Rangers notes: Coach Bobby Jones presented with Vietnam medal
Bobby Jones didn’t have long to decompress in February 1971 after returning from 14 months as an Army corporal in Vietnam.
A month later he was in spring training playing minor league baseball with the Washington Senators.
Jones, in his 40th season in the Texas Rangers organization as a player, minor league manager and coach, was honored in a ceremony before Thursday’s game at Globe Life Park.
Jones, who is the Rangers’ bench coach, was officially presented his Bronze Star for “meritorious achievement while engaged in conflict with an opposing foreign force.”
Jones was given the medal upon his return in 1971, but as was the custom then, it was never officially presented to him.
“I didn’t expect any of this, but it’s pretty cool that they’re doing it,” Jones said earlier Thursday. “It’s unbelievable. This honor is awesome. I really appreciate what everyone is doing.”
Nowadays, Jones said, military men and woman are often honored on airplanes and other venues, including in ballparks every night around the country. Back in 1971, the unpopularity of the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War led to an unfair backlash toward returning soldiers.
“Back then, you came back and everyone’s spitting and cussing at us,” Jones said. “Ashamed to wear your uniform basically.”
Col. R.J. Muraski, deputy commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Southwestern Division, who is based in Dallas, presented Jones with his Bronze Star and its accompanying citation, which Jones had never received.
It a was a good night for the honor, Jones said, with the country taking the day to remember the tragic events on Sept. 11, 2001. The Sheppard Air Force Base Honor Guard presented the colors and U.S. airmen, along with the Arlington Fire and Police departments, unfurled a huge American flag in the outfield during the national anthem, performed by the U.S. Air Force Quintet.
“This one here means a lot,” said Jones, who suffered major hearing loss from 14 months of working as a section chief at a fire base, which helped protect infantryman with a 105 mm howitzer battery. Jones said his quick return to the daily life of baseball helped him deal with the trauma of war.
“Yeah, I’m sure it did,” he said. “It was crazy there for a while, you’re in the jungle fighting and all of a sudden you’re walking the streets.”
Those in attendance, including the Rangers and Angels players gave Jones, who stood with his wife, Debbie, near home plate, a standing ovation. Rangers interim manager Tim Bogar said it’s important for people to remember the sacrifices made.
“People need to see what Bobby’s done for this country and the service that he gave,” Bogar said. “It just makes you realize how fortunate we are that we have people to go over and do the things they do so we can live the lives we do.”
Holland eyes eighth
Left-hander Derek Holland has gone seven innings in his first two starts since returning from an off-season knee injury and surgery.
Both starters were excellent, leaving Holland and the Rangers with little more to ask for. But Holland hopes to get beyond the seventh on Friday when he starts the opener against the Atlanta Braves.
“My goal as a starter is not only to start the game but close it, too,” said Holland, 1-0 with one earned run allowed in his first 14 innings. “I want to try to get as many complete games as I possibly can. That’s every starter’s dream, to go out there and go the distance.”
After missing the first five months of the season and making six rehab starts in the minors, Holland feels great and hopes to go deeper.
“We’re not just trying to go out there and get a quality start. We’re trying to go far,” he said. “I feel normal. I definitely could go out more. [After the game] I feel great, once I do all my exercise, everything there is feeling good and looking good.”
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“I was told I was the interim manager and the process going forward was I was a candidate for it, along with other in-house candidates and [they would] talk to other people outside. They’re going to have a regular manager search. I get the opportunity to interview on the job, and then I’m sure I’ll have a formal interview after the season. They’re going to do their due process to have the best man sitting in this chair next year.” — Rangers interim manager Tim Bogar on his future with the club.
This story was originally published September 11, 2014 at 8:09 PM with the headline "Rangers notes: Coach Bobby Jones presented with Vietnam medal."