Young re-signs with Rangers after flirting with Kings

Former Princeton two-sport star Chris Young '02 confirmed to The Daily Princetonian last night that he has signed a three-year contract extension with the Texas Rangers, with a club option for a fourth year.

Young said the Dallas Morning News' report that the deal with Rangers is worth $1.25 million was incorrect, but he declined to specify the true amount.

He also confirmed that the deal with the Rangers was accelerated by the Sacramento Kings' offer of a two year guaranteed contract. The Kings — who employ legendary former Princeton head basketball coach Pete Carill as an assistant — were in the market for a center after the departure of Vlade Divac to the Los Angeles Lakers, the 6-foot, 10-inch Young explained.

"They were looking for a big man familiar with the Princeton offense," he said. "Someone with my skills who plays the same way I played."

Although he called the Kings' offer "very enticing," he ultimately decided to stick with baseball for the time being, saying he assumes this ends any chance of NBA career "if things keep going well" with the Rangers. Young made his major-league debut in August, making seven starts during the Rangers' push for the postseason. He went 3-2 with an earned-run average of 4.71.

An All-Ivy League performer on both the baseball and basketball teams during his first two years at Princeton, Young signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates for a reported $1.65 million dollars after his sophomore season, forfeiting his remaining college eligibility. He also played in the Expos organization for a year before the Rangers acquired him in April.