Hispanic Heritage Night …

Looking at the rosters across the league, you can argue every night in a Major League Ballpark is Hispanic Heritage Night … The Rangers official celebration was Saturday and there were more than a few highlights:

** Mexico baseball legends Angel Macias and Jose "Pepe" Maiz were recognized during the pre-game ceremony  and were the guests of honor during a brunch in Fort Worth on Saturday afternoon. Their baseball adventure started in 1957 as part of the first team outside of the U.S. to win the Little League World Series championship in Williamsport. The victory changed their lives and made the little boys heroes. They have been idolized in Mexico ever since. The movie — Los Pequenos Gigantes – about their team is a classic in Mexico. I hear a new version of the film is in the works — in English.

** Rangers owner Tom Hicks asked me about Macias. "Is that the littlest Angel?’ I know him. He’s famous."

** As a kid growing up in South Texas and Dallas, Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo was a huge Macias fan. In 1971, he drove from his home in Dallas to Monterrey, Mexico to see Macias pitch for the Monterrey Sultanes. "The guy threw with both hands. He pitched and played center field. He was a great athlete," Jaramillo said. Watching Jaramillo talk about Macias was like talking to a kid who just met the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, or Peter Pan. The look on his face was priceless. Jaramillo fulfilled one of his life-long dreams by meeting and taking a photo with Macias.

** As part of the Hispanic Heritage Night, the Rangers showed a highlight video on the Jumbotron featuring the Latin players. Sammy Sosa was all giggly when his 600th home run was shown. It never gets old, he said.

** Happy to see Gerald Laird, Michael Young and Jerry Hairston participate in the ceremonies. The guys are Mexican and American and very proud of their entire heritage.

** Baseball and politics go together like … baseball and politics. Rudy Giuliani threw out the ceremonial first pitch Saturday. Nope, it had nothing to do with Hispanic Heritage Night  and everything to do with the fact that he is in town for a fundraiser and rally at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Giuliani and Hicks are friends.

** Luis Mendoza of Mexico made his big league debut on the mound for the Rangers on Saturday night. Kason Gabbard was scheduled to make the start but was pulled because of a blister on his finger.