Star Swap! Watch Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks Stars Exchange Jerseys
Before Tuesday’s game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets, two of the biggest stars in Dallas-Fort Worth sports met and swapped jerseys.
Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis García showed up before the game at the American Airlines Center and met with Mavericks star Luka Dončić, who is dealing with a thumb strain. In spite of that, he was in the starting lineup against the Rockets.
The pair met, shook hands and then grabbed Sharpies to sign their jerseys for one another.
After the signing they swapped jerseys and posed for photos before Dončić got into uniform for the game.
García and the Rangers won the World Series in November, the first title in the franchise’s history. They became the last of the four major sports franchises in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to win a title. The Mavericks won the NBA Finals in 2011. The Dallas Stars won their Stanley Cup in 1999. The Dallas Cowboys have five Super Bowl titles.
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 game-winner in Game 1 of the World Series against Arizona.
Fitting that García was recognized on the arena scoreboard in a game against Houston.
But as popular as García and Dončić are in the Metroplex, a true local legend chimed in on the Rangers’ championship march. Basketball Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki, doing commentary on the Mavs broadcast, compared the Texas title to his own 12 years ago.
“We weren’t the clear-cut favorite obviously that year,” he said. “Kind of got hot at the right time and had some tough losses, fought through it, came back. Yeah, it reminded me a little bit of our run. I’m a little sentimental here and there, but it was incredible.
“I have to say when they lost all three home games to Houston, I though this is it. Then they go down there and beat them twice in [Game] 6 and 7. It was incredible. What a run. I’m so happy for them. Well deserved.”
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