When It Clicked: Rangers 3B Michael Young

It is baseball's daily repetition that sets it apart from other sports, and what makes it conducive to routine-freaks, who internalize that daily rhythm until it became an essential part of them. Michael Young, the Texas Rangers' five-time all-star and perennial hit-machine, counts himself among them, and he says it was understanding the importance of a good routine that made him into the player he is today.

"I'm never going to have this game figured out -- not even close to it. But I think early in my career, I kind of got used to a routine that allowed me to get as prepared as possible, to give me the best chance to succeed. And if something goes wrong, it gives me a foundation to get back to. And that's been the biggest thing for me.

"It puts your mind at ease. You know you're prepared. Once you're prepared, you just go out and play. You know if you have a good game, you were ready for it. And if things don't go your way, you know you put yourself in position to have a good game, so it makes it easier to come back the next day, make your adjustments and move on.

"When I come to the ballpark I pretty much do the same things every day. My thought process is consistent. If I have a tough stretch, I don't overadjust. I just trust myself and move on. I may not have the game figured out, but I have my routine figured out."