ARLINGTON -- Three Rangers players took the time to spread a little cheer, and also deliver specialized hospital gowns, when they visited Medical City Children’s Hospital in Dallas on Friday morning.
These visits can be difficult given the circumstances, but Willie Calhoun, Brett Martin and Jose Trevino did it cheerfully when they chatted and played with some of the children at Medical City.
“It was cool,” Calhoun said. “To see what they go through really puts things in perspective. You can’t take anything for granted, you can’t take walking for granted. There are always people who have it so much worse. I’m happy that me, Jose and Brett were able to go in there and make them smile and play with them and see them have fun. It’s crazy to see what they have to go through.”
The specialized gowns are much brighter than the regular drab ones used at hospitals. The ones passed out by Trevino, Martin and Calhoun had the Rangers' logo on them. They were donated by the Starlight Children’s Foundation, which has been working to help seriously ill children since 1982.
“It was really good,” Trevino said. “Some of those kids, it has been two days since they have been there, some have been in there two years. You get to come out here and have fun and put a smile on their face. I have a little one of my own, and it’s tough to see kids hooked up to monitors. To be honest, they probably don’t know who I am, but I’m wearing a Rangers jersey and it brightens up their day.”
This is the second year that the Rangers have visited Medical City Children’s Hospital.
“It was awesome,” Martin said. “It was good to go in there and put some smiles on their faces. Definitely a good feeling. Walked into the playroom, played a couple of board games, started coloring with them a little bit -- a couple of them color better than I did, it has been a while for me. You could definitely tell it brightened up their day a little bit.”
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and the Rangers marked the occasion on Friday night. The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Treagin Caselman, 8, of Richland Hills, who was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma in April. The Rangers wore special ribbons and gold wristsbands during the game.
Rangers beat
• Right-hander Jose Leclerc recorded his 13th save on Thursday night, surpassing his total of 12 from last year. Leclerc is the first Rangers reliever to have at least 12 saves in two straight seasons since Joe Nathan in 2012-13.
• Right-hander Tim Dillard joined the Rangers this weekend after completing his season with Triple-A Nashville. Dillard is not being added to the active roster, but the Rangers wanted to show their appreciation for what he did in Nashville. Dillard threw 153 1/3 innings over 33 games (21 starts), the most by any pitcher in the Minor Leagues this season.
• Shortstop Elvis Andrus entered Friday with 299 career stolen bases, the most in Rangers history. He needs one more to become the fourth active player with 300.