We have a minor controversy in Dallas today, as the MLB has denied the Rangers request to have Dirk Nowitzki of the NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks throw out the first pitch of one of the World Series games in Dallas this weekend. The Rangers have had a shorter history than some of the other MLB teams, but they’ve had their share of misfits. Here are five people that the team should look to avoid having throw out the first pitch.
1) Juan Gonzalez. He was one of the Rangers stars in their powerhouse 1990’s teams. In his 13 year Rangers career, he had a .907 OPS, won a pair of MVP awards, and a team record 372 home runs. He was also on the Mitchell Report, and bombed miserably in stints with the Royals and Tigers, and should have been wrapped in bubble wrap during his career with all of the games he missed. But dammit, if Mark McGwire is going to be in the Cardinals dugout, the Rangers need a steroid abuser on the field too!
2) Chan Ho Park. Five years, over $60 million, paying him to get the hell out of town two months early, and a 5.79 ERA. The pinnacle of the Tom Hicks era in Arlington. Speaking of Hicks….
3) Tom Hicks. Ran the team into bankruptcy. Spent over $100 million on payroll in 2002 and 2003 for 143 wins in two seasons and a pair of last place finishes. Hicks’ first full season as sole Rangers owner was 1999 until the time he was forced out in mid-2010, the team finished in third or fourth place eight times. Well done, Mr Hicks!
4) Alex Rodriguez. If Park is the pinnacle of excess of the Tom Hicks era, then Rodriguez is the crown jewel. He came baseball’s first $200 million man, signing a ten year, $252 million deal following the 2000 season. You can’t blame A-Rod: he had a 1.011 OPS over his three seasons with the Rangers before they cut bait and dealt him to the Yankees for Alfonso Soriano. He’s not that beloved of a figure in Texas, due to the hideous team he was surrounded with. But hey, it’s not his fault that he was offered an insane amount of money.
5) Milton Bradley. Had the best year of his career with the Rangers, then whined and complained his way to a three year contract with the Cubs, who shipped him out of town. Some gratitude to a team that gave you over $5 million in guaranteed money after you played in less than 100 games in each of the previous three seasons. Take a bow, Milton.
