Michael Young is the consummate professional ballplayer. In his first season at third base, he committed just nine errors, his lowest total in six years. He is a model of consistency, and for that reason, he has become a fan favorite and the face of the franchise. There are lofty expectations for Young and the Rangers this season, but Young, who will serve as team captain, can lead the team in the direction to meet and exceed them.
A hamstring pull limited Young to just 135 games in 2009. But his offensive numbers still improved from 2008. Even without September, Young bashed 22 long balls and racked up 280 total bases, despite not being best known for his home run power. Young put 12 homers and 259 total bases in the books for 2008. Likely helped by the higher home run total, Young’s OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) rose from .741 in 2008 to .892 last season.
Even with the comfort of improved individual numbers, Young only cares that he helps the overall team succeed. He gets angry at himself when he commits an error in the field because he feels he let his teammates down by not achieving an out.
But it’s not all about on-field performance for #10. He and his wife serve as ambassadors for an organization called Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer. Through the organization, he forged a friendship with Carson Leslie, a local teenager who died last month.
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