Storied West Coast Club Joining Chase for Texas Rangers Free Agent Jordan Montgomery?
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Another potential suitor could be emerging for Texas Rangers free agent Jordan Montgomery.
Not long after serious smoke had the veteran left-hander linked to the Boston Red Sox, another high-profile club on the opposite coast could make sense for the postseason hero.
The San Francisco Giants, according to a pair of MLB insiders, should be in the running for Montgomery. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal said as much on a recent edition of “Foul Territory,” while MLB Network’s Jon Heyman projected Montgomery to sign with either the Giants, Red Sox, Chicago Cubs or Los Angeles Angels.
Recent injuries to the the projected Giants rotation make Montgomery an obvious target.
It also appears the Rangers are out of the mix despite the significant contributions Montgomery made to the franchise’s first World Series championship.
Clayton Kershaw Makes Decision for 2024
Looks like the Clayton Kershaw homecoming will have to wait. The three-time Cy Young winner won’t be joining the Texas Rangers … at least in 2024 after agreeing to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Multiple sources reported Tuesday that Kershaw has reached an agreement with the only MLB team he’s ever played for.
The Dallas native who makes his offseason home in the area has long said that if he were to ever leave the Dodgers, the Rangers would be his choice. That still may happen in the future, but Kershaw is staying in LA this season.
Signing with the Rangers would have been tricky, considering Kershaw is rehabbing from offseason left shoulder surgery and is expected to miss a considerable part of the season. The world champs already have starters Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle out for the first few months of the season.
Charley Pride Fellowship Accepting Internship Applicants
The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation is taking applications for its 2024 Charley Pride Fellowship Program.
The club is looking for five college students from diverse backgrounds to spend their summer working for the World Series champion Texas Rangers front office.
This is the fourth year for the internship program, which is a partnership between Roland Parrish and his Parrish Charitable Foundation and the Rangers Foundation.
The program was created in honor of the late country music star Charley Pride. Pride was a close friend to the Rangers organization.
The program aims to build a launching pad for students from diverse backgrounds looking to gain experience in a Major League Baseball front office.
“The interns from the Charley Pride Fellowship Program are beginning to make their presence known as they excel in the front offices of professional sports teams throughout the U.S. This is a 'Win–Win' for us all," Parrish said.
The Rangers Foundation will hire, train, and support the five fellows as they rotate through three front office departments, selected based on their interests. These students will gain valuable skills during this paid 10-week internship program that will benefit their future careers in sports or any other industry.
Texas Rangers Winter Caravan Hits Mansfield, North Richland Hills on Sunday
The World Series champion Texas Rangers’ 2024 Kroger Winter Caravan, presented by Coca-Cola, makes its next stops in Mansfield and North Richland Hills on Sunday.
First baseman Nathaniel Lowe, right-handed pitchers Dane Dunning and Grant Anderson, and left-handed pitcher Jake Latz are scheduled to participate in the Caravan stops.
The simultaneous stops will take place at area Kroger stores and feature autograph sessions from 1:30–3 p.m.
Dunning and Latz will sign at the Mansfield Kroger (3300 E. Broad Street, Mansfield, TX 76063) alongside the Commissioner’s Trophy, while Lowe and Anderson sign at the North Richland Hills Kroger (9150 N. Tarrant Parkway, North Richland Hills, TX 76182), which will feature photo opportunities with Rangers mascot Captain.
Winter Caravan schedule in Mansfield:
- 1:30 – 3 p.m.: Mansfield Kroger Dunning & Latz autograph session with Commissioner’s Trophy
Winter Caravan schedule in North Richland Hills:
- 1:30 – 3 p.m.: North Richland Hills Kroger Lowe & Anderson autograph session with Rangers Captain
Adrián Beltré Received 95.1% Of Hall of Fame Votes
Texas Rangers great Adrián Beltré was the leading vote-getter for the Baseball Hall of Fame and earned a spot to Cooperstown in his first year of eligibility, appearing on 95.1% (366 of 385) of the ballots. No other player received as much as 80%.
Beltre's percentage is the 17th highest in MLB history.
Candidates needed 289 votes to be elected. Full BBWAA ballot results:
Adrian Beltré: 366 votes, 95.1%
Todd Helton: 307 votes, 79.7%
Joe Mauer: 293 votes, 76.1%
Billy Wagner: 284 votes, 73.8%
Gary Sheffield: 246 votes, 63.9%
Andruw Jones: 237 votes, 61.6%
Carlos Beltrán: 220 votes, 57.1%
Alex Rodriguez: 134 votes, 34.8%
Manny Ramirez: 125 votes, 32.5%
Chase Utley: 111 votes, 28.8%
Omar Vizquel: 68 votes, 17.7%
Bobby Abreu: 57 votes, 14.8%
Jimmy Rollins: 57 votes, 14.8%
Andy Pettitte: 52 votes, 13.5%
Mark Buehrle: 32 votes, 8.3%
Francisco Rodriguez: 30 votes, 7.8%
Torii Hunter: 28 votes, 7.3%
David Wright: 24 votes, 6.2%
(Players receiving less than 5% drop off future ballots)
José Bautista: 6 votes, 1.6%
Victor Martinez: 6 votes, 1.6%
Bartolo Colon: 5 votes, 1.3%
Matt Holliday: 4 votes, 1%
Adrián González: 3 votes, 0.8%
Brandon Phillips: 1 vote, 0.3%
Jose Reyes: 0 votes, 0%
James Shields: 0 votes, 0%
How to Watch Hall of Fame Results
How to watch Hall of Fame announcement
Coverage of the 2024 BBWAA Hall of Fame announcement is exclusively on MLB Network beginning Tuesday at 3 p.m. CT. Hall of Fame president Josh Rawitch will reveal the results at 5 p.m.
Players on the ballot
This year’s BBWAA ballot includes 26 candidates. The returnees (2023 election percentage listed in parentheses) are: Bobby Abreu (15.4%), Carlos Beltrán (46.5%), Mark Buehrle (10.8%), Todd Helton (72.2%), Torii Hunter (6.9%), Andruw Jones (58.1%), Andy Pettitte (17%), Manny Ramirez (33.2%), Alex Rodriguez (35.7%), Francisco Rodriguez (10.8%), Jimmy Rollins (12.9%), Gary Sheffield (55%), Omar Vizquel (19.5%) and Billy Wagner (68.1%).
The first-timers are: José Bautista, Adrián Beltré, Bartolo Colon, Adrián González, Matt Holliday, Victor Martinez, Joe Mauer, Brandon Phillips, José Reyes, James Shields, Chase Utley and David Wright.
According to MLB.com, it should be a great day for Beltré:
Beltré, by far, has the best chance of being elected in this, his first year on the ballot. Among the public ballots that have been revealed in Ryan Thibodaux’s Hall of Fame ballot tracker, Beltré has received 99% of the vote.
Spring Training Report Days Set for Rangers
The Texas Rangers will open spring training with pitchers and catchers reporting on Feb. 14 to the club’s complex in Surprise, Ariz. The first full-squad workout for the World Series champions is Feb. 19.
MLB has released the reporting days for all 30 clubs in both the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues. In addition to the first workout dates, spring training photo dates were also announced with the Rangers falling on Feb. 20.
MLB is holding its annual Spring Training Media Days in Tampa on Feb. 15 and in Glendale, Ariz., on Feb. 20. More details will be announced in the near future.
The workout report days are subject to change.
Work for Rangers, Job Fair at Globe Life Field
The World Series champion Texas Rangers and their exclusive concessionaire Delaware North Sportservice are partnering to host a hiring event for 2024 seasonal positions at Globe Life Field and Choctaw Stadium.
The job fair will take place at Globe Life Field on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is open to any individual 16 years or older.
Those interested in 2024 seasonal positions are encouraged to attend the job fair to receive information on open positions, submit applications, and participate in on-site interviews and job screenings.
Seasonal positions open for 2024 Rangers games and non-baseball events include:
- Concierge
- Guest Services
- Parking
- Promotions
- Raffle Seller
- Security
- Ticket Office Assistant
- Tours
Free parking for the job fair will be available in Lots T and W on the east side of Globe Life Field and can be accessed from Stadium Drive. Applicants may enter the ballpark through the SeatGeek Southeast Entry. The event will be held in the Southeast Entry lobby area.
For more information or to apply for seasonal positions online, visit rangers.com/jobs.
Coach, Dog Escape Unharmed From House Fire
Texas Rangers bench coach Donnie Ecker escaped a house fire on Saturday.
Ecker posted his appreciation on social media to members of Dallas Fire-Rescue for their quick work extinguishing the one-alarm fire.
"Yesterday was one of those situations you never think will happen to you," Ecker wrote in a social media post on Sunday morning. "I may have lost the house, but they were able to isolate the fire and keep all the neighbors from harm. Truly remarkable to watch a group of men and women sprint into a home without any hesitation and do what needs to be done.”
The fire in the 8500 block of Ridgelea Street near Love Field was accidental and began in the chimney wall, according to a Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesperson, the Dallas Morning News reported.
"Dog is good, I'm good and everything else can be replaced," Ecker wrote on X.
Ecker, 37, has been with the Rangers since 2022. Along with bench coach duties, Ecker is the offensive coordinator for a club that led the American League in runs, batting average, home runs (tied with Twins), and on-base percentage en route to their first World Series title.
Texas Rangers Pitching Prospect Shows MLB Potential in Arizona Fall League
While the Texas Rangers haven’t had much luck when it comes to developing starting pitching, there is hope with the likes of Brock Porter, Jack Leiter, and Owen White being ranked among the system’s top eight prospects, per MLB.com.
But there’s another pitcher that doesn’t show up among the top 30 prospects that is turning heads. Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa was mentioned in David Laurila's Sunday Notes column at FanGraphs for his performance in the Arizona Fall League.
A scout told Laurila that Hoopii-Tuionetoa has an arm that makes you think, “OK, that guy is probably going to be in the big leagues.” The scout added this Hoopii-Tuionetoa's fastball “has got serious life.”
More from FanGraphs:
A 23-year-old right-hander whom the Texas Rangers took in the 30th round of the 2019 draft, Hoopii-Tuionetoa retired all three batters he faced in the Fall Stars Game, two via strikeout. All told, the Wailuku, Hawaii native made nine appearances in the AFL, logging 10 strikeouts and allowing just four hits over nine-and-two-thirds innings His regular-season numbers, which came primarily at the two A-Ball levels, included a 2.96 ERA and a 25.0% strikeout rate.
Rangers, Dunning Agree To One-Year Deal
Dane Dunning has agreed on a $3.325 million, one-year deal with the Texas Rangers, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
The right-hander went 12-7 in 35 games, including 26 starts in 2023. Dunning, who turned 29 last month, completed his fourth major league season, his third with the Rangers. He's expected to be part of the Opening Day rotation, with eventual starters Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Tyler Mahle all returning from surgery in June or July.
He shared the team lead in wins in 2023 with Nathan Eovaldi.
Texas Rangers Sign Three Veteran Pitchers To Minor League Deals
The Texas Rangers have yet to land a big-name reliever this winter, but they continue to build a deep roster of arms for spring training competition.
The latest arms to join the fray include three right-handers: Austin Pruitt, Shane Greene and Jonathan Holder. Each will compete for bullpen spots in major league camp.
Pruitt, 34, had a 2.98 ERA in 48.1 innings for Oakland in 2023. He pitched in 38 games, including six starts. In six major league seasons, Pruitt is 14-16 with six saves and a 4.47 ERA. Pruitt was born in Plano and attended Navarro Junior College and the University of Houston.
Holder, 30, has a 4.38 ERA in 172.2 innings for the New York Yankees from 2016-2020. He spent the past three seasons in the minors.
Greene, 35, is 24-29 with 67 saves and a 4.50 ERA in 10 major league seasons with five different clubs, most recently with the Chicago Cubs. He was an All-Star for the Detroit Tigers in 2019.
Jordan Montgomery Offered Free BBQ for Life to Sign with Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers are getting some help in their efforts to re-sign Jordan Montgomery from right down the street. Hurtado Barbecue is offering the free-agent pitcher, who starred during the World Series run, free barbecue for life.
Restaurant co-owner Brandon Hurtado personally made the pitch on social media to Montgomery.
“We want you back,” Hurtado said. “I know there is an opportunity for you to come back and pitch for the Rangers this season and if there’s any chance in the world, we know we’re just a barbecue restaurant, but we are the official barbecue restaurant of the Texas Rangers. We want you back. And if you do sign with the Rangers again this year, I’m going to sweeten the pot, I’m going to give you free barbecue for life. It’s not a joke. I’m dead serious. Jordan, you come back and pitch for the Rangers again this season, you’ll never pay for Hurtado Barbecue again.”
Of their two locations, the original is in downtown Arlington and less than two miles from Globe Life Field. The another is in Fort Worth.
Montgomery 'Prefers' to Sign With Rangers in Free Agency
While the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees appear to be top two suitors for Jordan Montgomery, the free-agent starting pitcher could be leaning in one direction.
And that would make the World Series champions quite happy.
Montgomery is reportedly keen on a return to the Rangers, according to a NJ.com’s Randy Miller. The Yankees, where Montgomery also previously pitched, have targeted the left-hander.
The person with knowledge of the Yankees’ thinking says Montgomery is the Yankees’ first choice to upgrade the rotation, but doubts a reunion will happen because Montgomery prefers to return to the Rangers after their first world championship in 2023. Montgomery was a key component in Texas’ run through the postseason, and bonded with his teammates there.
“I’m told that Montgomery’s first choice is the Rangers,” the person said. “He loves Texas. That’s really where he wants to go.”
The question is whether the Rangers have the financial resources to make that happen.
Scherzer Undergoes Surgery, Won't Start 2024 On Time
Texas Rangers starter Max Scherzer underwent surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back, which will delay his start to the 2024 season. General manager Chris Young said the club and Scherzer tried “multiple conservative treatments in pain management” before resorting to surgery, according to MLB.com.
The surgery will likely means that Scherzer won’t be ready to pitch until June or July.
The 39-year-old right-hander has dealt with several injuries, including his back and shoulder, since joining the Rangers before the trade deadline in a deal with the New York Mets. He made three postseason appearances before being shut down during the World Series with back trouble.
Former Rangers All-Star Announces Retirement After 2024
Former Texas Rangers centerpiece Shin-Soo Choo announced he'll retire after the 2024 season.
Choo, 41, played 16 seasons in the Majors, including the final seven with the Rangers. He was a very respected player in the Texas clubhouse.
He has played with the SSG Landers in the Korean Baseball Organizations since 2021. He batted .254 with 12 home runs, and 41 RBI in 2023.
He batted .260 with 114 homers and 355 RBI in seven seasons in Arlington and earned an All-Star selection in 2018. After coming up through the Seattle Mariners organization, Choo played seven seasons with the Cleveland before playing with Cincinnati in 2013. He signed as a free agent with the Rangers in December 2013.
Rangers Signing Reliever Jesus Tinoco
The Texas Rangers made another move to potentially address the bullpen by signing free-agent reliever Jesus Tinoco to a minor league deal, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman.
The Rangers have yet to officially announce the deal.
Tinoco, 28, pitched for Seibu in the NPB in 2023, logging 50 innings in 52 appearances. He struck out 43 and walked 22.
The right-handed Venezuelan was part of the Rangers organization in 2022, pitching for Triple-A Round Rock before a September callup. Tinoco posted a 2.18 ERA in 20 2/3 innings over 17 games. He notably gave up the American League-record 62nd home run to New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge late in the season.
Tinoco started his professional career in the Toronto Blue Jays organization before being traded to the Colorado Rockies in 2015. He’s also spent time with the Miami Marlins.
Newest Rangers Reliever Given Idea of 2024 Role
Though the Texas Rangers have yet to define bullpen roles for 2024, new reliever Kirby Yates has a general idea of what’s expected after signing a one-year contract with the World Series champions.
“They just mentioned back end of the bullpen and that would be that,” Kirby said during an appearance on MLB Network. “I think bullpen is always kind of a thing like you pitch yourself into a role, you pitch yourself out of roles. That’s just kind of the way it is.”
Whether that role is in the late in ballgames or the ninth inning remains to be seen.
Yates is excited about joining the “electric arms” in the Texas bullpen, specifically mentioning José Leclerc and Josh Sborz. And then there’s being managed by Bruce Bochy.
“Any chance you get to be part of a bullpen run by Boch, you take advantage of that,” Yates said. “I did.”
Charlie Brown, Snoopy Bobblehead Released
If you’re looking for that perfect gift for the Texas Rangers fan in your life, the Charlie Brown & Snoopy Peanuts 2023 World Series Champions Trophy Dual Bobblehead dropped Saturday morning from FOCO.
The bobblehead portrays Charlie Brown and Snoopy posing in the Rangers’ white gameday uniform, ready to celebrate the champs in style. Both Charlie Brown and Snoopy are shown holding bat and glove atop a thematic base that features a scoreboard, tree and fence accents to make it feel more like the ballpark.
The focal point of the bobblehead is the miniature championship trophy on top of the base. It’s limited to 144 units, retails for $90 and stands at 5 inches tall. It’s available, along with more Rangers collectibles, here at FOCO.com.
The Peanuts Charlie Brown & Snoopy Texas Rangers World Series Champions Bobblehead is now available at FOCO.com.
FOCO
Adolis Garcia Gets New York Love, Tied to Babe Ruth
Texas Rangers playoff hero Adolis García sure looked like Babe Ruth during the run to the World Series championship.
Now they will forever be linked.
García won the Babe Ruth Award as the 2023 postseason MVP, as voted on by the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
García hit .323 with eight homers with 22 RBI in 15 games as the Rangers won their first title by beating the Arizona Diamondbacks in five games.
He was the American League Championship Series MVP after helping the Rangers beating the Houston Astros in seven games. At one point, he hit home runs in five consecutive postseason games, including the walk-off homer in Game 1 of the World Series.
Rangers Insider Lists Potential Pitching Trade Targets
The Texas Rangers will be active in free agency. The World Series champions are constantly linked to the likes of Shohei Ohtani and Josh Hader, as well as bringing back Jordan Montgomery.
But as one club insider point out, the trade market is a definite route to improving the roster. Rangers radio broadcaster Jared Sandler of 105.3 The Fan said to keep an eye on certain starting pitchers during an appearance on NBC 5’s “Big Game Sunday.”
“They’ve got some depth in certain areas that might allow them to get creative, so if the numbers don’t make sense on some of these free agents at the top of the market, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Rangers in on maybe a guy like Corbin Burnes or someone like Dylan Cease or someone in that trade market,” Sandler told host Newy Scruggs. “What about a guy like Tyler Glasnow?”
Sander also addressed the Rangers’ depth, top prospect Wyatt Langford and a Dec. 3 event at Globe Life Field from The Sandlot Children's Charity. Check out the entire conversation on nbcdfw.com.
Yankees After Free Agent Jordan Montgomery
The Texas Rangers obviously want Jordan Montgomery back. The left-handed starter starred in the postseason, as the Rangers captured the first World Series championship in franchise history.
Montgomery is a priority for Texas in free agency. Just as he is for other clubs.
The New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals are mentioned often when it comes to pursuing Montgomery. He also previously pitched for both teams before coming to the Rangers. The Boston Red Sox have also met with Montgomery’s representation.
A recent report from Jon Heyman in the New York Post again reiterated the Yankees’ interest.
The Yankees have been particular about rotation targets, looking at Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jordan Montgomery but not some others.
There’s also a growing belief in the industry that Montgomery will return to Texas. But until his signature hits a contract, the speculation will continue.
Prospect Standing Out in Winter Ball
Baseball is slowing down in the USA, but the offseason isn’t without real games still going on. The Winter League are going strong, and the Texas Rangers are represented in those warm-weather countries that are hitting the diamond.
MLB.com recently posted a list of seven prospects standing out in winter ball. Cole Winn, the No. 28 prospect in the Rangers system, made the list for his standout play in Puerto Rico.
Winn made a name for himself in 2021 when he appeared in the All-Star SiriusXM Futures Game in the midst of a breakout season. He has been inconsistent the past two seasons, but he showed some flashes of his potential in 2023 with Triple-A Round Rock, twice taking home PCL Pitcher of the Week honors. So far in his first winter ball campaign, Winn has seven strikeouts in 10 innings – good for second on the club in punchouts.
Josh Jung Honored by Texas Tech
The victory lap for the Texas Rangers will likely continue right up to Spring Training, as the World Series champs enjoy their historic accomplishment at ports near and far.
Josh Jung is the latest to feel the love of Rangers fans, both long-time and adopted.
The third baseman visited his old stomping grounds on Saturday, getting introduced during the second half of Texas Tech’s football game against Central Florida at Jones AT&T Stadium.
It’s been an interesting offseason already for Jung, who starred on the Red Raiders baseball team from 2017-19. Despite an outstanding first season as the starting third baseman and an All-Star berth, Jung wasn’t a finalist for American League Rookie of Year or receive Gold Glove consideration.
GM Young Addresses Free Agent Kershaw
If there’s a team Clayton Kershaw would leave the Los Angeles Dodgers for, it’s the Texas Rangers.
The chance to pitch back home for the Dallas native has tugged at Kershaw for the past two offseasons. He’s a free agent again, but the circumstances are different for 2024.
Kershaw is coming off shoulder surgery and likely won’t be ready for the start of next season. When he comes back is currently uncertain, though the 35-year-old three-time Cy Young Award winner hopes to pitch “at some point next summer.”
Could the Rangers be a landing spot? Texas general manager Chris Young is neighbors with Kershaw in Dallas, and was asked about the left-hander during the recently completed general managers meetings in Scottsdale.
“I can’t speak about any specific free agent,” Young said, according to The Orange County Register. “But certainly, as a friend, I wish Clayton the best.”
The Dodgers certainly want Kershaw back.
“We are very respectful of Clayton and Ellen’s decision and giving them the time and space to make the best decision for their family,” Dodgers president Friedman told the Register. “But selfishly, we hope it’s to continue and finish his career in Dodger blue.”
FOCO Releases Semien, Seager Silver Slugger Bobbleheads
FOCO has released the Silver Slugger bobbleheads for Marcus Semien, Corey Seager and a commemorative Silver Slugger Team Award that was bestowed upon them as the American League’s best offensive team.
The Seager and Semien bobbles feature both sluggers in hitting poses holding a thematic silver bat. They stand atop a batting box themed base with their names displayed in front. The backboard of the bobblehead features the Louisville Silver Slugger logo, the team logo, and a plaque commemorating the details about the respective players’ award.
Each one is limited 123 units, retails for $75, and stands at 8 inches tall.
The Silver Slugger Team Award bobblehead is similar to the individual ones but feature both Semien and Seager on the same bobblehead. They stand atop a thematic Silver Slugger base with the team logo on the bottom of the base and plaques for each of the players on the back.
This one is limited to 96 units, retails for $100, and stands at 5 inches tall.
Order your Silver Slugger bobbleheads, as well as view more Texas Rangers collectibles, at FOCO.com.
Voting Open for All-MLB Team
The Texas Rangers have eight nominees for the fifth annual All-MLB Team were announced this week, meaning it’s time for fans to help select the winners.
Fans can vote once every 24 hours between now and 8 p.m. ET on Nov. 19. Winners will be announced on Dec. 16, with 50% of the vote coming from fans and 50% coming from a panel of experts. See here for more details about the All-MLB selection process, as well as a full list of nominees by position.
Most 2023 All-MLB nominees by team
10: Astros
9: Braves
8: Rangers
7: Rays
6: D-backs, Dodgers, Mariners, Orioles, Padres
Here’s the Rangers’ list: Aroldis Chapman, RP; Nathan Eovaldi, SP; Adolis García, OF; Jonah Heim, C; Josh Jung, 3B; Jordan Montgomery, SP; Corey Seager, SS; Marcus Semien, 2B.
World Series Trophy Coming to Fort Worth, Billy Bob's
After the Texas Rangers’ run to their first-ever World Series championship, team leaders are coming to Fort Worth to showcase the Commissioner’s Trophy to city leadership and receive a Key to the City from Fort Worth mayor Mattie Parker.
Event details
- The Thursday, Nov. 9, event is free and open to the public and will take place at iconic Billy Bob’s Texas (2520 Rodeo Plaza).
- A free show from Squeezebox Bandits starts at 12:30 p.m., followed by the brief presentation ceremony at 1:30 p.m.
- At the ceremony, representatives from the Texas Rangers organization will showcase the Commissioner’s Trophy and Fort Worth mayor Mattie Parker will present a Key to the City.
- Billy Bob’s Texas opens at 11 a.m. and the showroom opens at noon.
- Paid parking is available in several lots in the area.
The ceremony will be live-streamed on FWTV.
"This is a momentous occasion for Fort Worth, North Texas and all Texas Rangers fans," Parker said. "We are thrilled to host this event at Billy Bob’s in the iconic Fort Worth Stockyards and celebrate the team’s remarkable achievement. It’s an honor for our city to be a part of Texas Rangers history."
Seager, Semien Set Club First in MVP Voting
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager, second baseman Marcus Semien and manager Bruce Bochy are finalists for awards presented by the Baseball Writers Association of American (BBWAA), it was announced Monday in a televised special on MLB Network.
Seager and Semien join Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani as finalists for the 2023 American League Most Valuable Player Award. Bochy is a finalist for American League Manager of the Year. All voting was completed prior to the start of the 2023 postseason. The MVP award winner will be announced Nov. 16, while the manager award winner will be revealed Nov. 14.
The Rangers have never had two players finish in the top three in A.L. MVP voting, although the club has had two of the top five on three previous occasions: 1974 (Jeff Burroughs-1st; Fergie Jenkins-5th), 1999 (Iván Rodríguez-1st; Rafael Palmeiro-5th), and 2012 (Adrián Beltré-3rd; Josh Hamilton-5th). The last Texas player to win the MVP Award was Josh Hamilton in 2010.
Bruce Bochy last won Manager of the Year in 1996 with the San Diego Padres.
This will be just the fifth time in the last 24 years, beginning 2000, for a team to have two of the top three finishers in American League MVP voting. The others: 2021 Toronto Blue Jays (Vladimir Guerrero Jr.-2nd, Marcus Semien-3rd), 2009 New York Yankees (Mark Teixeira-2nd; Derek Jeter-3rd), 2008 Boston Red Sox (Dustin Pedroia-1st; Kevin Youkilis-3rd), and 2001 Seattle Mariners (Ichiro Suzuki-1st; Bret Boone-3rd).
No Texas player has been a finalist for one of the three BBWAA awards since Yu Darvish finished second in A.L. Cy Young Award voting in 2013. The last time any Ranger was a finalist for the A.L. MVP Award came in 2012 when Adrián Beltré (3rd) and Josh Hamilton (5th) were both among the five individuals tabbed in the initial year of the BBWAA announcing finalists.
Bochy’s only career Manager of the Year Award came with San Diego in 1996. He was a N.L. Manager of the Year finalist in both 2012, when he finished third behind Washington’s Davey Johnson and Cincinnati’s Dusty Baker, and 2014, when he was also third behind Washington’s Matt Williams and Pittsburgh’s Clint Hurdle. Bochy returned to the dugout in 2023 for his first season as Rangers manager, guiding Texas to the largest increase in regular season winning percentage from 2022-23 among MLB clubs. Bochy also secured his fourth career World Series title as a manager (also 2010-12-14 with San Francisco).
Seager was previously a finalist for National League MVP with the Dodgers in 2016, when he finished third in voting behind the Cubs’ Kris Bryant, who received 29 of 30 first place votes, and the Nationals’ Daniel Murphy. Seager slashed .327/.390/.623/1.013 (156-477) with 33 home runs, 42 doubles, and 96 RBI across 119 games in 2023. Despite missing 43 games due to a pair of stints on the Injured List, the World Series MVP still ranked among A.L. qualifiers this season in doubles (1st), batting average (2nd), OPS (2nd), slugging pct. (2nd), extra-base hits (T2nd, 75), on-base pct. (3rd), home runs (T5th), and RBI (T10th).
Semien is an American League MVP finalist for the third time, finishing third in both 2021, to the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani and Blue Jays teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and in 2019 to the Angels’ Mike Trout and Astros’ Alex Bregman. Semien batted .276/.348/.478/.826 (185-670) with 29 home runs, 4 triples, 29 doubles, 100 RBI, and 122 runs over 162 games this season. He ranked among American League leaders in hits (1st), runs (1st), plate appearances (1st, club-record 753), at-bats (1st, 670), times on base (2nd, 262), total bases (2nd, 320), doubles (3rd), and RBI (T4th). Including the postseason, Semien started each of the Rangers’ 179 games in 2023, setting Major League single-season records for games started and plate appearances (835).
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