COVID-19 will keep most fans out of Globe Life Field this season.
Most fans.
But thanks to the efforts of Rangers general manager Jon Daniels and his staff, one very special family was in attendance Tuesday night in a comfy, safe place.
Jim and Tamara Hilliard, the parents of Rockies rookie outfielder Sam Hilliard, were at the brand-new ballpark in Arlington, Texas to watch their son play the Rangers in an exhibition game. They plan to be back Friday night when the Rockies open their 2020 season.
Jim Hilliard is battling ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
“He’s doing good,” said his son, who was a Rangers fan while growing up in nearby Mansfield, Texas. “He’s still the same guy, great sense of humor, very positive. He’s keeping the family spirits up and still loves to see his family and his friends.
“The conversation I had with him and my mom was just kind of, ‘I can’t believe that it’s going to happen. They’re really going to let us do this.’ It was a conversation of cries and just relief. We haven’t seen each other for a while. We’re all really happy to reunite.”
After making his debut in the majors last August, Hilliard began using his high profile to raise money for ALS research. His mom, a former Miss Texas, business owner and commercial actor, has been the driving force behind Team Hilliard and its website (Twitter handle @TeamHilliardALS).
Jim Hilliard, a retired orthopedic and sports medicine surgeon, was officially diagnosed with ALS in 2018. Although his son prefers not to talk about his dad’s situation very often, it’s clear that this is a very big deal.
“It’s part of what makes this game great, for his family to be a part of their son coming back home and playing against the team he grew up rooting for,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “We all know his dad’s situation. It’s rough. But it’s a gentle moment. It’s really cool.”
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Moving satellite. The coronavirus is forcing the Rockies into a major change of plans. After discussions with New Mexico’s government about the pandemic, the club decided to move its “satellite camp” from Albuquerque to Denver. Albuquerque is home to the Rockies’ Triple-A team and seemed like the perfect place to train pool players who are not on the 30-man roster or three-man taxi squad.
COVID-19, however, altered those plans. Instead, the camp will be held at Coors Field and Metropolitan State University of Denver. The Rockies will use the Pepsi Center as a clubhouse. The Pepsi Center is available because the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche will compete out of state in so-called bubble environments.
Footnotes. Late-game reliever Scott Oberg, who’s dealing with a strained back, remains in injury limbo. Black said the club hasn’t decided if Oberg will pitch in Wednesday night’s exhibition game against the Rangers. Rosters for opening day are due at 11 a.m. Thursday (MDT) and Black said a decision on Oberg will “come down to the 11th hour.” … Antonio Senzatela, the fourth starter, will start Wednesday night and could hike his pitch count up to 75. Senzatela will likely start at Oakland next Tuesday. … Lefty Jake McGee, released by the Rockies last Friday, signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers on Tuesday and was added to their 40-man roster. McGee, who signed a three-year, $27 million deal with Colorado prior to the 2018 season, is coming off of a difficult 2019 season in which he posted a 4.35 ERA and gave up 2.4 home runs per nine innings.
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