Rangers continue ginger ale party for Bush, Jeffress

The Rangers carried on a tradition Friday that started with Josh Hamilton, as they showered relievers Matt Bush and Jeremy Jeffress with ginger ale rather than alcohol to include them in the celebration after clinching the division title.

Bush and Jeffress, who are waging a daily battle to remain sober, were soaked through with the soft drink before heading to another part of the clubhouse that was protected by hanging sheets of plastic from spraying alcohol.

The gesture touched them both.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and it felt so great to be around it and be a part of it,” said Jeffress, who rejoined the team Friday after a three-week absence to seek treatment following his Aug. 26 arrest for driving while intoxicated. “It’s very much an honor. I could see how it puts things in perspective for you for the days to come and what you really want to look forward to and when you’re working with a group of guys like this.”

Bush said that he hopes to help Jeffress in his recovery. Bush hasn’t had a drink since 2012, when he was arrested in Florida for a variety of crimes stemming from driving drunk. He pleaded guilty to drunk driving with major bodily harm and served 39 months in prison.

“I just want Jeremy to get comfortable and situated with the team again,” Bush said. “I told him already, ‘You will never have to worry about being judged by me because of what I’ve been through. I’ve been way beyond where you’re at.’ We’ll be able to chat and have some conversations about some things.”

This story was originally published September 24, 2016 at 3:45 PM with the headline "Rangers continue ginger ale party for Bush, Jeffress."