Rangers Can’t Contain Excitement to Play Home Opener Against Reds

Even though the Texas Rangers have already played six games on the road, there’s nothing quite like opening day at home.

Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung. | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

ARLINGTON, Texas — Josh Jung admitted that opening the season on the road was foreign to him. After all, he had opened at home each of his first three seasons in the league.

“It felt like a postseason game when we were playing on the road,” the Texas Rangers third baseman said on Friday. “Like it was game one, how they introduce the teams and the opposing crowd boos you.”

The reception at Globe Life Field on Friday should be far more to Jung’s liking, as the Rangers (4-2) host the Cincinnati Reds at 3:05 p.m.

Fresh off a 4-2 road trip, the Rangers get to experience their home opener. A few players and manager Skip Schumaker had different perspectives on it.

Rangers Talk Opening Day

Texas Rangers left fielder Brandon Nimmo. | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

For Schumaker it will be his first Rangers opening day on the field. Last year, as a special advisor to the front office, he was in a suite at Globe Life Field wearing a suit.

“I like this much better,” Schumaker said with a grin while sitting in the dugout.

The Rangers will get the same treatment they got in Philly, with the full roster announcement and players standing on the first base line. For Schumaker he’ll be looking for specific people as he stands for his first home game as manager.

“Selfishly, [I’ll be] looking for my mom, my wife, my kids and [think about] all the sacrifices they made for me to be in this spot and just grateful to have this opportunity,” he said. “I hope every player feels the same way.”

Outfielder Brandon Nimmo will experience Rangers opening day for the first time. He’s coming off a crisp road trip in which he batted .360 with one home run and four RBI.

He couldn’t wait.

“It’s going to be electric today,” Nimmo said. “I’m really excited to see what the atmosphere is like today. It should be a lot of fun. Opening day is always a good time and I’m looking forward to it.”

Joc Pederson is going through his second Rangers opening day. The veteran has opened the season with road trips before. But he said that doesn’t diminish what a home opening day is all about.

“This is our first home game and we’re all looking forward to it,” he said. “There’s a buzz and we’re excited.”

The series with the Reds ends on Sunday. Then, the Rangers host the AL West defending champion Seattle Mariners for three games starting on Monday.