Rangers envision Young becoming their Jeter
Rangers envision Young becoming their Jeter
Evan Grant
Dallas Morning News
Mar. 4, 2007 12:00 AM
Derek Jeter is respected as the modern blueprint for a franchise player. He is a superb athlete, unfailingly competitive on the field, respected in the clubhouse and revered in the community.
And that's all the Texas Rangers expect from Michael Young.
In giving Young a five-year contract extension worth $80 million Friday, the club made it clear that he will be the beacon for the franchise and the brand. The extension, in concert with his current contract, will keep Young in Texas through 2013. Young is signed for $3.5 million this season, and the club has already exercised a $5 million option for 2008.
"I don't think we even need to say it," General Manager Jon Daniels said of similarities between Young and Jeter.
"The performance, their characteristics, they speak for themselves."
Since Young, 30, entered the league in 2001, his statistical profile has grown more and more similar to that of Jeter, 32. During the past four years, they've been almost identical.
They both have .316 batting averages, though Jeter has a sizable edge (.387 to .358) in on-base percentage. Young has better home run (74 to 66) and RBI (365 to 297) totals.
Last season, Young ranked as the No. 1 shortstop in baseball, just ahead of Jeter, according to the Elias Player Rankings.
The big difference, of course, is that Jeter has four World Series rings, though none of them since Young entered the league for good in 2001. Nevertheless, Jeter has been to the postseason every year this century; Young has never been.
"I hope there is a comparison to make because Derek has been a central figure for championship teams," Young said.
In 35 seasons in Texas, the Rangers have won one playoff game, and their mid-cities location makes them neither Dallas' nor Fort Worth's team.
Copyright © 2007, azcentral.com. All rights reserved.
Evan Grant
Dallas Morning News
Mar. 4, 2007 12:00 AM
Derek Jeter is respected as the modern blueprint for a franchise player. He is a superb athlete, unfailingly competitive on the field, respected in the clubhouse and revered in the community.
And that's all the Texas Rangers expect from Michael Young.
In giving Young a five-year contract extension worth $80 million Friday, the club made it clear that he will be the beacon for the franchise and the brand. The extension, in concert with his current contract, will keep Young in Texas through 2013. Young is signed for $3.5 million this season, and the club has already exercised a $5 million option for 2008.
"I don't think we even need to say it," General Manager Jon Daniels said of similarities between Young and Jeter.
"The performance, their characteristics, they speak for themselves."
Since Young, 30, entered the league in 2001, his statistical profile has grown more and more similar to that of Jeter, 32. During the past four years, they've been almost identical.
They both have .316 batting averages, though Jeter has a sizable edge (.387 to .358) in on-base percentage. Young has better home run (74 to 66) and RBI (365 to 297) totals.
Last season, Young ranked as the No. 1 shortstop in baseball, just ahead of Jeter, according to the Elias Player Rankings.
The big difference, of course, is that Jeter has four World Series rings, though none of them since Young entered the league for good in 2001. Nevertheless, Jeter has been to the postseason every year this century; Young has never been.
"I hope there is a comparison to make because Derek has been a central figure for championship teams," Young said.
In 35 seasons in Texas, the Rangers have won one playoff game, and their mid-cities location makes them neither Dallas' nor Fort Worth's team.
Copyright © 2007, azcentral.com. All rights reserved.
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