Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. announced today that Major League Baseball has appointed longtime Major League pitcher Chris Young as Vice President, On-Field Operations, Initiatives & Strategy. Young will begin in the new capacity, under the direction of MLB Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre and reporting to Senior Vice President, On-Field Operations Peter Woodfork, this Monday.
Young will work with MLB's Baseball Operations and Umpiring Operations Departments on issues affecting play on the field, including the application of playing rules and regulations, on-field standards and discipline, pace of play and other special projects. Among his duties will be ensuring that ballpark and field alterations meet MLB standards; working on MLB's pace of play and game presentation initiatives; advising on on-field disciplinary issues; assisting with negotiations with umpires, players and Minor League Baseball; participating in issues regarding player safety, on-field equipment and wearable technology; and having a role in official scoring reviews submitted to MLB.
Commissioner Manfred said: "We are pleased to announce the hiring of Chris Young, who brings invaluable perspective to a number of areas that are significant to our game. His unique background and experience as a player will make Chris an asset to a wide variety of initiatives going forward."
Young said: "I am excited to continue my career in Major League Baseball in a new capacity. I look forward to working in the Baseball Operations Department and contributing to the advancement of the game. I will forever cherish the wonderful memories playing a game I love and I'm extremely grateful for the friendships of so many former teammates, coaches, staff members, front office executives, media members and many others with whom I have worked."
Young, who will turn 39 later this month, recently concluded a 13-year Major League career with the Texas Rangers (2004-05), the San Diego Padres (2006-10), the New York Mets (2011-12), the Seattle Mariners (2014) and the Kansas City Royals (2015-17). He participated in 2018 Spring Training with the Padres. The 6'10" right-hander posted a career 79-67 record with a 3.95 ERA. With the Padres, the Dallas native was a key part of the starting rotation in the Club's National League West-winning 2006 season, and he followed up by being named an NL All-Star in 2007, when he went 9-8 with a 3.12 ERA. In 2015, Young helped the Royals capture the World Series Championship with 15.2 innings pitched throughout the Postseason, including three innings of hitless relief and the win in their 14-inning victory over the Mets in Game One of the Fall Classic.  
Young received a degree in politics from Princeton University in 2002. At Princeton, Young became the Ivy League's first male athlete to earn Player of the Year honors in two different sports -- baseball and basketball -- and he wrote his senior thesis on the impact of the life of Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson on racial stereotypes.