Yu Darvish will throw the first official pitch of the Texas Rangers season on March 31 against the Philadelphia Phillies, but for ceremonial purposes, there will be one pitch thrown from the mound (you'd think, anyway) before Yu gets to work.
The Rangers announced on Wednesday that newly-inducted Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux, a special assistant to the Rangers GM, will be honored by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch that will be caught by his brother, Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux.
Greg Maddux never played for the Rangers, but he was born in San Angelo (same here!). He made his name pitching primarily for the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves, winning four consecutive NL Cy Young awards and a remarkable 18 Gold Gloves, including 13 straight.
Maddux was asked after his induction to Cooperstown, N.Y. and before the warm and fuzzy retirement ceremony/reunion between the Rangers and Michael Young, who would also be a logical choice and will likely be honored sometime in May.
