By John Ring
Jim Sundberg is back where he belongs.
HeÕs back in baseball. HeÕs back with the Texas
Rangers. And he couldnÕt be happier.
Sundberg is in his second season with the Texas
Rangers front office as the Executive Director to the President.
He returned to baseball in 2002, as he coordinated
several community relations programs and also served as the organizations minor
league catching instructor from 2002-2004.
A Galesburg native, Sundberg won six Gold Gloves and
was a three-time American League All-Star during his 16-year baseball career. A
member of the Rangers Hall of Fame, the former catcher ranks among Ranger
leaders in games, at-bats, hits and triples. He also played with Kansas City,
when the Royals won the World Series in 1985, Milwaukee and the Cubs.
ÒThis isnÕt just a public relations position,Ó said
Sundberg from his office at Ameriquest Field last Wednesday afternoon. ÒI
oversee four departments and am responsible for half of the revenuer raised for
the Rangers Foundation. I also do a lot of work in the marketing position.
Other guys in positions like this are handshakers but thatÕs not what I wanted
to do.Ó
Sundberg works hand in hand with Texas Rangers Owner
Thomas Hicks, President Jeff Cogen and General manager Jon Daniels. A 28-year old
wunderkind, Daniels in the youngest GM in baseball. ÒHeÕs a smart guy,Ó said
Sundberg of Daniels. ÒHeÕs literally taken the bull by the horns here. HeÕs
very young, thatÕs true, but heÕs very talented.Ó
ÒWeÕve got a nice blend here. Daniels is young and
bright, weÕve got a two-time Manager of the Year in Buck Sholwalter and weÕve
got a fantastic ballpark. We took some unique features of the best of the new
baseball parks and incorporated them here. It looks great, like itÕs brand
new.Ó
When he played for the Rangers, he was easily one of
the most popular players in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He did advertisements,
charity work and quickly became a fan favorite. His arrival on the major league
scene in 1974 coincided with the franchise becoming a winner and a contender in
the American League. ÒThe first game I ever caught was when Ferguson Jenkins
pitched,Ó said Sundberg, Òand the last game I ever caught with the Rangers was
when Nolan Ryan pitched. Those two events are something that IÕll always
remember.Ó
ÒItÕs the same with the World Series and the Royals.
The games, the events, how hard is to get to that level are things IÕll never
forget as well. ItÕs nice to look back at things like that. ItÕs to see things
that were mine in the Rangers hall of Fame. IÕve no desire to getting back on
the field but you get a sense of accomplishment.Ó
Sundberg also established the Alumni Legacy Group,
which brought ex-Rangers back into the organization to help serve the
community. ÒI think that after players retire, they get the sense that
everybody kind of forgets them. This will help bring guys back that havenÕt
been around in a while.Ó The Rangers Alumni give baseball clinics and have
worked extensively with the Miracle League of DFW which recently opened a new
baseball field that allows disabled children to play in a safe environment.
Told that many Ranger fans still think of him as the
best catcher in franchise history, Sundberg laughed. ÒThey have a couple of
good ones to choose from. Ivan Rodriguez had some great season here at Texas.
He played for over 11 seasons and was one of the best in baseball when he
played.Ó
The Ranger Hall of Famer also said heÕd like to get
back to Galesburg soon. ÒI didnÕt get back last summer because my parents came
down here. But IÕd like to get back when I have time after this season. I heard
that the Galesburg Pioneers will be back and thatÕs a good thing and I hear the
high school baseball team is doing well, too.Ó
For now, Sundberg is all business and that is the
Rangers. ÒThat was quite a game last night, wasnÕt it?Ó he asked about TexasÕ
10-4 win over Boston.
Now if they can just get some more pitching.