Rangers outfielder Willie Calhoun suffered a horrible injury – a fractured jaw – when he took a 95 mph pitch to the face in early March. Fortunately, though, Calhoun’s doing well in his recovery. Calhoun told MLB Network Radio (via Brice Paterik of the Dallas Morning News} that he’s “back up to 100 percent.” He’s in line to play a key role for the Rangers this year after turning in a productive 2019 campaign, and could be a breakout candidate, but it took some time for the light bulb to go on for the former high-end prospect. The 25-year-old Calhoun believes he owes some of his recent success to Rangers general manager Jon Daniels. “JD really flat out just told me the stuff I needed to work on and he was saying at the time I don’t think I was doing as well offensively,” Calhoun said. “He said ’if you’re going to be an offense only guy you’ve got to put up offense only numbers, like J.D. Martinez type numbers.” Calhoun got into better shape after that talk with Daniels, and the results have been encouraging since then. Check out Paterik’s piece for more quotes from Calhoun.
- Former Athletics minor leaguer Miguel Marte has passed away of COVID-19 at the age of 30, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Marte, a catcher/first baseman from the Dominican Republic, played in the A’s system from 2008-12. He left behind a wife and two children. If you’re interested in helping them, a GoFundMe page has been set up.
- The Astros have also lost somebody to the coronavirus. Bill Gladstone, who owned Single-A affiliate the Tri-City ValleyCats passed away of the illness Thursday, according to Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle. “Bill was a class act with a great passion for the game,” the Astros said in a statement. “Our entire Astros family sends our heartfelt condolences to his son, Doug, his daughter, Susan and to the entire Gladstone family.”
- As a result of the pandemic, roughly half of the Rangers’ full-time employees in baseball and business operations will face a reduction in pay after May 15, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News tweets. Those cuts in salary could range from 10 to 20 percent, and there’s no indication as to how long they’ll last, but the Rangers aren’t planning to lay off any of those employees at this point.
too young to die. hope he has a better place on the other side!
Good for Calhoun, it’s too bad he doesn’t get as much credit as he deserves. If he played a full 162 last season he would be flirting with 40 homers, hopefully his defense improves because I’d love to see him in left field for the future. Imagine if we get Springer or Betts, that outfield would be disgusting! Gallo, Calhoun, and Betts/Springer! Wow! But most likely we will get Mallex Smith and say “we made an effort”.
Lol
He’s still an average replacement player at this point.
A better defensive left fielder will be in place in 2021 for the Rangers. The only reason Calhoun was there in 2020 was because Choo was in the DH slot, which is where Calhoun should be in the future.
We will give you Smith for about what we got him for. He will be an afterthought in a year or two. Lewis Rodriguez and Kelenic will be our starters. I will take them and be happy very happy.
Hey speed thrills!
Rangers better hope Calhoun plays to his potential they didn’t get nearly enough for Darvish.
They did fine, Darvish was a rental. If you go back and look at some of the other discussions there were no obviously better offers.
Funny how all the mouth breathing loudmouths with their YouTube research who keep harping on the season starting today and the virus being no big deal are silent on an article that shows human loss.
it really amazes me that this sentiment prevails. while i think things can get back closer to normal earlier then we expect, i cant understand those who still think this is a farce. numbers dont lie, and while the skeptics may have points on potential inaccuracies in the numbers, the point remains that it is dangerous regardless.
Playing baseball in 2020 will kill players, coaches, team staff, and/or umpires. Which of these groups is going to want to take that risk? 30 teams, 26 active players: 780 players in all. Call it 800 with roster moves. Another 200 staff, so at least 1,000 people would be involved. Let’s say it’s a 1% fatality rate and 80% of people will get it. Which 8 of those people should sacrifice their lives so we can watch baseball?
Oh the 88 year old owner Bill Gladstone that died from complications? Idk why it’s a shock someone who was almost 90 died from an illness….what needs to be said? He died. Condolences to the family. Proves nothing about the virus. Old people have been dying from being sick since humans first walked the earth.
Calhoun should be a DH after Choo retires.
Sad to hear about these deaths to COVID-19.