http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-emmittsmith&prov=ap&type=lgns
"Smith gets standing ovation from Rangers crowd
By JAIME ARON, AP Sports Writer
April 4, 2003
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Even as an Arizona Cardinal, Emmitt Smith can still draw a standing ovation from a Texas
Smith's first introduction as a member of a team other than the Dallas Cowboys was overwhelmingly positive when he went to the mound at The Ballpark in Arlington to throw out the first pitch for the Texas Rangers home opener Friday.
Wearing a Rangers jersey -- No. 22, of course -- and hinting at his new allegiance with a red undershirt and red-tinged sneakers, Smith smiled and waved his arms to acknowledge the cheers from about 30,000 fans.
Smith said he was expecting a nice response after getting a warm reception at a Dallas Mavericks game Thursday night.
``A lot of people have wished me success in Arizona,'' said Smith, released by the Cowboys on Feb. 27 and signed by the Cardinals last week. ``When you hear people say, `Our loss is their gain,' it's nice. I think people here share probably a lot of fond memories that I share.''
Smith was giddy about being at his first major league opening day, and to be involved in the show. After warming up for about 15 minutes in an indoor batting cage, Smith said, ``I don't quite remember the mound being so far away.''
He acknowledged he wasn't sure he had the courage to throw all the way from the rubber. Ended up, he didn't.
Standing at the base of the mound, Smith threw a strike to catcher Chad Kreuter, then walked off with arms up as if signaling a touchdown.
Kreuter then gave the ball to Smith, who presented it to Everman High senior Corey Fulbright, who was paralyzed from the waist down during a high school championship football game in December.
Smith then watched the game from the owner's box with team owner Tom Hicks, Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan and their wives.
Ryan can relate to Smith's circumstances.
In 1989, he left his hometown team, the Houston Astros, because they didn't want to pay a lot for a player they considered on the downside of his career. Ryan pitched five seasons for the Rangers, throwing two no-hitters, winning his 300th game and recording his 5,000th strikeout.
Smith turns 34 next month and was due a base salary of $7 million next season. He signed a two-year deal in Arizona.
``I didn't want to leave Houston, but coming here was the best thing that ever happened to me,'' Ryan said.
``I'm hoping for the same thing,'' Smith said."
"Smith gets standing ovation from Rangers crowd
By JAIME ARON, AP Sports Writer
April 4, 2003
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Even as an Arizona Cardinal, Emmitt Smith can still draw a standing ovation from a Texas
Smith's first introduction as a member of a team other than the Dallas Cowboys was overwhelmingly positive when he went to the mound at The Ballpark in Arlington to throw out the first pitch for the Texas Rangers home opener Friday.
Wearing a Rangers jersey -- No. 22, of course -- and hinting at his new allegiance with a red undershirt and red-tinged sneakers, Smith smiled and waved his arms to acknowledge the cheers from about 30,000 fans.
Smith said he was expecting a nice response after getting a warm reception at a Dallas Mavericks game Thursday night.
``A lot of people have wished me success in Arizona,'' said Smith, released by the Cowboys on Feb. 27 and signed by the Cardinals last week. ``When you hear people say, `Our loss is their gain,' it's nice. I think people here share probably a lot of fond memories that I share.''
Smith was giddy about being at his first major league opening day, and to be involved in the show. After warming up for about 15 minutes in an indoor batting cage, Smith said, ``I don't quite remember the mound being so far away.''
He acknowledged he wasn't sure he had the courage to throw all the way from the rubber. Ended up, he didn't.
Standing at the base of the mound, Smith threw a strike to catcher Chad Kreuter, then walked off with arms up as if signaling a touchdown.
Kreuter then gave the ball to Smith, who presented it to Everman High senior Corey Fulbright, who was paralyzed from the waist down during a high school championship football game in December.
Smith then watched the game from the owner's box with team owner Tom Hicks, Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan and their wives.
Ryan can relate to Smith's circumstances.
In 1989, he left his hometown team, the Houston Astros, because they didn't want to pay a lot for a player they considered on the downside of his career. Ryan pitched five seasons for the Rangers, throwing two no-hitters, winning his 300th game and recording his 5,000th strikeout.
Smith turns 34 next month and was due a base salary of $7 million next season. He signed a two-year deal in Arizona.
``I didn't want to leave Houston, but coming here was the best thing that ever happened to me,'' Ryan said.
``I'm hoping for the same thing,'' Smith said."
