Lifestyles
11th Annual Park Place Dealerships – Texas Rangers Triple Play raises record $688,000
By David Alvey. Photos by John Pippard & David Alvey
May 20, 2013

Texas Rangers Senior Executive Vice President Jim Sundberg and President, Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation; Park Place Motorsports President Neil Grossman; Texas Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan; Texas Rangers Foundation Executive Director Karin Morris and Park Place Lexus President Jordan Case.

Some kids never grow up. And that’s a good thing if those kids play for the Texas Rangers Baseball Club. After winning a Sunday afternoon game May 5 against the Boston Red Sox, the Rangers players, coaches, staff and alumni got together with more than 600 fans in a Hilton Anatole ballroom to raise money for kids in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Sporting a cruise ship theme, the 11th Annual Park Place Dealerships – Texas Rangers Triple Play Game Show Spectacular set sail and raised a record $688,000 for the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. The Triple Play is the Foundation's largest fundraiser. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $2 million.



“Triple Play is a great opportunity for fans to see their favorite players and coaches up close and personal,” said Robert Morris, general manager, Park Place Motorcars Dallas. “More importantly, it benefits the Texas Rangers Foundation, which does a wonderful job supporting youth baseball programs throughout North Texas. If we get more kids involved in baseball, especially in our inner cities, the entire community benefits. Baseball teaches great life skills such as teamwork, commitment, perseverance, and respect. Park Place is proud to join the Rangers in reaching out to kids in our community.”

Texas Rangers President of Baseball Operations & General Manager Jon Daniels with wife Robyn and Rosie & Mike Moncrief, former Fort Worth Mayor

The entire Texas Rangers roster was present, signing autographs and mingling with fans before dinner. The players were joined by manager Ron Washington and coaches Jackie Moore, Mike Maddux, Dave Anderson, Dave Magadan, Andy Hawkins, Gary Pettis and others. Nolan Ryan, Jim Sundberg, Jon Daniels, Rick George and the rest of the front office were there as well as Rangers alumni Rusty Greer, Jim Kern, Jose Guzman, Benji Gil, Mike Munoz, Mike Simms, Mark McLemore and Bobby Witt.

Texas Rangers outfielder David Murphy with Dana & Robert Morris, General Manager, Park Place Motorcars Dallas.

The players are just as competitive off the field as they are on it. Eric Nadel hosted the Game Show Spectacular, which began with four teams of two players competing in a Rangers version of the “$25,000 Pyramid.” Challenged with baseball related categories such as “Rangers Hitters Walk-Up Songs” and “Players who talk a lot” and “Things Ron Washington likes,” hilarity ensued. The category that seemed to stump everyone was “Well-known Beaches.” It seems the ‘boys of summer’ don’t get to the beach much. The game ended in a tie between the teams of David Murphy – Lance Berkman and Ian Kinsler – Mitch Moreland.

Texas Rangers alumni Bobby Witt and Rusty Greer with Jim Sundberg, Texas Rangers Senior Executive Vice President and President, Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation

A fan favorite involves the Rangers’ rookies dressing up and performing, usually in drag. This year, rookies Tanner Scheppers, Leury Garcia, Leonys Martin, Joseph Ortiz and Justin Grimm dressed as Spice Girls and sang and danced to the tune, “Wannabe.”

Park Place Lexus Grapevine GM Gary Venner, Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish, Park Place Jaguar Plano GM Mike Cuzzo and Park Place Lexus President Jordan Case.

No one enjoyed it more than Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, who sat in the front row and videotaped the entire performance. After all, just a few years ago Andrus joined Derek Holland and Matt Harrison on stage for a special rendition of “Afternoon Delight.” You can bet the ‘Spice Girls’ video will be a favorite in the Rangers Clubhouse.

Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux signs an autograph for a young fan.

Finally, the players got to show their athleticism in two rounds of “Minute to Win It.” The first round featured players Derek Lowe, Derek Holland, Geovany Soto, Nelson Cruz, Alexi Ogando, Robbie Ross, Joe Nathan and Michael Kirkman. The players put a pair of pantyhose on their heads, equipped with a baseball in each stocking, then swung them around using only their head and neck muscles to knock over bottles of water. Nelson Cruz finished first. Next, players had a small box of ping pong balls strapped around their waists. They had to salsa dance to get the balls out. Nelson Cruz seemed to be the only player who had even a vague notion what a salsa dance was, so he and Geovany Soto easily swept this competition.



“The Park Place Dealerships Texas Rangers Triple Play is a continued success thanks in large part to our generous sponsors and our highly entertaining players,” said Karin Morris, Executive Director of the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. “The combination of the two brought in record funds this year. These funds will go directly to support kids in our community through many programs including the RBI program (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities), our ‘just keep livin’ after-school wellness programs, and providing more grants through the Foundation’s baseball and softball grant programs.”

Texas Rangers players Lance Berkman, David Murphy, Mitch Moreland and Ian Kinsler

The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of children in need within our community and provides funding for youth in crisis, youth health initiatives, youth baseball programs, and youth education. Celebrating its 22nd year, the Foundation has given back more than $13 million to help children in need.

Texas Rangers players Craig Gentry, A.J. Pierzynski, Adrian Beltre and Elvis Andrus play $25,000 Pyramid.

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership in Dallas. Today, Park Place Dealerships operates 16 full-service dealerships representing Bentley, Jaguar, Lexus, Lotus, Maserati, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, smart, Infiniti, Volvo and Rolls-Royce. In addition, the dealership group includes two Park Place BodyWerks locations. For more information about Park Place Dealerships, visit www.parkplace.com

Texas Rangers broadcaster Eric Nadel with Mitch Moreland and Ian Kinsler.

Texas Rangers broadcaster Eric Nadel with David Murphy and Lance Berkman.

Texas Rangers rookies Joe Ortiz, Justin Grimm, Leonys Martin, Leury Garcia and Tanner Scheppers perform “Wannabee” as the Spice Girls

Texas Rangers rookie Tanner Scheppers performs “Wannabee” as one of the Spice Girls in a Rookie skit.

Park Place Dealerships Director of Fixed Operations Tony Carimi and daughter Kylie with Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish.

Texas Rangers players (L to R) Derek Lowe, Derek Holland, Geovany Soto and Nelson Cruz

Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus sign autographs for fans.

Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish with Kim & Mike Cuzzo, Park Place Jaguar Plano GM.

Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish signs autographs for fans while Rangers coach and interpreter Kenji Nimura looks on.

2013 Texas Rangers Baseball Club