From Draft Pick to ALCS, Astros’ Dana Brown Miraculously Faces off Against Rangers GM He Drafted 23 Years Ago

What most scouts wouldn’t do, the general manager of Houston Astros did. As history goes, he traveled to the Northeast in the spring of 2000 to observe amateur players. While doing so he scouted a few one of which has become the subject of intrigue. This was a pitcher from Princeton in particular, but somehow he could not have the team onboard him. Well, this was the story of over two decades ago. Just like how sometimes the flowers arrange themselves, fate had their paths cross again, this time only more interestingly. 

This man was none other than whom we know the Texas Rangers general manager. Back then he was a 6-foot-10 and played two different sports. Though he toggled between basketball and baseball, he had a flair for the latter. He knew certain nuances that deserved the eye of the big folks. No wonder Dana Brown was the one to notice that. 

The Texas Rangers’ GM Had A Flair For Baseball that Only Few Recognized

Chris Young knew about extensions and had a strong opinion about it. He observed and understood its relevance. Before baseball ever recognized extension as a characteristic, the now 43-year-old perfected it and Brown observed it. Since it was not in the interest of the masses, especially the Pittsburgh organization, Brown took a step further. It was evident that the pitcher’s walking pace was rapidly catching up to batters. With that, the 56-year-old sent Pittsburgh’s scouting director, Mickey White, to Princeton so he could dive into it firsthand. 

In the words of Brown himself, “Not many (area) scouts brought their scouting director in, but I brought my scouting director in. I was like ‘Hey, this guy doesn’t throw hard, but he gets outs and hitters don’t square him up.’ I think some of the local scouts were like, ‘Man, you brought your scouting director in to see this guy?’” It appeared to be not a well-received gesture. 

Long story short, Twenty-three years after their initial meeting, Brown and Young are responsible for both finalists in the American League Championship Series. As of today, they are both strong contenders for the Commissioner’s Trophy. It’s noteworthy to hear the Rangers’ GM side of the story. 

Chris Young and Dana Brown Experience A full Circle Moment

What are the odds of finding a great player from an institution dominant in education more than sports? He said, “Certainly I was a little bit of a big fish in a small pond. Ivy League is not maybe a traditional place to find major-league players. But obviously Dana saw something he believed in and I’m grateful that he did.” It worked out well for him anyway, the victory against the Baltimore Orioles in Game 3 of the ALDS is proof. Chris Young celebrates this win and braces for the upcoming game against the ‘The Stars’. 

Read More: In the Lone Star State Battle, Will Texas Rangers Avenge Mighty Houston Astros’ Final-Second Division Steal?

Since that moment 23 years ago when their paths crossed, along the way, the 14th GM for the Astros and the 13th GM for the Rangers both have won a World Series. The former in 2021 with the Atlanta Braves and the latter in 2015 with the Kansas City Royals.  However, there is something rather fascinating about the game of baseball – the way people unexpectedly meet and ultimately end up competing against one another.

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