ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Robin Ventura hasn’t spoken to Nolan Ryan since charging the mound against the Hall of Fame pitcher 19 seasons ago.
When Ventura makes his managerial debut for the Chicago White Sox on Friday in a season opener at Texas, Ryan will be sitting in the front row of his team’s new-look ballpark.
Six months after being hired for his first managing job, Ventura’s first game is against the two-time defending American League champion. Ryan is now president, CEO and part-owner of the Rangers.
Ventura was a 26-year-old third baseman for the White Sox on that hot August night in 1993. Ryan, who was 20 years older, got him in a headlock and landed several blows.
That video is still wildly popular at Rangers Ballpark, but won’t be shown this weekend.
