Spring training is full of anxiety for bubble players fighting for the final few roster spots, but the Texas Rangers found an incredibly memorable way to deliver good news this week. During a seemingly routine mound visit in a spring exhibition game, manager Bruce Bochy didn’t ask for the baseball; instead, he told reliever Carter Baumler that he had officially made the Opening Day roster.
A Dream Realized
Baumler, who has battled through various injuries during his professional career, was visibly emotional on the mound as his infielders gathered around to congratulate him. It was a beautiful, unscripted moment that highlights the human element of the sport. Baumler’s impressive strikeout numbers this spring earned him the spot, and he will now be a key piece of the Rangers’ bullpen as they look to make another deep postseason run.
