The City of Brotherly Love has welcomed Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Michael Young with open arms. Young spent the first 13 years of his Major League Baseball career as a member of The Texas Rangers where he left as the franchise’s all-time leader in 11 offensive categories including games played (1,823), hits (2,230), and doubles (415). Young was a part of The Rangers back-to-back American League Championship teams in 2010 and 2011. Young also represented The Rangers seven times at The MLB All-Star Game. Young’s last few seasons with The Rangers were tough due to the disrespect that was brought upon him from The Rangers front office. Young was first moved from playing second base to shortstop in favor of Ian Kinsler. Young was then moved to third base in favor or Elvis Andrus. The trifecta came in 2011 when Young became a man without a position when Rangers general manager Jon Daniels signed Adrian Beltre to play third base. Young was still able to contribute as a designated hitter and a part-time infielder in 2011 as he led The Rangers in batting average (338), runs batted in (106), and hits (213). Daniels and Young both knew that Young was no longer in the future plans of The Rangers. After the 2012 season Young agreed to waive his no-trade clause and in the off-season he was traded to The Phillies.
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro welcomed Young with open arms as he has now joined a veteran infield consisting of two former National League MVP’s in first baseman Ryan Howard and shortstop Jimmy Rollins and a five-time All-Star in second baseman Chase Utley. All four players are in their mid-30’s so Young fits right into this group.
Through the first 30 games, Young leads The Phillies in batting average (.320), on-base percentage (.386), and hits (33). Young has given Phillies manager Charlie Manuel another luxury as he has put Young’s right-handed bat between left-handed hitters Utley and Howard to give the lineup more balance.
Young fits into that mold of players for The Phillies such as Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt. Young is not the home run threat that Schmidt was, but he has given The Phillies stability at third base and he leaves it all on the baseball diamond which is something that the fans in Philadelphia can appreciate.
Coming into this season I expected Young to have a good season and so far he has. Being that Young was basically run out of the town by The Rangers, he has landed on his feet in Philadelphia. There is something about an athlete that has been disrespected as it motivates that person. Young is feeling the love in Philadelphia and we are seeing the results on the field.
Source:Baseball-reference.com
Leave A Comment