The MLB Rangers on Saturday hosted more than 4,500 residents and first responders from the town of West, Texas, for a "much-needed respite" following the town's fertilizer plant explosion in April that killed 15 and injured more than 200, according to Patrick Walker of the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. The Rangers, who "furnished game tickets, T-shirts and food coupons, honored the volunteer firefighters and paramedics who died in the blast with a slide show on the ballpark’s massive video screen and a moment of silence." The team also "welcomed those who survived onto the field," where LF David Murphy and CEO Nolan Ryan "shook their hands." The team, MLB, players, sponsors and fans "combined to donate nearly $200,000 for various needs in West" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 7/7). In Dallas, Sarah Mervosh noted the Rangers provided "red-carpet treatment for West residents." Rangers DH Lance Berkman "donated a firetruck to the city," and MLB, the MLBPA and the team "together donated $140,000 toward recovery efforts." The event "marked the most high-profile and inclusive gesture of goodwill toward the town and its first responders since the fertilizer plant explosion" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/7).
YANKS HOST NEWTOWN RESIDENTS: In Hartford, Dom Amore reports "more than 4,000" Newtown, Conn., residents were at yesterday's Orioles-Yankees game as guests of the Yankees. Families "directly affected" by the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, including teachers, "were given first choice for the free tickets." Then they were "offered to other town residents." Organizers said that the Yankees' initial allotment of 3,000 "went fast," and it was "increased to 3,600 and finally 4,000." Each ticketholder "got a voucher for food and drink." The national anthem was "sung by Newtown Youth Voices, a choir of youngsters ages 7 to 17" (HARTFORD COURANT, 7/8). The names of 20 children and six adults killed in the Dec. 14 shooting were "listed on the center-field Jumbotron" in a pregame ceremony (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/8).
REMEMBERING MOORE: CABLEFAX DAILY notes Fox on Thursday began airing special features to "honor the victims of the Moore, OK, tornado." The "American Way"-themed features debuted in the "pregame shows of more than a dozen MLB telecasts produced by Fox regional nets." They also ran "across Fox Sports properties through the weekend, including the Fox Saturday Baseball Game of the Week" (CABLEFAX DAILY, 7/8).
