The Texas Rangers are paying tribute to Country music legend and former part owner of the team, Charley Pride, by naming a field at their spring training complex in Surprise, AZ after him.
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Before he became a Country superstar, Charley Pride was a star pitcher for the Memphis Red Sox and the Birmingham Black Barons in the Negro Leagues and was a two-time All-Star. Pride also pitched in the Minor Leagues having stints in the New York Yankees, New York Mets, and the California Angels organizations.
His love of baseball continued as his music career took off as Pride was a fixture at spring training. “Mr. Pride then became a regular participant at Texas Rangers spring training camps in Pompano Beach and Port Charlotte, Florida and Surprise, Arizona, working out with the team and staging an annual clubhouse concert for players and staff, a tradition that continued through this past spring,” a statement from the Texas Rangers read following Pride’s death.
In 2010, Pride became a part of the Texas Rangers ownership group. “A longtime resident of this area, he was a regular at home games when his schedule permitted. He sang The Star Spangled Banner one final time before the first regular season game ever played at Globe Life Field on July 24,” the Rangers statement continued.
“Mr. Pride was a true gentleman, and we will never forget the lasting contributions he has made to the Texas Rangers organization.”
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