Rangers Honored

The Hispanic Caucus at the Kennedy School of Government honored ten members of the Texas Rangers baseball team yesterday, calling them ideal role models.

The eight players, and the team's coach and assistant trainer, "exemplify young people who have stuck with what they believed in," said Phyllis Barajas, assistant dean for human resources at the Kennedy School.

The team members, who all hail from Puerto Rico, Cuba or the Dominican Republic, drew praise for their work with Latino youth in education in front of a crowd of more than 100 at bell Hall.

"They teach other young people that otheroptions are available" than a life on the streets,Barajas said.

Members of the Hispanic Caucus said that theevent was also meant to acknowledge the baseballteam's willingness to recognize the contributionsof its Latino players.

The Rangers are made of the "right stuff,"

And Luis Rodriguez Mayoral, vice-president ofthe team, highlighted the important role whichLatinos have played in the major leagues.

"The history of Latinos in the major leagues istruly rich in accomplishment," he said.

Mayoral called yesterday's ceremony "animportant moment for us, for our people, and forour country."

"Sports and baseball has been the mosteffective medium in uniting humanity," Mayoralsaid. "What the Rangers are saying is that ifyou're good enough to play in the major leagues,you can play for us. Where you come from does notmatter."

One honoree at the event--Rangers outfielderJohn Calengosi--offered some words of advice forhis audience, a majority of which was comprisedLatino youths from the Caballeros de Colon, a RedSox rookie league in Jamaica Plains.

"Stay in school, work hard and stay off drugs,"Calengosi said. "Be an example, and not afollower."

And Calengosi's message was affirmed by LeaguePresident Luis A. Rodriguez Jr.

"I want to make them realize that very few makeit into the big leagues," Rodriguez said."Baseball is an avenue to stay off the streets."

In addition to Calengosi, the caucus alsohonored Ruben Sierra, who plays right field; JoseGuzman, who pitches; Ivan Rodriguez, who catches;Rafael Palmeiro, who plays first base; JulioFranco, who plays second base; Dickie Thon, whoplays shortstop; Juan Gonzalez, who playsoutfield; Ray Ramirez, who serves as assistanttrainer; and Orlando Gomez, who coaches

"They teach other young people that otheroptions are available" than a life on the streets,Barajas said.

Members of the Hispanic Caucus said that theevent was also meant to acknowledge the baseballteam's willingness to recognize the contributionsof its Latino players.

The Rangers are made of the "right stuff,"

And Luis Rodriguez Mayoral, vice-president ofthe team, highlighted the important role whichLatinos have played in the major leagues.

"The history of Latinos in the major leagues istruly rich in accomplishment," he said.

Mayoral called yesterday's ceremony "animportant moment for us, for our people, and forour country."

"Sports and baseball has been the mosteffective medium in uniting humanity," Mayoralsaid. "What the Rangers are saying is that ifyou're good enough to play in the major leagues,you can play for us. Where you come from does notmatter."

One honoree at the event--Rangers outfielderJohn Calengosi--offered some words of advice forhis audience, a majority of which was comprisedLatino youths from the Caballeros de Colon, a RedSox rookie league in Jamaica Plains.

"Stay in school, work hard and stay off drugs,"Calengosi said. "Be an example, and not afollower."

And Calengosi's message was affirmed by LeaguePresident Luis A. Rodriguez Jr.

"I want to make them realize that very few makeit into the big leagues," Rodriguez said."Baseball is an avenue to stay off the streets."

In addition to Calengosi, the caucus alsohonored Ruben Sierra, who plays right field; JoseGuzman, who pitches; Ivan Rodriguez, who catches;Rafael Palmeiro, who plays first base; JulioFranco, who plays second base; Dickie Thon, whoplays shortstop; Juan Gonzalez, who playsoutfield; Ray Ramirez, who serves as assistanttrainer; and Orlando Gomez, who coaches