The Major League Baseball Players Association has announced that Michael Young is the winner of the 2008 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award, presented to "the player in either league whose on-field performance and contributions to his community inspire others to higher levels of achievement."
Among the off-field ventures that Michael and his wife Cristina Barbosa-Young actively devote their time to is Wipe Out Kids' Cancer, a non-profit organization dedicated to the eradication of pediatric cancer through innovative research, education, and treatment, while providing hope to children affected by the disease through funding and various events.
In 2005, Michael helped fund the furnishing of an outpatient physical therapy room at Children's Medical Center, and in 2006, he began the Young Heroes Scholarship program, which annually awards cancer survivors with college scholarship funds and laptop computers. In 2007, Michael and Cristina took 25 children on a holiday shopping spree in conjunction with the Hotel Ministry, a branch of Mission Arlington.
Michael is the first Rangers player to win the award, which is in its 12th year and, notably, is based on the votes of his fellow Major League players. Derek Jeter and Albert Pujols were runners-up.
The Rangers will recognize Michael and Cristina at the club's Sluggers of the West Awards Dinner on Friday, January 23, at Eddie Deen's Ranch in Dallas. Josh Hamilton will be recognized at the event as the Rangers' Player of the Year.
Jamey
Dallas attorney Jamey Newberg has been commenting on Rangers from the big club down through the entire farm system since 1998.
Scott Lucas was born in Arlington, Texas, to Richard and Becky Lucas. He lived mostly in Arlington before moving to Austin, where he graduated from The University of Texas. Scott works for Austin Valuation Consultants, Ltd., and has published several boring articles about real estate appraisal and environmental contamination. He makes a swell margarita and refuses to run longer than ten kilometres.
Eleanor grew up watching the AAA Mudhens in Toledo, Ohio. A loyal Ranger fan since 1979, she works "behind the scenes" at the Newberg Report.
