For a particular story I am doing, I have been asking a number of Rangers about who their leader is. I have asked Manager Ron Washington and GM Jon Daniels who they look to when they need to impart a message to the team. The unanimous answer, on all fronts, has been one man: Michael Young.
This shouldn't come as a shock or surprise; but I will tell you it's impressive. He leads by example and does it vocally, as well. Pitcher C.J. Wilson might have said it best: "He's made so many sacrifices for the team. To keep his bat in the lineup and keep his different positions, win a gold glove at short, now he's playing 3rd. He can win a gold glove there you know."
Young's willingness to do whatever it takes and ability to excel at each attempt isn't lost on his teammates. "Everyone's going home and looking at himself in the mirror saying 'what can I do to push the team over the top?' Wilson added.
Why does that impress the hell out of me? Because for years I have asked just about every key player on every pro team in Dallas who the leader on his team was. EVERY, single player gave me a different answer or named a few guys. Some players (dallas mavericks) named the owner (mark cuban)! It's so refreshing to have a team that knows who that guy is. What's even more refreshing is to have a guy who's willing to put himself on the line to do it. Many players aren't brave enough to do that and for Young to do is a testament to his character.
Almost More Impressed by the Peeps
While I've been busy dissing the autograph flies at spring training, I must give huge kudos to the fans. They are a loyal bunch. I have asked Rangers execs asked if the number of fans is lower than in years' past given the economic climate. Overwhelmingly the answer is no. Fan turnout is impressive for a team not named the Cowboys, Yankees or Packers. There's something to be said for the loyal baseball fan. Even more impressive is the loyal Rangers fan. There have been some rough years in the Arlington.BTW, my personal favorite, The Cookie Lady, is in Surprise with her husband. I did a story with her years ago and received about two dozen cookies for my colleagues at the station. Here's hoping we see some of her sweets in the next few days! ;)
