Title: Chris Young: From Two-Sport Athlete to Baseball Executive
Subtitle: Texas Rangers’ General Manager Finds Inspiration in Hockey
Byline: [Author’s Name]
Date: [Date]
In a unique crossover between baseball and hockey, Chris Young, the executive vice president and general manager of the Texas Rangers, has found inspiration and knowledge from the Washington Capitals, thanks to his family ties to the team.
Young, a former 6-foot-10 right-handed pitcher who excelled in both baseball and basketball at Princeton, has always been known for his inquisitive nature. This curiosity led him to Capitals training camp a couple of years ago, where he sat in their war room and engaged in discussions about the interplay between analytics and scouting, as well as player contracts and assigning value to them.
“He just wants to know,” said Dick Patrick, the Washington Capitals’ longtime team president and Young’s father-in-law. “He’s the kind of guy that if he sat down with you, he’d probably be asking questions about how you go about your job.”
The connection between Young and the Capitals stems from his marriage to Elizabeth Patrick, the sister of Chris Patrick, the Capitals’ associate general manager. Young’s genuine interest in understanding how another sport conducts its business and evaluations led him to the Capitals’ doorstep, where he was welcomed with open arms.
“He wears more Caps stuff than Rangers stuff,” said Dick Patrick, highlighting Young’s passion for hockey.
The relationship between Young and the Patricks began at Princeton, where Young met Elizabeth, a midfielder on the Tigers’ soccer team. Chris Patrick, who played hockey at Princeton, recalls Young’s unexpected act of kindness when he offered to drive him to a famous Princeton hangout after a soccer game.
Their relationship blossomed, and Young faced a crucial decision during their sophomore year. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected him in the third round of the MLB draft, but signing with them meant giving up on his collegiate basketball career. Young used his leverage to continue playing both sports in college, while Liz pursued her academic and athletic career on schedule.
After graduating, Young embarked on a successful 13-year career as a pitcher in the MLB, playing for five different teams and winning a World Series with the Kansas City Royals in 2015. Along the way, he and Liz started a family, and when Young retired in 2017, it was clear that his future lay in baseball management.
“He had the skills,” said Chris Patrick. “The way he looked at players, talked about players, could manage people.”
Young’s journey in baseball operations began at the MLB offices, where he served as a senior vice president for on-field operations. However, in 2020, he received an unexpected offer from Jon Daniels, the president of baseball operations for the Texas Rangers, to become the team’s general manager.
Now, as the Rangers prepare to open the World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Young’s family, including the Patricks, has become avid supporters of the team. The unique blend of sports knowledge and understanding between the Youngs and the Patricks has created a supportive environment where they can learn from each other.
“There’s a mutual understanding that when you’re in these jobs, there’s a lot of noise out there from fans, from media, whatever,” said Chris Patrick. “Chris is good at understanding that both from his side with his team and our side with the Caps. He has a sympathetic ear.”
As Young continues to make his mark in the baseball world, his passion for learning and his family’s ties to the Capitals serve as a constant reminder of the interconnectedness of sports and the valuable lessons that can be gleaned from different disciplines.
Chris Young: From Baseball Pitcher to Baseball Executive
Former MLB Player Finds Success as General Manager of the Texas Rangers
By job description, training, and title, Chris Young is a baseball official: executive vice president and general manager of the Texas Rangers. But his background and recent developments make his journey even more fascinating.
Standing at an impressive 6-foot-10, Young was not only a talented baseball player but also excelled in basketball during his time at Princeton University. He had the potential to pursue a career in either sport professionally. However, his curiosity and inquisitive nature led him to explore other avenues.
Young’s interest in understanding how different sports conduct their business and make evaluations brought him to the Washington Capitals’ training camp a couple of years ago. Accompanied by his manager at the time, Chris Woodward, Young immersed himself in discussions about the interplay between analytics and scouting, player contracts, and assigning value to players.
This visit to the Capitals’ camp was not just a business discussion; it was also a family affair. Young’s father-in-law, Dick Patrick, is the longtime team president of the Washington Capitals, and his brother-in-law, Chris Patrick, is the team’s associate general manager. The Patricks welcomed Young’s curiosity and passion for learning about their sport.
Despite being deeply rooted in baseball as the general manager of the Texas Rangers, Young’s ties to the Capitals run deep. He is often seen wearing the red and blue of Washington, showing his unwavering support for the hockey team.
The connection between Young and the Patricks began during their time at Princeton. Young met Elizabeth Patrick, a midfielder on the Tigers’ soccer team, and their relationship blossomed. This alliance between a baseball executive and one of hockey’s royal families was born.
Young faced a crucial decision during his college years. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected him in the third round of the MLB draft in 2000, but Ivy League rules at the time prohibited him from playing collegiately if he signed a professional contract. Ultimately, Young chose to sign with the Pirates, leading to an unconventional academic path and an early start to his professional baseball career.
Over his 13-season career with five different teams, Young pitched in 271 games, became an All-Star with the San Diego Padres in 2007, and won a World Series with the Kansas City Royals in 2015. Alongside his baseball achievements, Young and Liz Patrick started a family, raising three children together.
When Young retired from playing after the 2017 season, it was clear that his future lay in baseball management. He joined the MLB offices as a senior vice president for on-field operations, where he played a significant role in shaping the game’s future.
However, Young’s journey took an unexpected turn when Jon Daniels, the former general manager of the Texas Rangers who had previously traded Young, offered him the chance to become the team’s new general manager. Young accepted the position and took charge of the Rangers’ baseball operations.
As the Rangers prepare to open the World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Young’s focus is solely on the games ahead. His dedication to his role and ability to filter out distractions have earned him the respect of his family and colleagues.
Chris Patrick, Young’s brother-in-law, acknowledges Young’s understanding of the challenges that come with their respective roles in sports management. They share a mutual understanding and provide support to each other, knowing the importance of believing in their own decisions amidst the noise from fans and media.
While Young’s attention is currently on the World Series, the Patricks, with their ties to the Capitals, have their own games to focus on. However, they can’t help but glance at the TV and cheer for Chris Young’s Rangers, proud of his accomplishments both on and off the field.
As Young continues to make his mark in the baseball world, his unique journey from player to executive serves as an inspiration to those who strive to excel in their chosen fields.