Texas
Back in the MLB All-Star Game, Texas Rangers reliever Kirby Yates made this one count
ARLINGTON — Kirby Yates’ children were too young to remember their dad’s first trip to the All-Star Game. His kids — Oaklee and Kove — were 2 and 1 when the Texas Rangers’ closer was named to the National League roster five seasons ago as a member of the San Diego Padres.
In hindsight? It worked out fine. They’ll remember the one that mattered more.
Yates, who did not pitch in that 2019 All-Star Game in Cleveland, made his midsummer classic debut Tuesday night at Globe Life Field. He made it count, too.
Kirby Yates’ only other All-Star appearance was in 2019. He didn’t get to pitch in the game.
Yates made the most of the opportunity this time around in front of the home crowd. 🔥🔥🔥
(Via @Rangers)pic.twitter.com/l63tNlTbgv
— SportsDay Rangers (@dmn_rangers) July 17, 2024
The 37-year-old right-hander — who’s in the midst of a career revival after a number of injuries stalled it — pitched a perfect eighth inning and struck out two batters in the American League’s 5-3 win inside the Rangers’ home park.
He was one of three Rangers players who competed in Tuesday’s exhibition, joining second baseman Marcus Semien (a three-time All-Star) and shortstop Corey Seager (a five-time All-Star). Rangers manager Bruce Bochy and his assistants served as the AL’s coaching staff.
Yates struck out Washington shortstop C.J. Abrams on three pitches, including an 87.2 mph splitter that got the 23-year-old to whiff for strike three, and ran a 94.2 mph fastball past San Francisco outfielder Heliot Ramos in the next at-bat for his second strikeout. Los Angeles catcher Will Smith bounced out to third base on three pitches to end the inning.
“You’re always kind of going in there trying to do an immaculate inning, and I was off to a good start then messed that up,” said Yates, who walked off the field to a standing ovation from the home crowd. “You just don’t want to suck, let’s put it that way.”
He didn’t, and he hasn’t this season. Yates posted a 1.05 ERA, 46 strikeouts and went 16 for 16 in save opportunities for the Rangers in the first half. The Lihue, Hawaii native estimated that somewhere between 20 to 30 family members made the trip to Texas to watch him throw.
Their journey matched Yates’ own. He led the NL with 41 saves and had a 1.19 ERA in 2019, but an elbow injury derailed his 2020 season and he underwent Tommy John surgery that forced him to miss the entire 2021 season. He pitched for the Atlanta Braves last year but never quite felt like himself.
He became an All-Star again this season. The whole family got in on the fun this time.
“It just didn’t involve me, right?” Yates said. “It involved my wife, it involved my kids. We made a decision to leave our home, go somewhere else to rehab, take all the necessary steps, put our kids in a school in a place we weren’t familiar with. Did all these things that we thought were right to help my career get back to where I needed to go, and it’s just rewarding and all of that.
“It wasn’t just me, there was a village that was behind this.”
Yates, like many, grew up a Ken Griffey Jr. fan. He and his kids took a photo with Griffey on Monday night during the Home Run Derby. Both accompanied Yates and his wife, Ashlee, down the red carpet prior to Tuesday’s game.
“I know they were really nervous walking down the red carpet,” Yates said. “But I think once they got going, they kind of relaxed a little bit. My daughter loved it. It’s just neat to be able to spend it with them, because I hope it’s something they remember, too.”
Seager — who replaced Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson at shortstop prior to the fifth inning — nearly gave the AL a lead in the ballpark in which he’s hit so many memorable home runs. In a six-pitch at-bat vs. Cincinnati fireballer Hunter Greene, Seager drilled a slider just outside of the right field foul pole, then sent a 96.3 mph fastball deep into center field immediately after. Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Teoscar Hernández chased it down at the warning track.
The 102.9 mph, 402-foot flyout would have been a home run in 17 ballparks, according to Baseball Savant. Just not at Globe Life Field, where the Rangers’ home run song (the theme from The Natural) briefly played after Hernández’s grab.
“Did it really?” Seager asked. “Oh no, that’s bad mojo right there.”
And, on the topic of possibly weird mojo, Seager did not bat directly behind his double-play partner Semien as he usually does for the Rangers. Semien — Texas’ leadoff hitter — started at second base and hit ninth for the AL. He went 1 for 2 with a single and a run scored off of San Francisco Giants right-hander Logan Webb as part of a three-run third inning.
“It was weird not playing up the middle with him, too,” Semien said. “Gunnar is a big shortstop, similar build [to Seager]. He made a nice play out there. Corey and I, our goal is to be playing up the middle in these things.”
Semien, a finalist to start at second base, replaced Houston’s Jose Altuve on the roster when the latter pulled out to rest a sore hand that was hit by a pitch on July 5. Seager had a significantly shorter runway. He learned at around 6:45 p.m. Sunday that he’d been called upon to replace Minnesota shortstop Carlos Correa (plantar fasciitis) on the roster.
He and his wife, Madisyn, even had to cancel vacation plans.
“I don’t want to say we were panicked, but we were a little panicked,” Seager said. “[The red carpet] is intimidating if you don’t have time to plan for it, but she looked amazing and we had a great time.”
So did the eldest of the trio.
“It’s all surreal, I won’t ever forget this,” Yates said. “The fans were awesome, it was great, and I’m very appreciative.”
Twitter: @McFarland_Shawn
Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
Click or tap here to sign up for our Rangers newsletter.
It’s that time of year again – prom season. For many students, it’s a night to remember, but between dresses and other expenses, the costs can add up quickly. Every year, St. Andrew’s Methodist Church steps up to help ease the financial burden for families, offering free prom dresses and accessories to young women.
“I’m feeling very excited, very happy, you know it’s all like coming to me at once,” said Gabrielle Bennett, a high school junior.
Prom season is a moment many young girls look forward to, and finding the perfect dress.
Boutique experience for every shopper
“It was a lot of searching through a lot of dresses.. and seeing what fits, what doesn’t, what looks nice, and then you finally find one, and it fits perfect,” said Ally Atkins, a high school senior.
For 17 years, St. Andrew’s Methodist Church has opened its prom closet to girls across North Texas, helping those who may not be able to afford the high cost of prom. This year, organizers hope to serve 1,400 shoppers. There are more than 5,000 dresses to choose from in different colors, styles, and sizes.
“Every young lady should feel special at prom. Every young lady deserves to be beautiful, and in some cases, some of these young ladies, this would not be possible,” said Kathy Moore, a Prom Closet chairman.
Community donations make it possible
The experience is designed to feel like a real boutique – from trying on dresses to grabbing the perfect shoes, bag, and accessories. Everything is donated.
“I had one yesterday that walked into our dress area, and she stopped and just said, ‘wow,’ and so right there, that moment, that’s why we do it,” Moore said.
Organizers said the event is made possible by community donations and dozens of volunteers, but they’re always looking for more help. Next year, they hope to serve even more girls, continuing their mission to make more prom dreams come true.
“I want to thank this whole organization, I’m very grateful,” Bennett said.
How to participate
If you know someone who may need a prom dress this season, the Prom Closet is open until March 7. It is by appointment only. For more information, visit: https://standrewmethodist.org/prom-closet/
EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — A major change is coming to how vehicles are titled and registered in Texas, with local officials and border-area dealerships bracing for questions, delays and the possibility that some buyers could take their business out of state.
Beginning March 5, 2026, Texans applying for an original vehicle title and registration will need proof of identity and proof of legal status in the United States.
The Texas Motor Vehicle Board approved a new rule requiring county tax offices to verify that documentation before processing those transactions.
“If the person doesn’t have valid ID, we cannot register their vehicle,” said Ruben Gonzalez, the El Paso County tax assessor-collector.
Gonzalez said the rule is mandatory statewide and is not a local policy, but a state mandate he is required to follow as an agent of the DMV.
Under the rule, buyers must present a REAL ID-compliant Texas ID or other federally recognized documents, including a passport or permanent resident card.
Gonzalez said the rule takes effect March 5 for new titles and registrations, but proof of legal status for registration renewals will not be required until Jan. 1, 2027.
“We’re going to give a year’s time for those people to qualify, but more so to allow the entities, businesses like lean holders and dealers and the county offices to be trained on what’s an acceptable form of documentation to accept from people that are renewing online or in our offices,” Gonzalez said.
Destiny Venecia reports on Texas to require proof of identity and legal status for vehicle titles, registrations (Credit: KFOX14)
RECOMMENDED: El Paso residents report natural gas bills nearly doubling, citing surprising fees
Local dealerships said they are working to adapt, but some employees and customers are uneasy about the change.
Luis Fierro, president of the El Paso Hispanic Independent Automobile Dealer Association, said, “My personnel is a little bit scared to make a mistake. Within the dinner community, they’re all scared, they’re all lost in the system. They’re trying to figure out, as we all believe, an ID was a real ID. Now we find out that what we knew that was good to be used is no longer good.”
Border-area dealerships also worry customers could buy and register vehicles in New Mexico, taking taxes and fees out of Texas.
“Customers are scared of the new implementation, that they’re going to take their business to New Mexico, pay their taxes in New Mexico, and handle the registration and renewals in the state of New Mexico and avoid Texas,” Fierro said.
County leaders said the concern extends beyond lost sales to lost revenue for Texas counties.
“It’s going to be a loss of revenue because if they go to New Mexico, we can’t collect our fees that are due because they’re all they’re running using our highways,” Gonzalez said.
County officials said they expect an increase in questions and possible delays in the first few months after the rule takes effect March 5, 2026.
RECOMMENDED: Texas bans temporary paper license plates to curb fraud
Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.
Mass. man struck by car, seriously injured on I-93 in Londonderry, NH
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware lawmakers react to U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran
New Mexico spoils Nevada’s Senior Day as Lobos leave Reno with 63-56 win
After falling short a year ago, West Fargo United wins ND girls hockey state title
Purdue vs. Ohio State Prediction, How to Watch, Odds, Channel – Mar 1
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Mamdani’s response to Trump’s Iran strike sparks conservative backlash: ‘Rooting for the ayatollah’
Activists hail ‘historic’ EU’s decision on accessible abortion
A long-buried recording and the Supreme Court of old (CT+) : Consider This from NPR
2 Survivors Describe the Terror and Tragedy of the Tahoe Avalanche
Iran fires missiles at US bases across Middle East after American strikes on nuclear, IRGC sites
-
World3 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts4 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Montana1 week ago2026 MHSA Montana Wrestling State Championship Brackets And Results – FloWrestling
-
Louisiana6 days agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Denver, CO3 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Technology1 week agoYouTube TV billing scam emails are hitting inboxes
-
Technology1 week agoStellantis is in a crisis of its own making
-
Politics1 week agoOpenAI didn’t contact police despite employees flagging mass shooter’s concerning chatbot interactions: REPORT