Aside from Ian Kinsler, and maybe including him, there probably isn't a more polarizing figure in the Texas Rangers clubhouse than veteran "face of the franchise" Michael Young.
Ever since last year when Young demanded a trade in spring training due to his perceived cut in playing time before eventually sticking around and playing just as much as ever, and having a career year at the plate, Young has been hot and cold with Rangers fans.
This season, it's been a lot of cold, as Young is in the midst of his worst career season at the plate as he's basically become a groundball, singles hitter. It'd be OK if he were the No. 8 hitter, but manager Ron Washington, in his blind faith and loyalty, has kept him in the No. 6 spot in the order like clockwork.
With all that said, Young has had himself quite a series as the Rangers took three of four games in Kansas City thanks to some big hits from the veteran. Young homered in Monday's game, then again on Wednesday to give him a whopping grand total of six bombs on the year. In the top of the 10th inning on Thursday after Ian Kinsler led off the inning with a triple, then Young, who infuriatingly was hitting second in the lineup, came up big with a sacrifice fly to bring home Kinsler and give the Rangers the win, pushing them to 27 games over .500 for the first time this season.
Of course, Washington made the point to validate himself after the game.
“Michael Young has been grinding since Day 1,” Washington told reporters. “There’s no change in him. The only thing is, things are working now. I believe in Michael Young and I’m going to play Michael Young.”
So that settles it.
