ARLINGTON -- Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels will receive the Jim Sundberg Community Achievement Award at the 2018 Dr Pepper Texas Rangers Award Dinner.
The dinner is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 19, at Gilley's Dallas. Tickets can be purchased at texasrangers.com/awards.
Hamels is being honored after he and his wife Heidi donated their 32,000-square foot home in Missouri to Camp Barnabas. The Hamels Foundation has a strong record for community-based service to education, providing financial assistance to schools and other education-based non-profits.
The Hamels underwrite all administrative expenses, so that 100 percent of funds raised through The Hamels Foundation go directly to supporting educational programs and projects. The Hamels have awarded more than $1.1 million in grant funds to schools throughout Philadelphia, over $400,000 in grants to schools in Missouri and another $100,000 in college scholarships.
Since joining the Texas Rangers in 2015, Hamels and his foundation have supported the Texas Rangers Youth Academy in Dallas by funding an educational classroom in the Globe Life Training Center, which was dedicated in December. Hamels has also given money to local, low-income schools to provide a new counseling center and physical education equipment.
Hamels' work extends globally -- to the African country of Malawi. The Hamels Foundation has built a 16-classroom primary school that will educate more than 650 students annually in the Mulanje District of Malawi.
Hamels also oversees Operation 35, a charitable ticket program honoring U.S. military veterans and their guests with Rangers game tickets, concession coupons, special T-shirts and the opportunity for a private meet and greet with him prior to the game.
Rangers sign catcher Ohlman with non-roster invite
The Rangers have signed free-agent catcher Mike Ohlman to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
Ohlman played in seven games for the Blue Jays last year with three hits in 13 at-bats. He spent most of the year at Triple-A Buffalo, where he hit .216 with 12 home runs, 38 RBIs, a .334 on-base percentage and a .401 slugging percentage.
Ohlman was an 11th-round Draft pick by the Orioles in 2009. He played in the Cardinals' organization before signing as a Minor League free agent with the Blue Jays last year. He can also play first base, if needed.
Rangers sign Cumpton
The Rangers have signed pitcher Brandon Cumpton to a Minor League contract. He has not been given an invitation to Spring Training, but he does have Major League experience.
Cumpton, a ninth-round pick out of Georgia Tech in 2010, pitched for the Pirates in 2014-15. He made 15 starts and seven relief appearances and was 5-5 with a 4.02 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. He missed '15-16 while recovering from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery. He pitched in 24 games in the Pirates' farm system last season before becoming a free agent.
Rangers beat
• The time for the Rangers' home opener against the Astros has been set for 2:35 p.m. CT on March 29. Night home games will again start at 7:05 p.m. this season with most day games beginning at 1:05 p.m. Sunday games will start at 2:05 p.m. There are some exceptions for television.
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• Infielder Ryan Brett and left-handed pitcher Brandon Mann have been signed to Minor League contracts. Brett was in the Rays organization last year and Mann was with the Athletics. Mann, 33, has 14 years of professional experience including two years in Japan but has not yet reached the Major Leagues.
• The Rangers have announced a news conference for Friday to announce a golf partnership with the city of Arlington. The Rangers are taking over sponsorship of the city of Arlington's renovated Chester W. Ditto Golf Course.