Rangers Appoint Rodriguez Captain

Wearing their finest evening clothes, Alex Rodriguez and the Texas Rangers tried to put a formal end to their troubled off-season filled with trade talk and tension.

At an unusual news conference in which everyone wore tuxedos, the Rangers appointed Rodriguez their captain on Sunday night.

In town to accept the American League Most Valuable Player award, Rodriguez met for five hours in the hotel suite of Ranger owner Tom Hicks, with General Manager John Hart and Manager Buck Showalter joining in. Afterward, the quartet proclaimed the start of a new era that they hoped would culminate in Texas’ first World Series title.

“I definitely think I’m going to be here for a long time,” Rodriguez said. “I’m probably pretty sure it will work out for the best.”

Texas wanted to get out from the burden of the record $252-million, 10-year contract it signed Rodriguez to after the 2000 season, and the seven-time All-Star shortstop was frustrated after three last-place finishes with the Rangers. Texas then agreed last month to a tentative trade that would have sent the seven-time All-Star shortstop to Boston for outfielder Manny Ramirez but it fell through.

“This was an unpleasant experience but probably a necessary one,” Hart said.

Showalter said he had been thinking of making Rodriguez captain for the last year.

“I feel a grand responsibility not only to the Texas Rangers but to our fans,” Rodriguez said.

Showalter said the only other captain under him was Don Mattingly with the New York Yankees.