In Arlington, Texas, Bruce Bochy noticed Marcus Semien’s slump in late August, along with his team’s performance. The Rangers had lost nine out of ten games and fallen into second place. During that stretch, Semien had a lackluster batting average of .225.
As he recognized that Semien’s wife was nearing the end of her pregnancy with their fourth child, Bochy shared his concerns with his second baseman. Bochy said, “I thought maybe he was mentally exhausted, and it’s okay to take a day off.”
Semien appreciated Bochy’s concern, but assured him that he would let him know if he needed a break. However, they never discussed it again.
Fast forward to the 170th game of the season for the Rangers, including both regular and postseason matches. Semien was once again listed as the leadoff and second baseman for the team’s ALCS Game 3 against the Astros.
Bochy expressed his amazement, saying, “It’s a luxury not to worry about who is playing second base. In an age of load management, this doesn’t happen often.”
Load management, originally a helpful concept to monitor players’ performance, has become excessive. Many players have been conditioned to believe that playing daily is exhausting, leading to actual exhaustion. The Atlanta Braves’ success in the regular season can be attributed to their commitment to playing their best players as frequently as possible. Availability is a crucial factor in a player’s value, and it should be considered when measuring their overall contribution to the team.
The Rangers never have to worry about Semien’s availability. That’s one reason why GM Chris Young signed him to a seven-year, $175 million contract in 2021. Young knew that Semien’s work ethic would ensure he played as much as possible. He also believed that Semien would be a role model for younger players on the team.
Rangers GM Chris Young explained, “Semien sets a standard for our team. When young players see him playing through minor discomfort and still performing at a high level, it influences their mindset and dedication to the game. We have already witnessed the positive impact it has had on several players.”
Semien attributes his commitment to playing daily to Buddy Bell, his former farm director with the White Sox, who was a heavily-used third baseman in his day. When Semien joined the Chicago team, he admired players like Paul Konerko and Alexei Ramirez, who prioritized being on the field every day. Additionally, Semien acknowledges that the recent collective bargaining agreement includes more mandated rest days, which he considers sufficient.
He said, “I believe that I can contribute to the team’s success regardless of how I feel physically. Preparation and playing regularly are vital to me. I find that I improve as the season progresses when I play every day.”
That’s why Semien declined Bochy’s invitation to rest in late August. He believed that slumps are a natural part of the season and that overcoming them on the field is crucial. His performance improved after Bochy’s offer, resulting in an .891 OPS and helping the Rangers secure a playoff spot.
Furthermore, Semien’s consecutive-game streak reached 294 games, second only to Matt Olson’s 458 games among active players. Over the past four full seasons, Semien has played at least 161 games once and 162 games three times. Since 2018, he has played the most innings in the field among all players, surpassing even first baseman Freddie Freeman’s playing time. His durability and consistency make him a valuable asset to the Rangers.
One of the significant advantages of having Semien on the team is that the Rangers never have to worry about finding a backup second baseman.
Associate manager Will Venable highlighted this aspect, saying, “It’s like solving a puzzle every day. Having Semien as the leadoff-hitting second baseman eliminates one of the pieces we need to figure out. It’s a great way to start each game.”
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