Rangers still helping West, Texas, after explosion

Photo By Rebecca Malzahn | Focus Editor
Photo By Rebecca Malzahn | Focus Editor

By Stephen Hawkins
Associated Press Sports Writer

WEST, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers have made a stop in the Central Texas town devastated by a deadly fertilizer plant explosion last year.

The team has donated $50,000 to help renovate a park across from the plant site with a new playground and a memorial to the 15 people killed in the explosion.

Among those taking part in the Rangers caravan Tuesday was former major league outfielder Scott Podsednik, who says the team has been incredible and generous to his hometown.

Podsednik played high school baseball 20 years ago on a field adjacent to that park. He was drafted by the Rangers, but played parts of 11 major league seasons with seven other teams.