June 2011 - Texas Rangers Wiretap

Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton said that he will continue to throw balls into the stands to fans and appreciates the support for that endeavor from Shannon Stone's mother, SuZann Stone, who wrote the slugger a letter urging him to keep handing out souvenirs. Shannon Stone passed away from injuries sustained in a fall at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in July when he tried to catch a foul ball tossed to him by Hamilton. Stone reached over a railing and dropped about 20 feet. "My intent will continue to be to toss baseballs to fans in the stands," Hamilton said Friday in response to stories written about SuZann Stone's desire for him to continue to give fans souvenir balls. "However, I am also very mindful that this needs to be done in the right circumstances. Giving away baseballs during a game is an important part of how we interact with our fans. I assess each situation to make certain it is done safely. I appreciate the comments by Mrs. Stone and my prayers are with the Stone family."

The Winnipeg Free Press reported that a former Rangers pitcher, Rosman Garcia, died in a car accident in his native Venezuela on Thursday. Garcia, 32, played for the Rangers in 2003. He had been playing for a Venezuelan team, the Aragua Tigers.

The Rangers won the right to negotiate with Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish earlier this month with a significant bid. Texas bid $57.1 million, more than any other team, and the last four digits of the bid were 3411. The 34 represented the number of Rangers executive Nolan Ryan and 11 is Darvish's number from his time in Japan.

The Red Sox and Rangers are the two teams most aggressively pushing to acquire pitcher Andrew Bailey from the Athletics. Boston and Texas are both interested in Bailey and they have the pieces needed to make a deal with Oakland.

SuZann Stone has one request for Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton -- don't stop throwing baseballs into the stands. Shannon Stone, 39, SuZann's son, fell to his death this season while trying to catch a foul ball thrown by Hamilton. In an interview with The New York Times Magazine, SuZann made her request. "Shortly after the accident, there was some discussion about whether foul balls should be thrown into the stands to the fans. I wrote to Josh Hamilton, and I said: 'Please, don't stop throwing those balls. Because that's so important. That's why daddies bring their little boys to the ballgame is for memories like that. Please don't stop.'"

Rangers catcher Yorvit Torrealba has been suspended for 66 games -- the rest of this Venezuelan Winter League season and all of the next -- after striking umpire Dario Rivero Jr. Torrealba issued a statement of apology on Monday. "I wanted to express my sincere apologies to all parties for my actions during the Venezuelan Winter League game on Friday," Torrealba said. "I have extended an apology to the Rangers organization as well. I am embarrassed for my conduct, and personally relayed that feeling to the umpire after that night's game. "On the field, I strive to be an example for children, especially those in my native Venezuela, and I regret my actions. I understand the reactions to the incident and will make every effort to set a positive example in the future."

Rangers reserve catcher Yorvit Torrealba has been suspended 66 games by the Venezuelan League for striking an umpire. The suspension covers the rest of this season and all of next season in the Venezuelan League. The penalty does not carry over to Major League Baseball. Torrealba struck a home plate umpire after striking out in a game Friday.

The Rangers may be willing to trade left-hander Matt Harrison in order to acquire a hitter this winter. Harrison started Game 7 of the World Series for Texas.

The Rangers are still believed to be the leaders in the race for free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder. The Cubs and Mariners are both denying interest in Fielder. Washington is also very active in the Fielder sweepstakes.

The winning bid the Rangers placed for Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish was higher than the payrolls of five Major League teams for the 2011 season. Texas won the right to negotiate with Darvish thanks to a bid of $51.7 million. The Indians, Padres, Pirates, Royals and Rays all had lower payrolls this past season.