When The Torch Is Passed!

January has come and gone as we now approach the Super Bowl weekend countdown in New Jersey.

One look at the calendar and I am reminded that this day we had birthdays for Jackie Robinson and for Dallas prodigy Ernie 'Let's Play Two!' Banks.

Nolan Ryan would celebrate his 67th birthday today and if you're a Dallas Cowboys fan you can look back and reflect on a convincing 52-17 victory enjoyed in Pasadena this day in 1993.

January 30th  it was announced that Michael Young announced his retirement from Major League Baseball after 14 years of play in Texas, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles.

The latter two for less than a year. When the competitive fires burn brightly within sometimes it's tough to decide when to walk away from a career and go on to the next chapter of one's life.

One look at Michael Young and he easily could play another two to three years. Knowing that he turned down multiple offers to be able to spend time with family says alot about the inner character of a ballplayer. To know when to walk away when every fiber of your being says to stay...

Courtesy of Cedric Bailey I was able to be a part of the press conference that went down at 4pm this day at the Ballpark. This in itself was actually kind of funny in that when he left in 2012 he said his goodbyes from a Dallas hotel and not at the Ballpark where he served for a solid 13 years. Dallas is still home for him, his wife Cristina, and sons Mateo, Emilio, and Antonio.

Michael spoke from the heart after pleasantries were shared by both an emotional Jon Daniels and Ron Washington.

"I played with two great organizations last year, and I had a blast, but my time in Texas was the 13 best years of my life," Young said. "I was very fortunate to be a part of an organization where one day didn't go by that I didn't feel valued. I felt it from everyone all the time. Even when we hit some bumps, I never felt I wasn't valued. There were always good intentions, and I'm very thankful for that."

Indeed he could have continued playing. However Michael felt it was time for a change.

"The Dodgers offered me a great role," he said. "At no point do I want to disrespect what the Dodgers offered. The way they defined my role, I would have been on the field a ton. I felt I had a spot where I could have racked up a lot of at-bats. But my family meant more to me.

"This was a better option for me. As much as I love baseball, I'm ready for the next chapter of my life. These boys are the driving reason why I am doing this. Everybody loves to talk about family, but you have to dig in and be there every day. When something goes wrong, I want to be the first one they see every day."

From 2000-2012 Michael Young would survive some tough, bleak times in the Millennium before making it to the World Series in 2010 and 2011. 2011 still causes a little bit of anxiety for him in hindsight.

"It still eats inside me a lot," he said. "I'm over it, but I'm not. I don't think about it much, but when I do, I get a sick feeling inside my stomach. In 2010 we just got outplayed. In 2011, I mean no disrespect to the Cardinals -- they have a great organization and I have a ton of respect for them -- but we were better."

Michael Young was sure thank everybody from the players to the coaches. Young was also quick to thanks the fans. 

"I can't say enough about them," he said. "They welcomed me with open arms and were behind me in good times and in bad. It was my honor to play in front of them every day. I owe this community everything."

About 20-30 fans made it to the Ballpark and stood with banners that said 'Thank You Michael' in Lot J where the players go underneath to park. Michael on his way out would take a moment to talk to those fans, get pictures, and autograph a few baseballs and jerseys on his way out.

Suffice to say Michael Young holds quite a few Rangers records that are likely to stand for a while.

"This is Michael's day, obviously, but we're proud and honored to be a small part of it, as he has a chance to retire as a Ranger," Daniels said. "We all know Michael's list of accomplishments. He was as accomplished, revered and respected as any player who has ever played in our organization."

Ron Washington summed up the retirement best as follows.

"You look up character in the dictionary, and there was Michael's face," Washington said. "He was a champion, no doubt about it. He was a champion in every way."

Emcee Steve Busby had the line of the day when saying, "I don't think anybody realized the lasting impression Esteban Loaiza would have on this organization."

For a decade I was able to watch Michael Young do his thing here in Arlington. As I chronicled in another entry he wasn't always wanted by the front office. All he did was show up and play. 

On a day we also say goodbye and thank you to David Stern in the NBA after 30 years of service it safe to say Michael Young picked the right day to say goodbye.

Michael Young will be back. At some point, and at some time Major League Baseball will call him back.

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will