounder Tuesday, Young thought his season was over. But after having an MRI and meeting with team doctor Keith Meister, the six-time All-Star hopes to be back in the lineup in two weeks. "That was obviously very uplifting for me," the third baseman said. "For him to tell me there's a good chance I'll be able to roll for the last two weeks of the season, that's great news for me. The boys can keep the ship afloat for a while, and I'll be ready to go to work those last couple of weeks." Now it's up to the ..."

Michael Young update

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September 2

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"The biggest event for the Rangers Wednesday might not be the game against Toronto, but instead a noon MRI scheduled for Michael Young's left hamstring. He left the second game in the third inning after injuring the hamstring running down the first-base line. Young doesn't know what to expect. "I've never had any hamstring issues in my life," he said. "I'm in shock. At this time of the season, missing one pitch kills me. This is pretty tough." Young said he's going to be aggressive with his rehab and try to return to the lineup as quickly as possible. "I'm not going to sit around and pout about it," he said. "It happened.""

Rangers' Young is AL player of the week

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August 25

Dallas Morning News

"Michael Young, who is riding an 11-game hitting streak heading into today's series opener against the New York Yankees, has been selected the American League player of the week. Young had three consecutive three-hit games and went 15-for-30 for the week. The 15 hits were more than any other player in the major leagues. Young had two doubles, a triple, a homer and eight RBIs. Young's 11-game hitting streak gives him 19 hitting streaks of 10 games or longer, which ties Ivan Rodriguez for most in club history. Young was player of the week on one other occasion, in August 2006."

Texas Rangers spotlight: Michael Young

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August 24

Dallas Morning News

"Michael Young is healthy this season, and the numbers are showing it. His two-run single in the third inning Sunday extended his hitting streak to 11 games. During the streak, Young his hitting .444 with 20 hits and 11 RBIs. His .329 average this season is sixth-best in the American League. Injuries hampered his bid for a sixth consecutive 200-hit season in 2008, but he's well on his way this season. He needs 40 hits in the team's final 39 games to reach the mark. "My two biggest goals every season are to be healthy and stay consistent," said Young. "Last year, I wasn't able to have one of those, or maybe both of them. This year, I've been able to stay on the field and focus on the ..."

Michael Young sets the tone in the Texas Rangers' clubhouse

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June 14

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"The irony is that Michael Young's ascension to unquestioned king of the Texas Rangers' clubhouse has come in a year that began with such questions and pain for him. Maybe we shouldn't have been surprised. Not many players play with pain as Michael does, as he has ably demonstrated on many occasions. It is no coincidence that Young's clear-cut position as leader of the Rangers' clubhouse should coincide with what manager Ron Washington says is the best clubhouse atmosphere he's had in three years in Texas, one that bears a striking resemblance to those he often saw in his 11 years as a coach in Oakland. The Rangers' clubhouse has reached a point where Washington and his coaches have been ..."

Young, Kinsler out of lineup

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May 24

Dallas Morning News

"The 1-2 punch that normally jump-starts the Rangers' offense never made it to the field Saturday afternoon. Third baseman Michael Young was out with a sprained right ankle, and leadoff hitter Ian Kinsler was given his first day off this season. Young spent part of the morning at an area hospital getting X-rays and had a pair of crutches in his locker. Young received treatment and had the ankle heavily taped but couldn't run on it. "It's getting a lot better already," said Young, who was replaced by Hank Blalock. "I tried to run. It just wasn't responding. I couldn't put any weight on it to make it even feasible." Young, who hopes to play today, was injured in the first inning Friday. ..."

Young held out with back stiffness

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May 11

MLB.com

"With an off-day approaching, Rangers third baseman Michael Young was out of the lineup with lower back stiffness on Sunday for the second straight game at U.S. Cellular Field. "I'd much rather have him in that lineup today, but he's not available, so we have to move on with what we got," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "Hopefully Tuesday he'll be ready." Young received treatment in the visiting clubhouse for an injury he sustained Friday night while diving for a ball. A similar back issue forced him to miss two games in 2004. "I was hoping to come in to play today," Young said after Sunday's 7-1 victory over the White Sox. "I felt a little better, but with the day off tomorrow it just ..."

Michael Young offers a tip: A-Rod didn't do it

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May 3

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Based on my research, Alex Rodriguez, at least so far, has not been blamed for swine flu or Somalian pirates. Otherwise, a never-ending series of rancid news reports tells us A-Rod has become about the most despicable person on earth, or at least in the jockdom portion of earth. Let me say up front, I liked Alex when he played here, and have previously been on record as defending Alex's three seasons with the Rangers. Granted, over the last year or so, I've ducked out as an A-Rod defender. But as of last week, this guy might have reached the lowest of his many new lows. And I don't mean allegedly using steroids, before, during and after his Arlington stay, and repeatedly lying about using ..."

Young hitting cleanup?

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February 24

Dallas Morning News

"Eyes where opened early Monday when the lineups were posted for the first intrasquad game of the spring. Michael Young was batting fourth for the team managed by third base coach Dave Anderson. The same Young who has never batted cleanup at any point in his big league career. Manager Ron Washington, though, quickly quieted any alarms that might have been sounded. Anderson was trying to break up a glut of left-handed hitters, and Washington plans to bat Young second once the season begins. That's my intention," Washington said. "Dave Anderson has him hitting cleanup. I don't plan on doing that. I'm not putting anything into where these guys are batting right now." Neither was Young, who ..."

Michael Young has a lot to learn

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January 28

Dallas Morning News

"Cal Ripken knows what Michael Young faces as he makes the transition from shortstop to third. Ripken is an authority on the subject. He moved to third base for good in 1997 at age 36 after 15 seasons at shortstop. Ripken switched to make room for Mike Bordick because the Orioles believed that made them a better team. It's not unlike Young's move, which gives 20-year-old Elvis Andrus an opportunity to start his major league career. Ripken said he thinks Young will succeed in his new location. "He has really good hands and has all the skills," Ripken said in a telephone interview this week. "He'll be fine. But it is an adjustment, and there are things you have to get used to." Among ..."

Michael Young prepares to make the tough move 40 feet to his right

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January 20

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"It's only a 40-foot move to the right, but for Michael Young this spring, it will seem like miles. He may even think he's entered a foreign country when he shifts from shortstop to third base after reporting to training camp in Surprise, Ariz., next month. In fact, he'd best bring his passport. The Texas Rangers are breathing easier after Young reluctantly decided he'd rather switch than fight last week - he really didn't have much choice and he knew it - but for Michael, the real battle is still ahead. At 32, he's starting all over again, at his third position in the big leagues. "Just because you're going 40 feet to your right, it isn't a slam-dunk move," Young told reporters. "It isn't ..."

Young will shift to third base

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January 15

MLB.com

"Rangers infielder Michael Young has agreed to move to third base for the 2009 season. Young has also rescinded his request for a trade. The move opens the door for rookie Elvis Andrus to play shortstop. The Rangers asked Young to move to third base in December. He was initially opposed to the move and requested a trade. Now he said Wednesday afternoon that he is willing to make the switch."

Texas Rangers failed in handling Young situation

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January 13

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"When I caught Nolan Ryan on the phone Monday morning, he was in his car, in the middle of a dust storm raised by a street sweeper in Corpus Christi. "Can't see a thing," Ryan said in that distinctive drawl we've all smiled at more than once. Problem is, that little man-made dust cloud is nothing compared to the hurricane Ryan and the Texas Rangers find themselves trying to ride out today after the team's drastically bungled attempt to persuade Michael Young to move to third base so they can install 20-year-old Elvis Andrus at shortstop. How, you have to ask yourself, does a team screw up even a team player like Michael Young to the point that he feels he has to ask to be traded? Jon ..."

Texas Rangers should give Young a second look

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January 13

Dallas Morning News

columnist Tim Cowlishaw

"When Jon Daniels signed Michael Young to a five-year, $80 million extension two years ago, he said he hoped it would help the Rangers keep his good friend Mark Teixeira. Big Tex is long gone. Michael Young could be on the way. Young revealed over the weekend that he asked to be traded after a breakfast with Daniels a few weeks ago turned ugly when, Young said, Daniels gave him an ultimatum to move to third base. When I talked to Young on Monday, he said he was in a much better frame of mind after a good phone conversation with club president Nolan Ryan on Friday. But he said he still had no idea where this thing was headed and whether the club would try to insist on moving him to ..."

Texas Rangers' Michael Young asks for trade, says hand forced

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January 12

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Spring training is five weeks away, and the Texas Rangers don't know with certainty whether the face of their ballclub will be with them. Michael Young has told general manager Jon Daniels to explore a trade after balking at the club's request that he switch from shortstop to third base for the 2009 season. In addition to being a five-time All-Star and the Rangers' captain, Young won the American League Gold Glove at shortstop in 2008. He led all AL shortstops in fielding percentage, but the Rangers told him last month that they would be better with him at third and prospect Elvis Andrus eventually at shortstop. Young said he was told by Daniels and manager Ron Washington that if he was to ..."

Michael Young: 'I told them I wanted to be traded'

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January 12

Dallas Morning News

"Texas Rangers shortstop Michael Young has asked for a trade after he was told the club wanted him to move to third base this season to make room for 20-year-old shortstop prospect Elvis Andrus. "I'm not playing third base," Young said. "I'm pretty adamant about my stance. I told them I wanted to be traded. "The biggest misconception is that I was asked to move to third base. I was never asked. I was flat out told. I was told I was playing third base. I felt that I had absolutely no say. I don't feel like there was any discussion or dialogue about the matter." Young is under contract through 2013 for about $60 million. He has a full no-trade clause through 2009 but said he's given the ..."

Michael Young's value to Texas Rangers isn't just in numbers

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January 11

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"No game plays the numbers game like baseball. No sport is as analyzed, as computerized, as SABR-ized as baseball. That's one reason I love it so much. There's a way to quantify almost everything. Except heart. It's that intangible that makes baseball human and it's what makes it even more loveable. It is why Bucky Dent's name will live forever in baseball lore, because of one incredible fly ball into the screen at Fenway Park. The human element is why a guy like Brian Doyle, a career .161 hitter, can be a World Series star for the New York Yankees. It's why Mark McLemore will receive the Texas Rangers' Mark Holtz alumni award at the team's Sluggers of the West banquet Jan. 23 in Dallas. ..."

Michael Young's Gold Glove may help keep him at shortstop for the Texas Rangers

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November 9

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"So much for asking Michael Young to switch positions. The Gold Glove American League managers and coaches bestowed upon Young on Thursday will likely entrench him even further at shortstop for the Rangers for the foreseeable future. Young adamantly doesn't want to change positions anyway, but, with talented Elvis Andrus coming quickly in the minors, maybe by 2010, the Rangers have been trying to figure out how to get both in the lineup. Young's ability to make the routine play and turn the double play was what earned him his first Gold Glove. Andrus is more athletic with more range. Rangers insiders recently told me that ideally, once Andrus is ready, the team could potentially feature an ..."

Michael Young turns consistency into first Gold Glove

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November 7

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"ESPN rarely finds itself replaying dazzling plays made by Texas Rangers shortstop Michael Young. He will make plenty during the course of 162 games, but the highlight mongers don't appreciate what he turned into gold Thursday. Young was selected for the first Gold Glove Award of his career on the strength of consistently making the routine plays at the best percentage in the American League. The league's managers and coaches gave Young the nod. In their mind, the best thing an infielder can do is take care of the plays he is supposed to make. "From an individual-award standpoint, this is as good as it gets," Young said at the Rangers Dallas Sales Office. "You want to keep the routine ..."

Michael Young wins Gold Glove

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November 6

Dallas Morning News

"When he moved from second base, Michael Young did it with the simple goal of becoming the best fielding shortstop he could be. Thursday, five years after he first made the move, Young was awarded the Gold Glove award as the American League's best fielding shortstop and made a bit of history in the process. In the previous 51 years of the award, no player in either league won the award at shortstop after having started his major league career by playing another position full time. "This really means everything to me," said Young, who along with Alex Rodriguez (2002 and 2003) are the only Rangers shortstops to win the award. "I knew when I moved over there, the only way for me to get ..."

Texas Rangers' Michael Young, Josh Hamilton earn honors

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October 25

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"One of the top honors given each year by the Major League Baseball Players Association was bestowed Friday upon Texas Rangers shortstop Michael Young, who is the Marvin Miller Man of the Year. The award, given since 1997 to the player who combines on-field performance with significant contributions to the community, is the first for a Rangers player. Young and his wife, Cristina Barbosa-Young, have been heavily involved in Wipe Out Kids' Cancer since 2002. Among other charity work, Young started the Young Heroes Scholarship program, which gives college aid and laptop computers to cancer survivors, in 2006. "We are at a point where we want to do everything we can to give back," Young said ..."

Texas Rangers' Young wins MLB Man of the Year

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October 25

Dallas Morning News

"Texas Rangers shortstop Michael Young won the 2008 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award, as voted on by major league players. The award is given to a player in either league "whose on-field performance and contributions to his community inspire others to higher levels of achievement." Young, 31, said he's proud of the award because it also recognizes the work his wife, Cristina, does in the community. "It's a family award," said Young, who will have $50,000 donated to charities of his choice by Major League Baseball. "I'm playing for 7½ months, and she's the one that makes sure we're expanding our role in the community and helping others. She does so much." Young and his wife are actively ..."

Michael Young remains upbeat through a down season

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September 21

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Statistically speaking, there's no question Michael Young has had a down year. The four-time all-star has struggled with broken ring fingers on both hands throughout the season, but rarely was pulled from the starting lineup. Young didn't start Saturday after leaving games early Wednesday and Friday when the broken finger in his right hand began to flair up. "It's unlike anything I've ever had to go through before," Young said. "I think in the long run it's going to help me out. I know at some point in my career I'm going to have an injury and I'll know how to deal with it." Young's batting average in 149 games is 20 points below his career average (.299) and his string of five consecutive ..."

Stories outshine his, but Young is the All-Star

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July 11

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"His story might not be as intriguing as those surrounding his three Texas Rangers teammates, all first-time All-Stars, but don?t begin to think that Young is flying under the radar."

Ailing Young extends hitting streak to 22 games

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June 8

Dallas Morning News

"Playing despite a broken left ring finger, shortstop Michael Young wasted no time extending his hitting streak to 22 games Saturday by lining a single to left in his first at-bat. But how long Young can keep it up is uncertain. He left the game after grounding out to end the seventh with tightness in his left groin. The Rangers are concerned enough that they are planning to call up infielder German Duran from Triple-A Oklahoma even though he hasn't played the last two days because of a hamstring cramp."