Texas Rangers

Video: Hamilton opens press conference by reading a Bible verse

Josh Hamilton opened his press conference by reading a pair of Bible verses on Friday morning. Below is a video of the second one he read from 2 Corinthians 2:7.

 

-- Drew Davison 

Video: Would Josh Hamilton give himself a long-term deal?

Josh Hamilton will be a free agent at the end of the season, and was asked if he'd give himself a long-term contract considering his two public relapses with alcohol in the past three years. His answer is below.

 

 

-- Drew Davison

Josh Hamilton talks contract, recovery

Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton said on Friday that he isn't worried about his contract situation, but also said that he doesn't owe the Rangers any sort of discount based on the support they have given him throughout his daily battle with addictions to drugs and alcohol.

"The Rangers have done a lot for me, but I've got a question for ya'll: Have I done a lot for the Rangers?" Hamilton said. "I think I've given them everything I've had, and I don't think anybody can say I haven't. When it comes down to it, what people don't understand, is this is a business.

"I love Texas, I love my fans, I love the fans of the Rangers, I love the organization, I love my teammates, I love everything about it. But I'm not going to sit here and say I owe the Rangers, because I don't feel like I owe the Rangers."

Hamilton can be a free agent after this season. He said that he doubts that an extension will be discussed during the season, but he also conceded that he is letting agent Mike Moye handle all discussions.

The Rangers and Moye tabled talks after Hamilton suffered a relapse with alcohol Jan. 30. It was his second public relapse.

Hamilton spoke to the media for more than 30 minutes Friday morning, quoting five Bible verses to help convey what he's going through in his recovery. He said his faith is as strong as it has ever been after learning in counseling that he needs to be more open with his wife and family. He made similar comments last week during an appearance on Glenn Beck's webcast GBTV.

Hamilton says that he has built a strong relationship with Shayne Kelley, his new accountability partner, and also hopes that his teammates can help him stay accountable. Hamilton expects to speak with his teammates at some point this spring about his latest relapse and where he is in his recovery, but doesn't feel like he has to regain their trust.

-- Jeff Wilson

Video: Josh Hamilton doesn't feel like he 'owes the Rangers'

The Texas Rangers have supported Josh Hamilton through his ongoing fight against drug and alcohol addiction, including his second known relapse this winter.

Hamilton is also a free agent at the end of the season, and some feel that Hamilton should sign with the Rangers because they have been supportive through everything. But Hamilton addresses that issue in the video below, saying he doesn't feel like he owes the Rangers anything because he has given all he has on the field.

 

 

-- Drew Davison

Darvish holds spring training press conference

Yu Darvish had his first spring training press conference on Thursday, and made one thing clear.

"I'm not here to play around," Darvish said. "I'm here to play baseball."

Darvish answered questions for approximately 30 minutes, and spoke on a variety of subjects. Among the highlights:

* Darvish doesn't plan to decrease the number of pitches he throws. Asked how many pitches he has, specifically, Darvish said: "Actually, I don't even know how many pitches I throw."

* Darvish has enjoyed the first few days of camp, and has gotten to know several of his teammates. He said he has learned a few words in English and Spanish from his teammates thus far.

* Darvish put on approximately 20 pounds this winter, similar to his previous off-seasons. He said he was going to put on even more weight, but felt too heavy.

* Darvish said he will take every bit of advice possible from Greg Maddux and Nolan Ryan.

* Finally, Darvish addressed the large Japanese media contigent following him in spring training. "Am I the type of player who should get this attention? I don't even know that now," Darvish said.

-- Drew Davison

Rangers video: Manager Ron Washington briefing

Manager Ron Washington meets a larger-than-normal throng of media for his first daily briefing of spring training.

 

 

 

Rangers video: Yu Darvish live batting practice

Right-hander Yu Darvish threw live batting practice for five minutes Thursday during the first day of spring training for Rangers pitchers and catchers. He threw 19 pitches to minor-leaguers Ryan Strausborger and Jurickson Profar. Only Strausborger swung, hitting two foul popups and a grounder to shortstop.

 

 

 

Rangers video: Yu Darvish fielding practice

The most mundane rite of spring -- pitchers fielding practice -- was a little more exciting Thursday on the first day of Texas Rangers spring training because of Yu Darvish. Here is a clip of him fielding a chopper and taking it to first base. Pitching coach Mike Maddux, who hit the chopper, was impressed by Darvish's athletic ability.

 

 

 

Video: Yu Darvish throws bullpen session

Throwing a bullpen session is a routine exercise that pitchers do throughout the season. But Yu Darvish's first bullpen session of spring training was of high interest today in Surprise, Ariz. A video of it is below (Darvish is the third from right, and threw to catcher Mike Napoli):

 

 

-- Drew Davison

Thursday in Surprise: Spring training begins

Pitchers and catchers will work out for the first time this spring at 10 a.m. local time, and 30 of the 32 pitchers in camp will throw a five-minute bullpen session and five minutes of live batting practice. Included in the group is right-hander Mike Adams, who had off-season hernia surgery and thought he might be a little behind the rest of the group at the start of camp. Colby Lewis and Scott Feldman threw Wednesday so that they could be lined up for the first spring game March 4.

Yu Darvish will speak at 2 p.m. local time, his first comments since he was introduced Jan. 20 at Rangers Ballpark. It'll be quite a scene, not unlike that Jan. 20 presser.

Josh Hamilton is in camp and will work out today, but he won't speak to the media until Friday.

Yorvit Torrealba arrived but did not address the off-season incident in which he shoved an umpire during a winter-league game in Venezuela. He said that he's OK with a similar catching rotation as last year, when he and Mike Napoli shared time. Napoli, though, got the bulk of the starts down the stretch and in the playoffs.

-- Jeff Wilson