Teixeira on the right track in Texas

11/17/2005
It has been quite an offseason for Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira, who is being saluted from all directions for his all-around play in 2005.
First, the Elias Sports Bureau crunched two-year numbers and tabbed Teixeira as the second-ranked player in Major League Baseball behind only Albert Pujols. Then Teixeira collected his second consecutive Silver Slugger award, followed by his first Gold Glove. And recently, Teixeira finished seventh in the American League Most Valuable Player balloting despite the fact that the Rangers slipped to a 79-83 record.
With Teixeira and shortstop Michael Young, who won an AL batting title and was 11th in the MVP balloting, the Rangers have two shining stars to lead the way. Teixeira's .301 batting average, 43 homers and 144 RBIs didn't really come as a surprise, based on the way he mashed the ball in the second half of 2004.
But for Teixeira to win a Gold Glove after making a conversion from third base to first base just a few years ago speaks volumes about his passion for becoming the best all-around ballplayer he can be.
Teixeira got the Gold Glove nod over smooth-fielding Angels first baseman Darin Erstad.
"I would have voted for Darin if I had a vote," Teixeira said. "He's a great defensive first baseman. He helps his team out in so many ways over there at first. So, to be able to unseat him as the Gold Glove winner is unexpected for me. And I can take a lot of pride in that."
From his time at the hot corner, Teixeira already knew how to range for a ground ball. At first base, he has applied himself to learn the footwork and overall techniques that are necessary to play great defense at that position.
"The easiest part about first base is catching a ground ball," Teixeira said. "The more difficult things about first base are working with your pitcher, working with your second baseman, making the plays around the bag. Not every throw is perfect. To be able to make a stretch or pick a ball out of the dirt can really be important factors for your team."
When the Rangers were talking with free agent first baseman Carlos Delgado last winter, Teixeira had expressed a willingness to move to a corner outfield spot if it meant Texas could improve its club. Those conversations don't come up any longer. With three arbitration seasons ahead of him before he could test free agency, the 25-year-old Teixeira is the Texas first baseman for the foreseeable future.
"My No. 1 goal playing baseball is to win," Teixeira said. "We were in a situation last year to maybe make our team better. I was willing to make a sacrifice to do that. But with what happened this year and the way I played defensively as well as offensively, I think I'm going to be a first baseman for the rest of my career."
Rangers general manager Jon Daniels has indicated that his busy offseason agenda will include conversations with Teixeira's agent, Scott Boras, about a possible long-term deal. While it has been Boras' general policy to have his top-tier clients test the free agent market, the Rangers have had control long enough to take their best shot at buying into Teixeira's arbitration years or seeking a deal that would lock in Teixeira through the bulk of his career.
In the meantime, the Rangers know they've got a first baseman who produces at the highest level both offensively and defensively and joins Young and some others as a leader in the Texas clubhouse.
"Michael Young is our team captain, whether he has a 'C' on his chest or not," Teixeira said. "I think Michael and I can both be leaders, as well as other players. I think it takes more than just one player to lead a team to a championship."

Source: http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/