Hall of Famer Greg Maddux will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Texas Rangers' opener March 31 against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Maddux, a special assistant to the general manager, was asked by the team to throw the pitch shortly after he was elected to the Hall this offseason. That was before Michael Young, the franchise leader in hits and games played, retired in January. The Rangers are planning to honor Young early in the season, probably in May.
Mike Maddux, the team's pitching coach and Greg's brother, will catch the first pitch.
Greg Maddux joined the Rangers in 2012 and has helped his brother with the club's staff. He has spent time at spring training working with pitchers and has also traveled at various times during the season to minor league affiliates to coach some of the club's prospects.
Maddux was a first-ballot Hall of Famer after earning 97.2 percent of the vote. He won four consecutive National League Cy Young Awards from 1992 to 1995 with the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves and led the NL in ERA four times. He also was an eight-time All-Star and won 18 Gold Gloves, including 13 in a row.