NewsRangers going red for season opener
Texas breaking out alternate unis for first time since 2000
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
04/05/09 6:00 PM ET
ARLINGTON -- Harkening back to the division championship years of 1996 and 1998-99, the Rangers will be wearing red uniforms when they begin their 38th season in Texas on Monday against the Indians at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. A sellout crowd is expected for Opening Day. Former President George W. Bush is planning to be there to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, and the Rangers will be wearing red uniforms for the first time since 2000. Game time is 1:05 CT p.m. as the Rangers open the season at home for only the second time in nine seasons. The Rangers will be wearing red hats, jerseys, socks and batting helmets to go along with black belts and shoes and white pants. The Rangers wore red-style uniforms in 1994-2000 during the first eight years of the Ballpark's existence before switching back to blue. They will wear red for 16 home games this season. "I hope every person in the stands is wearing red," Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler said. "It would look so good ... so awesome ... to see a sea of red." The Rangers prepared for Opening Day with a 90-minute workout at the ballpark on Sunday. They also made their final roster moves. Third baseman Travis Metcalf was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Pitchers Eric Hurley and Joaquin Benoit, both of whom had offseason shoulder surgery, were placed on the 60-day disabled list and taken off the 40-man roster. Pitcher Derrick Turnbow and catcher Emerson Frostad were returned to Minor League camp. Catcher Adam Melhuse took his release and will retire. The Rangers also officially added pitchers Kris Benson, Eddie Guardado and Jason Jennings, infielders Elvis Andrus and Omar Vizquel and outfielder Andruw Jones to the roster by purchasing their Minor League contracts. The Rangers now have a full 40-man roster. Andrus will be making his Major League debut on Monday when he starts at shortstop. Six others will be experiencing Opening Day in a Major League uniform for the first time: pitchers Frank Francisco, Matt Harrison and Warner Madrigal, catchers Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Taylor Teagarden and first baseman Chris Davis. "It definitely feels special," Saltalamacchia said. "I worked my whole life to get to the big leagues and went through a lot of stuff the past few years. This is the most comfortable I've ever felt, but I think everybody is excited." Only standing room and obstructed-view seats remain. Parking lots open at 8 a.m. CT, and the gates open at 10 a.m. The Rangers have arranged to have the westbound HOV lane on I-30 from Dallas to be open at 11 a.m. It will be open eastbound to Dallas at 2:30 p.m. to help ease the postgame traffic. There will be a concert on the North Lawn by Roger Creager after the game to all fans who remain and wait for traffic to subside. The United States Fourth Army Infantry Division Band from Fort Hood will perform in pregame ceremonies as well as the Star-Spangled Banner. At the end of the national anthem, there will be a flyover of two B-1 Bombers from the Dyess Air Force Base. Major General Jeffery Hammond, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, will participate in the first-pitch ceremonies along with two other military heroes. Joining him will be First Sergent David McNerney of Houston, who won the Congressional Medal of Honor in Vietnam in 1968, and Navy Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell of Huntsville, who was awarded the Navy Cross during his service in Afghanistan. Former President Bush and Gov. Rick Perry will join in welcoming all three Texas heroes. The Rangers will take batting practice at 10:30 a.m. Afterward, manager Ron Washington plans to meet with his players one final time before the season begins. "It will be matter-of-fact," Washington said. "These guys know what they need to do. They don't need me to pump them up. They know what they've got to do. You can feel it in the clubhouse. All they need to know is myself and the coaches, we have their backs. We trust them. Now just go out and do it."T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
