Michael Young (Baseball)

"Last Night Was a Bitch," Other Mothereffing Moments From Rangers' Pre-Game 7 Pep Talks

For sports bootleg collectors, this is pure gold: six minutes of motivational cursing from the Texas Rangers' locker room in the moments before Game 7 World Series. Dozens of copies, all from Joe Sports Fan, landed in the Unfair Park in-box overnight, and for most the takeaway is skipper Ron Washing ... More >>

Final Gut Check: Rangers-Cardinals World Series Game 7 Preview and Open Thread

St. Louis CardinalsTrying to forget this happened won't be easy for Texas, but they have to find a way if they want to salvage the championship.​As I've written before, I fell in love with the game of baseball in 1986 -- the first year I watched every inning of the World Series. Although I ha ... More >>

Stealing the Mojo: Rangers-Cardinals World Series Game 3 Preview and Open Thread

Texas RangersIan Kinsler completes the best defensive play I've seen in my 25 years watching the Fall Classic -- a diving stop by Elvis Andrus and flip to Kinsler with his glove to end the fifth inning of Game 2. Just spectacular athleticism displayed by Andrus.​If you've read my piece about S ... More >>

If Nothing Else, the Rangers Need to Win World Series Just to Spruce Up Cooperstown Exhibit

​The video you'll find after the jump was posted two days ago by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. So far it's been viewed 60 times. In it, John O'Dell, curator of history and research, provides a brief tour of Rangers artifacts in the Hall -- brief, because t ... More >>

Forever Young: Texas Rangers-Detroit Tigers ALCS Game 4 Preview and Open Thread

Photo by Sam MertenElvis Andrus and a beardless Michael Young haven't hit their strides yet at the plate, but that's about to change. ​As depressing as it was, I believe Game 3 of the American League Championship Series was an anomaly, much like Game 1 of the ALDS. Nothing seemed right. And w ... More >>

Michael Young: Half Man, Half Hitting Machine

Though slumps and stardom, all Michael Young does is hit.

Whitt's End: 9.16.11

​Whether you've reached the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *Every once in a while I take Michael Young for granted. I think of him as a step-slow, reaction-reduced fielder. Then I go to Rangers Ballpark, watch him rip a bases-loaded double down ... More >>

Michael Young Whiffs; Texas Rangers Lose

​Not saying by any means that it was an easy or routine play. As Rangers' manager Ron Washington said, the ball was "smoked." But it's a ball that third baseman Michael Young could've stopped, right?When Young did the ole on Casper Wells' hot shot in the 7th inning Wednesday night, I was remi ... More >>

Rangers' Offense Gone, But Shannon Stone Not Forgotten

​So the Rangers exploded for 12 runs Friday night thanks to Nelson Cruz' eight RBI. On Saturday they authored a dramatic 9th-innning comeback, powered by three consecutive bunts and a walk-off hit by Michael Young. So surely Sunday night would provide some thrills. Some entertainm ... More >>

Dirk Nowitzki's Final Assist This Summer to ... Michael Young

His Flamingo Fadeaway on the mound with a basketball was funny. And his cartoonish, exaggerated Max Patkin-like delivery was funnier. Dirk Nowitzki on Friday night was the best thing on a Rangers' pitching mound in a while. Only thing better would've been if Michael Young's leaping catch woul ... More >>

Give Ron Washington Credit for His Desperation Flip-Flop

​Rangers' manager Ron Washington loves status quo. Likes the same ol' routine of it all. When something extraordinary happens in the game he delivers his pet philosophical phrase: "That's the way baseball go." But in the midst of watching his team lose seven of nine games and seven of eight ... More >>

Which Of Your Texas Rangers Has The Coolest Intro Music?

​Last week, the Morning News' Rangers beat writer/columnist Evan Grant shared the music being used at the start of this baseball season by most of your Texas Rangers players -- either at-bat music or welcome-to-the-mound stuff, naturally.The best news that wasn't? Grant reported that catcher Mike ... More >>

A Rangers Repeat? History Suggests Odds Are Long.

One Hit Wonders

Whitt's End: 3.25.11

​Whether you've reached the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *Like me, do you think the Texas Rangers are kinda getting caught with their pants on the ground with their pitching staff exposed? The time to go get a reliable closer is not next year, it' ... More >>

Bronze Beltre

Rangers Re-Do: Frankie Francisco for Mike Napoli

​Mike Napoli may help the Texas Rangers win some games this season, but right now he's a big pain in the butt. How's that? Because think of the team's landscape had general manager Jon Daniels not acquired Napoli from the Toronto Blue Jays on January 25 for reliever Frankie Francisco. If tha ... More >>

My Top 5 Worries About the Texas Rangers at Spring Training

​I know that stats are usually meaningless during baseball's spring training. But trends and feels aren't. The San Francisco Giants won the Cactus League in 2010 with an 23-12 record, but their opponent in the World Series - your Texas Rangers - went a last-place 10-19. Pitchers are usua ... More >>

Michael Young: Still Here. Still Hitting.

​Don't know what else to call it, I'm just getting a weird vibe here in Surprise, Arizona. The defending American League champion Texas Rangers somehow only have two starters (C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis) inked into the rotation. Their elite closer (Neftali Feliz) might be a starter but ... More >>

Whitt's End: 2.25.11

Whether you've reached the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *I still don't fully understand Michael Young leaving Rangers spring training for two days. The team announced it was a "family matter." Manager Ron Washington said Young "has a family thin ... More >>

Making the Best of a Bad Situation: What Texas Should Do to Resolve Michael Young Mess

Photos by Sam Merten​Even before Michael Young demanded to be traded, the likelihood that he'd swap uniforms before the expiration of his contract in 2013 seemed like a long shot at best. Despite a résumé that includes six All-Star nods, a batting title, an (undeserving) Gold Glove and five cons ... More >>

Michael Young Acting Like a Professional. And a First Baseman.

​We knew Michael Young would show up to Texas Rangers' spring training on time. We were pretty sure that he'd address the media and his teammates and act professional, saying all the right things. But did we think he'd already be taking grounders and throws at first base? Young apparentl ... More >>

Texas Rangers Spring Training Clouded with Awkward Spat with Iconic Captain Michael Young.

Can Michael Young and Your Texas Rangers Reconcile This Mess?

​When one party wants out, relationships are difficult to salvage. For now, Michael Young wants a divorce and the Texas Rangers are desperately seeking a lawyer to foster the proceedings. But what if it can't happen before next weekend and Young reports to Surprise, Arizona for spring trainin ... More >>

Rangers' Stud Re-Signing With Texas: Not Michael Young, the Other One. Josh Hamilton.

​While the Texas Rangers seem dead-set on trading franchise icon Michael Young, fears about Josh Hamilton leaving were subdued today when the team announced a two-year contract through 2012 with the American League MVP. The deal - worth $24 million - allows both sides to avoid heading to arbi ... More >>

Michael Young Wants Out and I Don't Blame Him

​He's been the face of the franchise for a decade, the team spokesman who was left to explain a lot of  horrible Texas Rangers' baseball. He's been a batting champ, an All-Star Game MVP and a Gold Glove fielder with a sparkling image. He's moved from second to short to third to, now, ... More >>

Josh Hamilton Says Dealing Michael Young Doesn't Make Sense; Nolan Ryan and Jon Daniels Confirm He's Requested a Trade

Photos by Sam MertenJosh Hamilton says trading Michael Young would be "a big loss."​As workers cleaned up the aftermath of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium across the street from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, the Texas Rangers equipment truck headed out this afternoon to the team's spring traini ... More >>

Texas Rangers Swear They're Not Trading Michael Young

​Wanted answers as to yesterday's item about where Michael Young might fit into the Texas Rangers' plan in the wake of the recent acquisitions of Adrian Beltre and Mike Napoli. Young is slated for utility infielder duty, maybe some first base and, of course, DH. But he says DHing is ... More >>

Not Sure I Get the Texas Rangers' Latest Trade ... For Another Catcher

Adios, Frankie​A week after Texas Rangers team president Nolan Ryan said he's happy with the team and that his roster is set for spring training, his franchise made a trade yesterday. One I don't quite grasp. The Rangers sent reliever Frankie Francisco to the Toronto Blue Jays for veteran c ... More >>

The Dallas Stars are struggling to be noticed- despite a winning record.

Cowboys, Mavs, Rangers, Stars All Searching for Help in 2011

​Texas Rangers - Jim Thome. The left-handed slugging free agent would, I assume, join Michael Young for a righty-lefty platoon designated hitter. I know Thome is a sexy name with some pop left in his bat, just not real sure where he fits in. Dallas Mavericks - Dirk Nowitzki. The signing ... More >>

Thumbs Up: Adrian Beltre Makes the Texas Rangers Better

​The race is on today. Which big announcement/press conference will arrive first: The Dallas Cowboys hiring Jason Garrett or the Texas Rangers signing Adrian Beltre? Let's go with Beltre, as the free-agent third baseman and agent Scott Boras arrived in town last night and agreed to a fiv ... More >>

Yo, Adrian! Rangers Officially Ink Beltre to Six-Year, $96 Million Contract

Photos by Sam MertenJon Daniels, Adrian Beltre, Ron Washington and Scott Boras celebrate Beltre's new contract. Nolan Ryan, Chuck Greenberg and Thad Levine were also on hand for the occasion.​As we speculated on the night Cliff Lee agreed to his contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, the Tex ... More >>

Michael Young OK With Moving Again. But Where?

​Your Texas Rangers whiffed on Cliff Lee and Zack Greinke, instead settling for Brandon Webb and Arthur Rhodes. I don't mind the signing of Webb because he's another low-risk, high-reward guy. He only costs $3 million, and what if he - 18 months after a reconstructive shoulder surgery - retur ... More >>

Rangers and Yanks Both Lose Cliff Lee Sweepstakes as Southpaw Heads Back to Philly

Sam MertenThanks for the memories, Cliff.​After much procrastination, former Texas Rangers ace Cliff Lee has decided to return to the Philadelphia Phillies, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, with Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweeting that the deal is for five years and approximately $ ... More >>

Rangers Considering Trading Michael Young, Because No One - Almost - is Untouchable

​The Texas Rangers aren't pro-actively shopping Michael Young. They're simply listening when other teams call to talk about him. We can't have a problem with this, can we? As I noted occasionally in the playoffs, Young's limited mobility at third was on the verge of making him a defensive lia ... More >>

Euless Man Says Whataburger Fired Him For Marrying A Black Woman

​In a federal lawsuit filed last month in the Northern District Court of Texas, a Euless man and 10-year employee of Whataburger claims he was wrongfully terminated for marrying an African-American woman. Court documents say Michael Young was warned that Whataburger management was "old school" and ... More >>

Game 2 - Rangers 6, Rays 0: My Top 10 Observations

​10. I know the Rangers banged two more homers and generally roped the ball around the park, but I think Josh Hamilton set the tenor with his back-to-back superb catches -- one diving -- in the second inning. 9. As expected, Tampa starter James Shields was, well, James Shields. In the third i ... More >>

Rangers 4, Twins 3: My Top 10 Observations

​Live from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington ... 10. News of Vladimir Guerrero's imminent demise were, in retrospect, premature. His sixth-inning homer to left gave the Rangers their fourth consecutive win - another playoff-esque, 4-3 triumph over the Minnesota Twins - and dwindled thei ... More >>

Rays 24, Rangers 11: My Top 10 Observations

​10. Gawd, that was ugly. A three-game sweep - including an 8-6 loss Wednesday - at one of the best teams in baseball isn't that big of a deal when your injury-riddled lineup looks like the JV, but still ... that looked like the same ol' Rangers of shitty years gone by. I realize it will ... More >>

Sock It To The Sox

Fab 50: Half A Hundred Power Brokers Who Shape Our Local Sports Scene.

An All-Star Game Tradition: The Rangers Make 'Fake-Baseball' News

​The Texas Rangers are frequently at their very best when real baseball is not being played. Last night's All-Star Game in Anaheim isn't "real baseball.'' In a sport where nothing much ever changes (I swear some of the Lords of Baseball would just as soon not have bothered getting the flannel u ... More >>

The Top 10 Greatest Players in the History of Your Texas Rangers

​If you watched Sunday's 7-2 win in Milwaukee, you'd think Texas Rangers pitcher Colby Lewis (two hits, including a key two-run single) is a better hitter than first baseman Justin Smoak (0-5 with five strikeouts). If you've been watching forever, you're convinced it's time to ... More >>

Eric Foster, Guy Behind the DFW Most Powerful List, Says He's Only Getting Started

So, Eric, do tell: How do three Texas Rangers rank as more powerful than Rangers president and would-be co-owner Nolan Ryan?​Earlier this afternoon I got a call from a phone number beginning with the 903 area code -- and, hey, we were just speaking of first thing this morning. Sure enough, the man ... More >>

The Top 10 Most Underrated Players in the History of Dallas-Fort Worth

​Michael Young is crushing the ball. That's nothing new. He's also playing flawlessly in the field. Again, nothing new. And last night he sparked a Texas Rangers' 4-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles with first his bat, then his hustle. Want something else not so new? We underappreciate him ... More >>

This is the Problem I Have With Rangers' Manager Ron Washington

​I like Ron Washington. Really do. I don't necessarily trust his relentless optimism about everything and I lost a lot of respect for him for using cocaine in the middle of last season, but I like him. There is a part of him, however, that I don't like. His in-game decisions as a basebal ... More >>

Everything Old is New Again in Arlington, On the Brink of a New Rangers Season

Patrick MichelsMichael Young takes a few cuts before Friday night's exhibition.​For the first time since fall, the smell of hot dogs on the grills overtook the Ballpark in Arlington Friday afternoon, as the stadium came rumbled back to life for an evening exhibition against the Royals -- ... More >>

Knee-Jerk Gun Buying, Pig Organs and a Bogus Gold Glove

Home On the Rangers

The Arlington boys take on Seattle

Everybody's Getting Birthday Presents Today!