Ross rejoices over Kentucky's Final Four run

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Rangers pitcher Robbie Ross is battling a cold and sore throat. But that hasn't kept him from rejoicing over the Kentucky Wildcats great run in the NCAA basketball tournament.

Ross is from Lexington, Ky. And a huge Wildcat fan. He had a baseball scholarship to Kentucky before being selected by the Rangers in the second round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. Ross didn't sign until Aug. 15, but said there was little doubt he was going to sign with the Rangers.

"It was not that close," Ross said. "I hadn't even started signing up for classes. They told me they wanted to sign some of the lower round guys and then they would get around to me and Justin Smoak."

Now Ross has a chance to win the Rangers annual college basketball pool. He turned in five different brackets and one had Kentucky going all the way. It's down to him and team photographer Kelly Gavin. If Kentucky wins on Monday, Ross takes the pool. Gavin wins if it's Connecticut.

"Tell Kelly Gavin she has no chance winning this bracket," Ross said.