Rangers notes: ‘Never Ever Quit’ shirts go nicely with USA shorts

You too can now dress just like your favorite Texas Rangers player.

First it was shorts, now it’s a T-shirt.

Rangers players debuted a new workout T-shirt before Thursday’s game. It was conceived by the bullpen with the team’s “Never Ever Quit” mantra and a logo of a base runner pointing to the dugout, a popular gesture by Rangers players after reaching base with a hit.

The shirts are on sale at the Globe Life Park gift shop and at the team’s pro shop in Sundance Square in Fort Worth. They cost $36 but a portion of the proceeds will go to stadium seasonal employees. A limited supply of the “Never Ever Quit” shorts, which Mike Napoli brought from the Boston Red Sox, are selling for $65 at the stadium gift shop. None of those proceeds are directed anywhere besides to the Rangers.

Closer Shawn Tolleson and other relievers including Sam Dyson, Jake Diekman and Ross Ohlendorf approached Rangers general manager Jon Daniels.

“We were talking about what we could do with it and if we could give back to the game-day staff and everybody who helps out all year that we’d really enjoy that,” Ohlendorf said. “We thought it would be something nice to do for all they do for us. It just felt right.”

“I’m from Dallas and I remember the other T-shirts they had made,” Tolleson said of the Claw Antler shirts from a few years back.

Proceeds from the shirts will be disbursed to the entire stadium staff, including ushers, attendants, security guards and tickets sellers.

“It’s a big group and we wanted them to feel a part of this team,” Tolleson said. “We notice all the work they put in and we just want them to feel appreciated.”

Chirinos’ progress

Catcher Robinson Chirinos has left little doubt how much he wants to be on the postseason roster. His performance Wednesday night underlined that fact.

After homering and throwing out a runner at second, Chirinos hopes he’s proven that he’s completely healthy and ready to catch on an everyday basis. He started again Thursday.

“I don’t think I need to prove to anybody that I should be on the playoff roster,” he said. “The coaching staff and the front office they know what I can do when I have a chance to play.”

Chirinos’ relationship with the pitching staff, including Wednesday’s starter Yovani Gallardo, is another important element to his return. He’s confident he can handle the rigors of catching in an extended playoff run despite missing most of the past two months.

“I’m ready to do that,” he said. “It was awesome. I had a chance to get back on the field and help this team win and get closer to a playoff spot. I feel good. I’ve been telling you guys I feel good. I’ve been working a lot to get my body in shape.”

Key stats

2.05 ERA in September by the Rangers’ bullpen, the lowest in the majors. It’s the lowest ERA in one month by the Texas bullpen since April 2012.

Quotable

“Now is the time we have to do what we have to do to win. Tomorrow I’ll go out and compete and do my job. I like to pitch in big games. I like the adrenaline. I can control that emotion and give a good show for the fans who have supported us all year. I think it’s time we go to the playoffs again.” — Rangers pitcher Martin Perez, who starts Friday’s game against the Angels

This story was originally published October 1, 2015 at 8:22 PM.