Rangers honored to be part of Civil Rights Game

CHICAGO -- Saturday's game against the White Sox will be Major League Baseball's seventh annual Civil Rights Game, the highlight of a weekend tribute to all of those who fought on and off the field for equal rights for all Americans.

The 2013 Civil Rights Game will air nationally on MLB Network, locally on Comcast Sportsnet in Chicago and on FOX Sports Southwest in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.

Rangers outfielder Alex Rios said the game is special for players, especially because they represent -- and are accustomed to -- different cultures. The Rangers, in particular, have players from nine different countries.

"We as ballplayers, we have a great deal of diversity," Rios said. "We have players from all kinds of places and races, and that helped us be where we are right now. It brings some diversity together and it's good to be a part of it."

The MLB Beacon Awards Luncheon -- awarding individuals whose lives have been emblematic of the spirit of the civil rights movement -- will be held Saturday afternoon. Rangers manager Ron Washington will attend part of the event before returning to U.S. Cellular Field for the evening's game.

"I'm excited, especially for all the guys who are going to be there," Washington said. "I know them all and it's going to be nice to just catch up."