Josh Rupe

shrinking violet — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 23:14:19 -0000

Anyone have any idea how he's doing? I haven't heard much about when he was due back.

Michael Young on the Official Site

shrinking violet — Thu, 04 Aug 2005 15:58:30 -0000

Mike Young is on the official site and he doesn't sound happy at all. I really think guys must be getting seriously frustrated now. I just hope that everyone in charge is having a listen and are making plans to address the problems in the off-season because I would hate to think that Young, Blalock and Tex would be sitting looking at other teams enviously as they waited on their contracts to expire because the management isn't showing ambition.

~~~~~~~~~~~

ARLINGTON -- The ever-present smile on the face of Rangers shortstop Michael Young disappears when the standings in the American League are discussed.

A 53-52 record after 105 games and sitting in third place behind the Angels and the A's has that type of effect on the All-Star.

"To be totally honest, I'm tired of not being one of those teams," he said. "It's my fifth year here and I want to be on the best team in the division. For five years, we have not been there and it is certainly disappointing, but it makes me that much hungrier. I'm tired of losing and I want this thing to turn around quickly. I want it to be with the guys in here."

The Rangers came into Wednesday's game on a two-game losing streak and a 7-12 stretch since the All-Star break. On the last day of May, the club was 10 games over the .500 mark, but the Rangers eventually fell from 1 1/2 games behind the Angels in the standings to 8 1/2 during a stretch from June 20 to June 28.

The Rangers entered Wednesday's game 7 1/2 games behind the Angels.

"Obviously, we have some holes we have to fill, or we would be in first place," Young said. "We have to get better. It comes down to every guy looking at themselves and seeing how we can get better, from veterans to rookies. There are no excuses. We have to find a way to get it done."

For his part, Young ranks third in the American League with a .327 batting average and second in the Major Leagues with 143 hits entering Wednesday's game. In the 67 games since May 13, the shortstop hit .370 to raise his average from .243.

"I felt fine earlier in the year, but I wasn't as consistent with my approach as I like to be," he said. "I was pulling off some pitches and not using the whole field. I have not made any mechanical adjustments. For me, hitting is 100-percent mental. I make some occasional physical adjustments but I never have any major overhauls. I stick with what works for me."

Young appreciates the attention but does not want to make too much of a fuss about his current statistics. He has other things on his mind, like catching the Angels and the A's.

"At the end of the season, [statistics] mean something," Young said. "Right now, [they mean] nothing. Seasons are judged from start to finish and how your team performs."

SB Nation User Blog: shrinking violet

Josh Rupe

Michael Young on the Official Site