Texas Rangers Dedicate Baseball Field to Charley Pride
Charley Pride was a legend in country music, but he was also a legend on the baseball diamond. No, he didn’t set any home run records, and his stint in the major leagues was fleeting. But as a Negro League player who helped integrate Major League Baseball, and later helped support baseball in an ownership capacity, his legacy looms large there as well, especially with the Texas Rangers.
That is why on Sunday (3-14), the Texas Rangers officially dedicated one of the fields at their training facility in Surprise, Arizona to the country legend, who passed away on December 12th at the age of 86.
“The Texas Rangers join the Country Music world in mourning the loss of Charley Pride,” the team said in December. “While Mr. Pride was a legendary performer who entertained millions of fans in the United States and around the world, we will remember him as a true friend to this franchise. Mr. Pride’s first love was baseball. He pitched professionally in the Negro and Minor Leagues throughout the 1950’s before embarking on his Hall of Fame singing career of more than 60 years.”
Later Charley Pride became part of the ownership of the Texas Rangers, and a regular participant at Texas Rangers spring training camps working out with the team and staging an annual clubhouse concert for players and staff—a tradition that continued up through last spring. One of the last performances Charley Pride ever gave was singing the National Anthem in July 2020 at the first-ever baseball game played at the team’s new Globe Life Field in Arlington.
Charley’s first dream was to be a professional baseball player. In 1952 he joined the Memphis Red Sox as a pitcher, which began his career in the Negro American League. Pride was once traded from the Louisville Clippers to the Birmingham Black Barrons for a team bus—the only player trade in baseball history that included a motor vehicle.
Pride’s dream of making it in the major leagues was cut short when he was drafted into the US Army in 1956. However he continued his baseball career while enlisted for the “All Army” team, and returned to civilian baseball after being discharged, playing in the Pioneer league, and trying out for The California Angels and New York Mets.
“A longtime resident of the [Dallas-Fort Worth] area, he was a regular at home games when his schedule permitted… Mr. Pride was a true gentleman, and we will never forget the lasting contributions he has made to the Texas Rangers organization.”
Video of the dedication of Charley Pride Field can be seen below.
Introducing Charley Pride Field!
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) March 14, 2021
You are greatly missed. pic.twitter.com/v46HyO2EQ3
March 15, 2021 @ 9:51 am
Does this mean they’ll kiss the Angels good morning?
March 15, 2021 @ 12:34 pm
Might actually make me watch a MLB for once.
March 15, 2021 @ 10:32 am
Bfd.
They should have named Globe Life Field after him.
What a mountain of a man, the way he lived his life.
And no, naming a sandlot, even a spring training sandlot, …
Way to go woke Rangers.
Is there an emoji for jerking off?
March 15, 2021 @ 11:09 am
They didn’t have to do anything. This was a cool gesture.
And no, they’re not going to name their primary ballpark, which they receive $11 million a year from for naming rights, after anyone that doesn’t pay them for it.
I also don’t see anything “woke” about this. Pride was a big part of their Spring Training ritual every year. I think it’s about perfect.
March 15, 2021 @ 11:39 am
We both have our opinions
March 15, 2021 @ 3:44 pm
This is a classy move by the Rangers. Here’s my modest proposal for what to do at Globe Life Field.
They could choose a spot inside a concourse at the stadium for a memorial to Charley with a plaque like one would see at a Hall of Fame and pictures of him performing and meeting players and staff at spring training.
Just my attempt to have an honest dialogue without casting stones. Rest in power, Charley.
March 16, 2021 @ 7:28 am
It will be interesting to see if they have a “HOF” type area in the new stadium. I know there are several newer parks that have them. If so I would expect them to have something about him in that area.
March 15, 2021 @ 12:39 pm
You go girl! I wish we had a clap emojie along with the thank you button!
March 15, 2021 @ 4:01 pm
Just the international masturbatory hand signal, which, incidentally, is sometimes used for “swing away” or “steal 3rd base” among first and third base coaches.
March 15, 2021 @ 11:50 am
What would be really cool is for Globe Life to share the name and have it changed to a combination Globe Life/Charley Pride Field.
March 15, 2021 @ 4:19 pm
What would be really cool would be for you to jump in a lake.
March 16, 2021 @ 9:40 am
Don’t you think it would be nice for the Rangers to have Mr. Pride’s name at the stadium?
March 15, 2021 @ 2:02 pm
Classy move by the organization.
March 15, 2021 @ 4:03 pm
Charley is quite a gem.
He, and the fans who accepted him, are both responsible for integrating country music.
March 15, 2021 @ 5:44 pm
Charlie pride was a great man and I love his music and it was really sad when I heard he died and this is quit a nice thing for them to do
March 15, 2021 @ 6:58 pm
I am against “woke” more than most, but this is a great gesture for a classy country artist. My full support!! And I agree with Trigger, this isn’t a woke activity from what I can see.