The Rangers organization is being applauded for their role in handling things following the death of Angels P Tyler Skaggs on Monday. The Angels are playing in Arlington this week, and the Orange County Register's Jeff Fletcher wrote, "Worth pointing out that the Rangers handled this entire situation with the utmost class and respect. From the front office to the players to the ballpark mood." The L.A. Times' Mike DiGiovanna: "It was the #Rangers players who requested that no walk-up music be played during tonight's game vs. #Angels so they could have individual moments of silence to honor Tyler Skaggs." Former Angels VP/Communications Tim Mead: "Appreciation & respect to @RangerBlake & @Rangers for their efforts last night in supporting @Angels during this terrible time. While the grieving shall continue for Angels & @MLB families, the Rangers looked after both yesterday with compassion & sensitivity" (TWITTER.com, 7/2).
GOING GLOBAL: In DC, Josh Luckenbaugh noted Nationals President of Baseball Operations & GM Mike Rizzo wants the team to "go international." Rizzo said, "We'd love to take our show on the road. London would be a great place to be, I know there's teams going to Asia, there's teams going to Australia." He added, "With the star power that we have, we think that we're one of the teams that the world wants to see" (NBCSPORTSWASHINGTON.com, 7/1).
RING THAT BELL: In Pittsburgh, Joe Starkey writes Pirates 1B Josh Bell has "emerged as the indisputable face of the franchise." The city "can’t get enough of the guy." Pittsburgh-based The Fan Store manager Randy Madera said, "We’ve really seen a pop in Bell jerseys -- all colors. Anything Bell is popular right now." On a visit this week, adult Bell T-shirts were "down to medium only," and only large was "left among kids’ sizes." Outside PNC Park, it "wasn’t hard to find folks of all shapes and sizes wearing Bell shirts" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 7/3).
