Texas Rangers

Texas ties abound in Cubs-Indians World Series

By Stefan Stevenson

sstevenson@star-telegram.com
Cubs starter Jake Arrieta played at Plano East and TCU before becoming an ace for the Cubs. He won the National League Cy Young award in 2015.
Cubs starter Jake Arrieta played at Plano East and TCU before becoming an ace for the Cubs. He won the National League Cy Young award in 2015. Jae C. Hong AP

The Rangers aren’t in the World Series, but there are plenty of Texas ties with the 2016 Fall Classic.

One World Series title-starved town is going to finally taste victory when the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians begin the best-of-seven series at 7:08 p.m. Tuesday at Cleveland’s Progressive Field.

The clubs have the two longest World Series title droughts in the majors. The Indians last won it in 1948. The Cubs last won it in 1908.

It’s the first World Series appearance for the Cubs since 1945. The Indians reached the Series in 1995 and 1997, but lost both.

Texas ties

A look at the Texas ties among players (and coaches) in the 2016 World Series:

Indians

RHP Corey Kluber, Coppell HS

RHP Jeff Manship, San Antonio Reagan High School

LHP Ryan Merritt, Celina HS, McLennan CC

RHP Josh Tomlin, Whitehouse HS, Texas Tech

Indians starter Josh Tomlin attended Whitehouse High School and Texas Tech.
Indians starter Josh Tomlin attended Whitehouse High School and Texas Tech. Gene J. Puskar AP

1B Mike Napoli, Rangers (2011-12; ‘15)

Former Ranger Mike Napoli, left, celebrates with his Indians teammates Coco Crisp, top, and Jose Ramirez, bottom right, after clinching the American League pennant on Oct. 19.
Former Ranger Mike Napoli, left, celebrates with his Indians teammates Coco Crisp, top, and Jose Ramirez, bottom right, after clinching the American League pennant on Oct. 19. Mark Blinch AP

OF Tyler Naquin, Klein Collins HS, Texas A&M

Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor, left, and centre fielder Tyler Naquin celebrate after clinching the American League pennant. Naquin played at Klein Collins High School and Texas A&M.
Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor, left, and centre fielder Tyler Naquin celebrate after clinching the American League pennant. Naquin played at Klein Collins High School and Texas A&M. Mark Blinch AP

Pitching coach Michael Callaway, Rangers (2003-04)

Cubs

RHP Jake Arrieta, Plano East HS, TCU

Cubs starter Jake Arrieta played at Plano East and TCU before becoming an ace for the Cubs. He won the National League Cy Young award in 2015.
Cubs starter Jake Arrieta played at Plano East and TCU before becoming an ace for the Cubs. He won the National League Cy Young award in 2015. Jae C. Hong AP

RHP Carl Edwards, Drafted by Rangers in 2011, traded along with three others to Cubs for Matt Garza in July 2013

RHP Justin Grimm, Drafted by Rangers in 2010, played with Rangers 2012-13, traded along with Edwards and two others to Cubs for Garza

RHP Kyle Hendricks, drafted by Rangers in 2011, traded to Cubs along with Christian Villanueva for Ryan Dempster in July 2012

Third base coach Gary Jones, Henderson HS, Paris Junior College

Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks won Game 6 of the NLCS to clinch the National League pennant. Hendricks was drafted by the Rangers in 2011 and traded to the Cubs along with Christian Villanueva for Ryan Dempster in July 2012.
Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks won Game 6 of the NLCS to clinch the National League pennant. Hendricks was drafted by the Rangers in 2011 and traded to the Cubs along with Christian Villanueva for Ryan Dempster in July 2012. Nam Y. Huh AP

RHP John Lackey, Abilene HS, Grayson CC, UT Arlington

Cubs starter John Lackey attended Abilene High School before later playing at UT Arlington for a year.
Cubs starter John Lackey attended Abilene High School before later playing at UT Arlington for a year. David J. Phillip AP

RHP Pedro Strop, Rangers 2009-11, traded to Orioles who then traded him along with Arrieta to the Cubs in July 2013.

LHP John Zastryzny, Corpus Christi Calallen HS

INF/OF Ben Zobrist, Dallas Baptist

World Series schedule

Game 1: 7:08 p.m. Tuesday, Progressive Field

Game 2: 7:08 p.m. Wednesday, Progressive Field

Game 3: 7:08 p.m. Friday, Wrigley Field

Game 4: 7:08 Saturday, Wrigley Field

Game 5*: 7:15 p.m. Sunday, Wrigley Field

Game 6*: 7:08 p.m. Nov 1, Progressive Field

Game 7*: 7:08 p.m. Nov. 2, Progressive Field

*If necessary

Stefan Stevenson: 817-390-7760, @StevensonFWST

This story was originally published October 24, 2016 at 3:19 AM with the headline "Texas ties abound in Cubs-Indians World Series."

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