Wilson: Texas Rangers’ Michael Young leads by example

Yea...but Harry Lauter of The Texas Rangers used to get like shot at and everything!

But there was Michael Young in the lineup just about every day when others might have taken their 15 days on the disabled list and not given the stint a second thought.

“That’s not the way I’m wired,” the Texas Rangers’ shortstop said. “Everyone loves to look at stats. I think they conveniently ignore some stats, like what’s under ‘G’ and ‘AB.’ ”

So, as the Rangers completed the 2008 regular season with a 7-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, a case could be made for Young to be their MVP.

Sure, others had better numbers. But the value of his leadership over the 155 games he played — many in pain — can’t be measured.

“He’s won a batting title and is a five-time All-Star,” left fielder Marlon Byrd said. “What he’s done this year has been the most impressive to me.”

..."I feel a sense of responsibility to my teammates. That’s just the way the game is supposed to be played,” said Young, who missed a sixth consecutive 200-hit season by 17. “I knew that even if I wasn’t at full strength, I could help just by my presence in the lineup.”