Rangers honor mothers with pink
Andrus, Rios and Odor swing special bats on special day
ARLINGTON -- Mother's Day has different meanings for different people.
As J.P. Arencibia pointed out after the Rangers' 5-2 loss to the Red Sox in Sunday's series finale at Globe Life Park, a strained relationship with one's mother can render the holiday relatively insignificant. But that is anything but the case for Arencibia.
"Obviously everybody has [a mother]," said Arencibia, who went 1-for-3 in the defeat. "People may not talk to their mom. For me, it was the opposite. My parents divorced when I was young. She was kind of my everything. I wouldn't be standing where I am today and as strong as I am today if it wasn't for her."
Arencibia was one of several Rangers players, including shortstop Elvis Andrus, right fielder Alex Rios, designated hitter Mitch Moreland and second baseman Rougned Odor, who swung pink bats this Mother's Day. Rangers manager Ron Washington was one of many to be wearing pink wrist bands.
The base jewels and lineup cards were pink. Even the baseballs had pink stitches this Mother's Day.
Sheila Taylor, the Rangers' Honorary Bat Girl on Sunday, has twice been diagnosed with breast cancer and twice defeated breast cancer. Her mother-in-law died of breast cancer at the age of 46. She joined the players in wearing pink, even having a pink bat signed by a couple players.
"Pink is really my favorite color, so I guess you can say it kind of worked out," said Taylor. "Seeing everybody embrace this with the pink bats and the ribbons and pink everywhere, it lets us know we're not alone in this battle. We're not alone."
The pink memorabilia worn throughout Major League Baseball represented something different to everyone who wore it or watched them wear it. But, for many, it represented something profound.