Player Initiatives & Programs

Shawn Armstrong partnered with Big League Impact to support the JR98 Foundation, pledging to donate $20 for every personal strikeout and $100 for each Texas Rangers win in 2025.

As part of Big League Impact’s Mission:318 service initiative, Armstrong made at least one charitable appearance during each of the Rangers’ road trips this season: The Frandsen in Baltimore, West Side Sports League in Chicago, Grace Centers of Hope in Detroit, Star of Hope in Houston, City Union Mission in Kansas City, Friendship Shelter in Los Angeles, My Starving Children in Minnesota, Midtown Hart in Sacramento, Mobilize Love in San Francisco, and Pike Market Food Bank in Seattle.

In June of 2025, Armstrong visited the Texas Rangers Youth Academy in conjunction with Lockheed Martin’s ‘Angles in the Outfield’ STEM Camp for student-athletes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. During this appearance, the 11-year Major League veteran and former physiology major at East Carolina University lectured students on his methodology for utilizing science and technology to improve his performance on the mound.

Evan Carter, a proud alumnus of Elizabethton High School in Elizabethton, Tennessee, has made significant contributions to his local community through the proceeds from his successful "Jesus Won" t-shirt sales. In partnership with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and Xtreme Apparel, Carter has raised over $150,000, distributing checks to the Elizabethton Cyclone Dugout Club for an indoor batting facility serving all of Carter County, as well as to Central Community Christian Church's ‘Central Cares’ outreach program, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Jeremiah School of Johnson City, and the town’s local animal shelter.

Carter's "Jesus Won" campaign has garnered widespread support from communities in both Texas and Tennessee, with additional items like hats and stickers also available for purchase. Fans can support Evan and his wife Kaylen’s community efforts by buying a Jesus Won E32 campaign item at jesuswonapparel.com, where proceeds benefit local nonprofits in their hometown.

During Hurricane Helene, the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation matched funds with Evan for relief efforts in his hometown through the Central Cares outreach program at his local church. Alongside Kaylen, Evan served as Grand Marshal of the 2024 Fort Worth Parade of Lights on November 24, 2024.

Evan and Kaylen were recently named honorary chairs of the annual Texas Rangers Toy Drive benefitting Mission Arlington/Mission Metroplex, which will be hosted at Globe Life Field on December 9, 2025. The yearly holiday celebration features player autograph sessions in exchange for toy donations, photo ops with Santa Claus, holiday music, and interactive activities for children and families.

Jacob deGrom helped underwrite the Legacy All-Star Baseball Project at the Rangers Youth Academy in the summer of 2024. The academy's fields are well-maintained, but the original grass field presents challenges due to Texas springs and summers, which can lead to rainouts or droughts. Jacob’s contribution funded the installation of turf on the full 60 x 90 field and stripes to accommodate three 12U games simultaneously.

This enhancement significantly improved the academy's ability to host 12U teams for games, programming, and practice. The field primarily serves Rangers Youth Academy programming, partner Mercy Street Youth League, and Dallas ISD games, greatly enhancing its overall impact on the community.

Since signing with the Rangers in December 2021, Jon Gray and his wife, Jacklyn, have been deeply involved in community initiatives. In 2022, Gray launched the #MissionGrayWolf22 program, inviting military groups to three Texas Rangers home games. He hosted 28 service members and their guests, providing complimentary parking, premium seats with a $25 food and beverage credit, and an exclusive meet-and-greet with Gray, which included a Q&A session, autographs, and group photos. The program successfully continued in 2023 and 2024, encapsulating over 25 nights and including groups from various military organizations, who also received custom “MissionGrayWolf22” caps as gifts. He even took the initiative on the road, visiting military personnel in cities like Atlanta, Boston, Anaheim, and Seattle. Over three years, Gray has hosted over 800 military personnel at 25 Rangers games, donating more than $76,500 to the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation to support the program.

The 2025 campaign welcomes both military personnel and first responders from organizations like TAPS, the Texas Wounded Warriors, and the Arlington Fire Department.

In addition to #MissionGrayWolf22, Gray donated $500 for each of his personal wins over the course of the 2023 and 2024 campaigns to the Adaptive Training Foundation, contributing a total of $7,000 and intends to carry that pledge into the 2025 season. In 2024, he also donated $10,000 to the All-Star Legacy Project to help underwrite a Battle Wagon for the Adaptive Training Foundation and contributed $500 to support “The Most Inclusive Workout” during the All-Star Game Community Activities.

Jon and Jacklyn have partnered with The Birthday Party Project, hosting children experiencing homelessness for birthday celebrations in luxury suites at Globe Life Field. Their donations to the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation covered suite costs, totaling $17,000. They also held a “Players Favorites” auction, raising $23,675 for the organization.

Over the last two seasons, Jon pledged $100 per strikeout to The Pawerful Rescue, donating $22,800 across that span. He and Jacklyn also spearheaded the 2023-24 Texas Rangers Pet Calendar, raising over $12,600 for the rescue, with sales for the 2024-2025 calendar nearing $20,000. The newest pet calendar is slated to sell beginning in August of 2025. Additionally, they adopted their ninth kitten and fostered four others.

Since joining the club in 2024, Jon and Jacklyn hosted the Texas Rangers Toy Drive each December, collecting over 2,200 toys for Mission Arlington/Mission Metroplex and benefiting over 16,000 families. Jacklyn also organized donations from Rangers families for toiletry bags, clothing, and household items for the same mission.

Gray participated in the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) PLAY campaign at Globe Life Field in 2023 and 2024, mentoring over 200 young players on pitching techniques and life skills.

In recognition of his efforts, Gray has served as a board member for the Taylor Hooton Foundation since 2023 and received several accolades, including the 2024 North American

Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame recognition, the 2023 Texas Rangers “Jim Sundberg” Community Achievement Award, the 2023 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award, and the 2024 Founding Forward George Washington Honor Medal Accolade. He was also nominated for the Phi Delta Theta Lou Gehrig Award and the MLB Roberto Clemente Award in 2022 and 2023.

In January of 2025, Josh Jung partnered with Major League Wiffle Ball to host the first annual ‘Backyard Battle’ wiffle ball tournament at Globe Life Field. The event featured roughly 80 youth wiffle ball teams from around the country and raised just over $10,000 for the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation and Miracle League, a non-profit which provides children and young adults with the opportunity to play baseball regardless of their abilities.

As part of the festivities, Jung and teammates Evan Carter, Adolis García, Jonah Heim, and Cody Bradford took the field in a friendly wiffle ball matchup against a team of Major League Wiffle Ball’s top players. The event also featured appearances by several Major League Baseball players, including Josh’s younger brother, Detroit Tigers infielder Jace Jung, and Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser.

Last spring, Josh and several minor league coaches participated in the Fantasy Camp for the Challenger League, hosted by the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. This special event welcomed fifty children with challenges to DreamCatcher Park during Spring Training, providing them with a memorable day of baseball and fun.

Furthering his commitment to community impact, Josh is also supporting the Miracle League through the Home Runs for a Miracle initiative, pledging a donation for every home run he hit during the 2025 season.

Corey Seager and his wife, Mady, have been dedicated to supporting North Texas youth through their community initiatives.

In 2025, Seager was selected as the Texas Rangers nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One, the annual recognition of a Major League player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions, both on and off the field.

After devastating floods severely impacted the Central Texas region during the summer of 2025, the Seagers made a significant financial donation to support relief and recovery efforts throughout the area.

Since 2024, Corey and Mady have hosted an annual "Uncorked for a Cause" charity wine event at the historic Adolphus Hotel in Dallas, which celebrates fine wine, food, and camaraderie. The summer-time reception features tastings from several Napa Valley and Sonoma wineries, along with silent and live auctions. In total, these events have raised over $130,000 in direct support for the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation.

Seager hosts multiple hitting clinics for athletes from the Texas Rangers Youth Academy throughout the year, working closely with members of the Rangers’ Major League coaching staff to provide participants with personalized instruction to enhance their batting skills.

At the conclusion of each clinic, Corey and Mady generously gift attendees a “Seager’s Squad” gear package, which includes Adidas bags, batting gloves, turf cleats, moisture-wicking t-shirts, water bottles, and powder blue Texas Rangers caps. In May of 2025, Seager hosted a special clinic for youth players from the Commissioner’s Team, continuing his commitment to growing the game and giving back to the next generation of athletes.

Since 2023, the Seagers have hosted an annual back-to-school shopping spree for 30 Arlington ISD students involved in the AISD Student Outreach Services program. They shop alongside families at Arlington’s Academy Sports & Outdoors, purchasing hundreds of dollars in apparel for middle and high school students. Teammates Jake Burger, Josh Jung, Wyatt Langford, Josh Smith, and their significant others have also attended the event, along with President of Baseball Operations Chris Young and his family.

In 2024, Seager collaborated with the Texas Rangers Baseball Rangers Foundation and MLB to revamp Arlington’s Senter Park, enhancing the dual-field facility for players and spectators. The new MLB & Texas Rangers All-Star Legacy Park now features the Corey Seager Batting Cages, which the Seagers donated all proceeds for. The batting cages are turfed, covered, and equipped with interior lighting to provide a much-needed warm-up area for players.

Throughout their time with the Rangers, the Seagers have routinely donated their Lexus Club tickets at Globe Life Field to the USO, Safe Haven, Medal of Honor, Texas Rangers Youth Academy coaching staff, and Uncorked for a Cause.

Throughout the season, Texas Rangers players and coaches sign free pre-game autographs, presented by Golden Chick, as part of Family Fun Tuesdays presented by Coca-Cola.

During select Tuesday home games at Globe Life Field, Rangers players and staff will sign autographs for kids ages 13 and under behind section 223 from 5:30 – 6 p.m.

For more information, visit rangers.com/familyfun

Family members of Texas Rangers players and staff have made a significant impact this season by hosting numerous fundraisers and contributing to the North Texas community:

• Each of the past two years, Texas Rangers families have hosted a popular “Mystery Ball Fundraiser,” raising more than $40,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the ALS Association of Texas. Fans enthusiastically joined in by purchasing grab bags filled with autographed baseballs signed by Texas Rangers Hall of Famers, current players, and former Major League stars.
• The 2025-26 Texas Rangers Pet Calendar, sponsored by Dogsters, features over a dozen players alongside their pets and adoptable dogs from The Pawerful Rescue in Royse City, Texas. Proceeds from this initiative raised just under $22,000 for the Dallas-Fort Worth area rescue organization.
• Family members of Texas Rangers players and staff held a ‘Players’ Favorites Baskets’ silent auction on September 5, 2025, which allowed fans to bid on baskets filled with autographed items and a selection of each player's favorite things. Proceeds from the event raised over $10,000 for The Birthday Party Project, an organization which provides birthday celebrations to underprivileged youth.
• Mady Seager, wife of Corey Seager, joined by Texas Rangers Families made a difference this season by partnering with the Prom Series for a fourth consecutive year to donate back-to-school clothing, accessories, and supplies for local teenage foster girls through the Closets at Hope. Seager organized a collection drive encouraging families to donate unused household items and clothing to Mission Arlington/Mission Metroplex.

Former Rangers third baseman Steve Buechele continues to be a visible and active figure in the Rangers’ community outreach efforts. In July 2024, Buechele joined fellow alum Dave Valle to unveil the Mission Arlington Medical Center expansion, one of several All-Star Legacy projects launched during MLB All-Star Week. Earlier that spring, he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at The AUsome Allen Foundation’s annual softball tournament, supporting the organization’s mission to provide financial assistance to children and adults with special needs.

In April 2023, Buechele teamed up with former teammate Mark McLemore to participate in C5 Texas’ student-led leadership summit. The nonprofit, which received one of the Rangers Foundation’s 50th Anniversary Legacy Grants in 2022, welcomed over 50 DFW-based students for a week-long experience focused on career exploration and personal development. Buechele shared insights from his professional journey and answered questions during interactive sessions with the students.

Buechele’s connection to youth programming has remained strong through his frequent visits to the Texas Rangers Youth Academy in West Dallas. In 2022, he joined the Rangers Nike RBI Takeover event during PLAY BALL Weekend, tossing the ceremonial first pitch and coaching one of the participating teams.

In April of 2025, former Rangers outfielder and Fort Worth native Michael Choice visited the Men’s Club at Mayberry Gardens Assisted Living in Grand Prairie, where he spent time swapping baseball stories and sharing laughs with senior residents.

The previous year, Choice helped launch Miracle League DFW’s Opening Day ceremonies, celebrating athletes of all abilities and reinforcing the league’s mission to create inclusive opportunities through baseball.

Former Rangers pitcher Yovani Gallardo took part in multiple community initiatives during MLB All-Star Week in 2024 and remained actively involved in similar efforts throughout the following year.

In August of 2025, Gallardo joined the Texas Rangers Foundation at Carter-Riverside High School for a Community Wellness event focused on promoting healthy habits and resources for local families. That same month, he partnered with fellow former Ranger Jose Guzman at the Mission Arlington Dental Clinic Day, where he signed autographs and met with families served by Mission Arlington Mission Metroplex.

The annual clinic provides free dental care to children identified by Mission Arlington as being in need of support ahead of the school year. Organized by United Concordia, the event brings together volunteer dentists and dental students to ensure kids are “school ready” with cleanings, checkups, and take-home dental kits. Gallardo’s presence helped elevate the experience for families and reinforced the Rangers’ commitment to community wellness and youth support.

In July of 2024, Gallardo attended the All-Star Mural Unveiling at Artes De La Rosa in Fort Worth, Texas. The mural features seven baseball players, ranging from T-ball to the major leagues, including Yovani himself. It celebrates the Latino community and highlights the journey of Latino and Latina baseball and softball players as they pursue their dreams.

That same month, Gallardo and country star Kane Brown also unveiled repairs and improvements at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Tarrant County. These upgrades included a refurbished sports court, a reorganized teen space featuring new STEAM work areas, and a renovated music studio donated by Brown.

Tom Grieve, a former outfielder, front office executive, and broadcaster with the Rangers, participated in various events surrounding the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation’s 50th Anniversary Legacy Grant Program in 2022. Grieve attended the press conference announcing the Legacy Grant Program, where he also assisted in a $5,000 check presentation to the Sam Houston High School baseball team. Grieve again participated in a press event and reception announcing the Legacy Grant Program’s five $100,000 recipients in 2023.

Former Rangers pitcher and Spanish radio broadcaster José Guzmán is actively involved in community outreach throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area and beyond.

In August of 2025, Guzmán joined fellow alum Yovani Gallardo at the Mission Arlington Dental Clinic Day, where he signed autographs and greeted families served by Mission Arlington Mission Metroplex. The annual event provides free dental care to children ahead of the school year, with volunteer dentists and dental students offering cleanings, checkups, and take-home dental kits.

Earlier in 2024, Guzmán attended the Dallas Youth Baseball Association’s Opening Day, where he threw out the ceremonial first pitch and offered words of encouragement to the next generation of youth baseball players.

In 2023, Guzmán traveled to Uvalde, Texas, alongside representatives from the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation and the Houston Astros Foundation. He participated in a community picnic held in conjunction with Major League Baseball’s announcement that proceeds from the Winter Meetings charity auction would help fund a new Boys & Girls Club in the area, following the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School.

Guzmán also took part in the 2022 PlayersTV Hispanic Heritage event in collaboration with Primos Dallas, a DFW-based organization focused on empowering Latino youth. During the event, Latino, Hispanic, and Mexican professional athletes from across the Metroplex, including Guzmán, mentored children and helped foster meaningful connections to support their personal and professional growth.

Former pitcher, coach and manager, Larry Hardy, made a guest appearance at Roanoke Elementary School for their annual Rangers Day. He delivered several presentations on what it means to be a Ranger, inspiring the students to work hard and pursue their dreams.

Major League Baseball and Texas Rangers Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins participated in the Children’s Cancer Fund’s 35th Anniversary Gala on April 11, 2025, serving as a celebrity escort for patient model Matthew during the event’s signature fashion show. The gala raises critical funds for pediatric cancer research and treatment programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and brings together athletes, celebrities, and supporters to honor young cancer patients.

In July of 2024, Jenkins served as the Grand Marshal for the 60th Anniversary Arlington Independence Day Parade. As the largest Independence Day parade in Texas, the event drew thousands of spectators to celebrate the theme “Home Run for Heroes,” which honored Arlington’s rich baseball history and spotlighted the city’s role as host of the 2024 MLB All-Star Game.

During the 2024 MLB All-Star Week, former Rangers player Mark McLemore served as a coach at the HBCU Classic, an event that showcases 50 of the top players from historically Black colleges and universities.

That same summer, McLemore participated in the Juneteenth Walk of Freedom in Dallas, Texas, joining his former teammate Darren Oliver and legendary activist Opal Lee to honor the significance of the holiday and promote unity and progress.

In 2023, McLemore teamed up with fellow Rangers alum Steve Buechele to support C5 Texas’ student-led leadership summit. The nonprofit, which received one of the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation’s 50th Anniversary Legacy Grants in 2022, welcomed over 50 DFW-based students for a week-long experience focused on career exploration and personal development.

McLemore also participated in the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation’s press event announcing the 50th Anniversary Legacy Grant Program and assisted in a $5,000 check presentation to the Sam Houston High School baseball team.

In 2022, McLemore coached a youth team at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy during the Rangers Nike RBI Takeover event in June. He was joined by fellow Rangers alum Steve Buechele, who coached the opposing team that season.

In 2024, former outfielder Kevin Mench threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Dallas Fire Department’s Box 4 Baseball Classic. This nonprofit organization consists of firefighters who compete against first responders from across the country to provide financial support for first responders and their families facing financial crises.

Mench joined local senior citizens during the 2024 Walk with a Doc event. The organization aims to inspire communities through movement and conversation.

Mench and pitcher Shawn Tolleson participated in the Most Inclusive Workout hosted by the Adaptive Training Foundation during 2024 MLB All-Star Week. Founded to support veterans and individuals with catastrophic injuries resulting in paralysis, amputation, or internal injuries, the Adaptive Training Foundation focuses on closing equity gaps and promoting inclusivity—values that align with MLB Together. The workout aimed to foster a welcoming environment for all participants.

In 2025, former Rangers outfielder and current team television broadcaster David Murphy participated in the United Heroes League Baseball Camp hosted by the Texas Rangers Foundation. Alongside fellow alums Logan Verrett and Phil Klein, Murphy helped lead instructional sessions for children whose parents are actively serving in the military. Using wiffle balls, the players taught kids how to swing, field, and throw, followed by a Q&A session that gave participants a chance to connect with their mentors and ask questions about the game.

The previous year, Murphy took part in United Way Reading Day, joining other local pro teams and athletes to promote literacy in schools. The event featured a high-energy pep rally and interactive reading sessions designed to inspire young students and emphasize the importance of education.

Former Rangers pitcher Darren Oliver hosts an annual end-of-the-year holiday party to assist families that have completed financial education courses by offering a helping hand as they work to break the poverty cycle and provide a better life for their children. Families from Arlington Urban Ministries that have completed the Thriving Families Program and Buckner International Families that have completed the Faith & Finance Classes receive invitations to celebrate the holidays with Darren and his family. Party guests receive dinner, gift cards for the children and adults, toys, and household essentials.

In 2024, Oliver joined former teammate Mark McLemore and legendary activist Opal Lee during her Juneteenth Walk of Freedom in Dallas, Texas.

Former Rangers catcher and National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez hosted an exclusive camp for Texas Rangers Youth Academy catchers in August of 2023. Athletes received instruction on improving their game behind the plate through group drills and one-on-one instruction from the 13-time Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner.

Pudge served as an Ambassador for the 2024 All-Star festivities in Arlington, where he opened the All-Star Village alongside former teammate David Valle and Miracle League youth players. He also participated in a panel discussion with Latino baseball legends and commemorated the 2024 All-Star Game with Rangers Hall of Famers.

Former Rangers pitcher Shawn Tolleson helped distribute complimentary school supplies to deserving children in Dallas at the Dallas Youth Sports Back to School Drive in July of 2025, contributing to efforts that ensure students are equipped for a successful academic year.

In 2024, Tolleson and Rangers Hall of Famer Jeff Russell attended the kickoff event for MLB All-Star Week at Klyde Warren Park in Dallas. The two engaged with children of all ages, offering encouragement and feedback as they took swings in the batting cages. That same week, Tolleson joined former Rangers outfielder Kevin Mench for the Most Inclusive Workout hosted by the Adaptive Training Foundation. The event, designed to support veterans and individuals facing catastrophic injuries, provided a welcoming space for all participants to connect and engage through movement and mentorship.

Earlier in 2023, Tolleson visited the Texas Rangers Youth Academy to lead a health and wellness presentation for athletes participating in the Dairy Max Baseball & Softball Factory showcase. Speaking to hopeful college recruits, he shared valuable lessons about caring for his body and maintaining peak performance as a professional athlete.

In July of 2024, former Rangers catcher Dave Valle and fellow alum Steve Buechele helped unveil the Mission Arlington Medical Center expansion as part of the All-Star Legacy projects during MLB All-Star Week.

Valle attended the opening ceremony of All-Star Village, joined by his former teammate Iván Rodríguez and children from the Miracle League. The opening ceremonies transitioned into the All-Star Miracle League game, uniting teams from North Texas that provide baseball opportunities and education for individuals with physical and mental disabilities.

Texas Rangers players, alumni, and the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation have continuously partnered to support Miracle League athletes throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex:

• On August 23, 2025 at Globe Life Field, the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation hosted a fantasy camp for physically and mentally disabled athletes from several Dallas-Fort Worth area Miracle League teams. Rangers players Jake Burger, Joc Pederson, and Hoby Milner participated in the event alongside club alumni Mike Adams, Steve Buechele, Jose Guzman, Mark Brandenburg, and Tim Crabtree. With the assistance of volunteers from the Texas Rangers Youth Academy, the Miracle League athletes got the chance to go through a series of baseball and softball drills on a big-league field and receive instruction from current and former Major League players.
• Texas Rangers alumni Mike Jeffcoat and Steve Buechele attended Miracle League DFW’s 2025 Fall Season Opening Day, offering encouragement and support to young athletes and their families.
• In the spring of 2025, Miracle League Arlington celebrated its 20^th anniversary with an Opening Day celebration attended by Rangers alumni Cole Hamels, Dwayne Vaughn, Bill Fahey, Mike Adams, Jim Kern and Jim Sundberg.

Throughout the 2025 season, over 40 former Texas Rangers players attended Friday and Saturday home games to participate in New Era Alumni Alley autograph sessions for Rangers fans of all ages.

Each year dozens of Texas Rangers alumni participate in the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation Golf Tournament, playing alongside community members and sponsors in the 18-hole charity golf event.

The Texas Rangers athletic training staff hosted its annual PBATS PLAY Campaign at Globe Life Field on August 8, 2025.

Over 100 youth baseball and softball players participated in this year’s event, where they were educated on the importance of living a healthy and active lifestyle and decision-making regarding performance-enhancing drugs.

PLAY, which stands for Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youth, is a national public awareness campaign of the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) in conjunction with the Taylor Hooton Foundation, Song of Charlie, and MLB Charities.

Head athletic trainer Matt Lucero, athletic trainers Jacob Newburn and Sean Fields, strength and conditioning coaches Logan Frandsen and Wade Lamont, as well as performance dietician Katie McInnis led the event.