Texas Rangers: Strange timeline, but Michael Young’s number is finally set to be retired

The Texas Rangers will retire the #10 on August 31, 2019 in honor of Michael Young. The decision is a no-brainer, though it should have been made long ago.

August 31, 2019: Michael Young’s #10 will be retired by the Texas Rangers. About dang time.

Young retired from Major League Baseball in 2014. He made his big league debut with the Rangers in 2000 and went on to spend the next 12 seasons in Texas. He is the franchise’s all-time leader in games played (1,823), hits (2,230), doubles (415), triples (55) and runs (1,085). He also ranks 10th in batting average (.301), 3rd in RBI (983) and 7th in home runs (177).

It’s not only his statistics that are indelible, but also his leadership. He was THE captain. His voice was the most respected in the clubhouse and he was the ultimate leader by example. He selflessly transitioned from shortstop to third base when a 20-year-old Elvis Andrus was ready to make his Texas Rangers debut. He became the greatest utility man ever when Adrian Beltre took over at third base two seasons later.

#10 showed up to play even when the Rangers were among the worst teams in the American League. He was front and center when the team made it to back-to-back World Series’ in 2010 and 2011. Seven-time All-Star, Gold Glove winner, batting title and an All-Star game MVP.

It’s been six years since he retired. While I take no issue with the amount of time it took the Rangers to retire his number, I do take issue with them retiring Adrian Beltre’s #29 first. That is absolutely no slight toward Beltre. What he did in a Texas Rangers uniform is unmatched, and the future Hall of Famer deserved a swift number retirement ceremony. But he didn’t deserve one before Michael Young.

Now, just over a week after Beltre’s ceremony, the club announces the date of Young’s ceremony. They gave four months of notice to Rangers’ nation when announcing the date of Beltre’s number retirement back in February. They’ve given two months of notice for Young’s. Young retired five years ago. Beltre retired seven months ago.

Young spent 13 years in a Texas uniform, which spanned just about his entire career. Beltre spent 8 years in Texas, less than half of his major league career.

I don’t enjoy looking this far into these mighty accomplishments, not only for the players but also the organization. Though, as a die-hard Michael Young fan, it simply annoys me. He would never admit any ill will. In fact, he handled his Tuesday press conference with class and gratitude — just as you would expect from a true pro like himself.

At the end of the day (on August 31st), the number 10 will be unveiled in the left field bleachers alongside #7 Ivan Rodriguez, #34 Nolan Ryan, #26 Johnny Oates, #29 Adrian Beltre and #42 Jackie Robinson. That’s what’s important. I suppose it doesn’t matter how it got there. What matters is that it’s there.

Whether the decision to retire the #10 was rushed or not, holding the ceremony at Globe Life Park/Ameriquest Field/Ballpark in Arlington is the right move. Michael Young owned that field longer than any other Texas Ranger. Congrats to the captain!