Rangers Women’s Club takes on All-Star role for baseball summer classic

ARLINGTON — Baseball fans who flocked to Globe Life Field for the MLB All-Star Game this Tuesday were greeted by a sisterhood of the Rangers’ biggest fans. The Texas Rangers Women’s Club has supported the team and the community for half a century and has been brought together by “the love of baseball,” said club treasurer Mary Ann Kelly.

On game day, the group can be found outside the stadium gates in red t-shirts, handing out merchandise and greeting fans from near and far. They arrive hours before the game to hand out bobbleheads, jerseys, scarves, hats and other items depending on the game and what the promotions team decides to hand out.

Linda Cooley has been a member since 1998. She attended the All-Star game wearing baseball cap earrings and a Texas Rangers fanny pack. She said there is nothing more fulfilling than giving an item to a child who comes to the stadium and seeing a look of surprise on their face. She has seen children cry with happiness when they receive an item.

“They can’t believe they’re going to get something just for coming to the game,” Cooley said.

At the All-Star Game, the club handed out MLB-branded cooling towels to the first 40,000 people to attend the game — a way to beat the Texas heat, said George Harris, promotions director for Globe Life. The club normally hands out about 15,000 Rangers-branded items. Harris said the women’s club helps stadium staff keep up with fan demand for promotional items.

“(The club members) are Rangers brothers and sisters,” Harris said. “It’s a great group of ladies… They’re fun to be around, fun to work hand in hand with.”

Club members volunteer their time to distribute goods, but their organization is compensated for their volunteer work. Club members can stay and watch the game and purchase half-price tickets. Outside of games, the group volunteers in the community, donates money and invites guest speakers.

“We love being here, that’s why we’re in this club,” Kelly said. “It’s hard to put a price on that.”

The club has been supporting the Rangers for 50 years now. The group was founded in 1974, making it just two years younger than the Rangers in Arlington. It now has almost 180 members and around 80 of them attended the All-Star game on Tuesday.

Mary Humphus is one of four founding members who have been with the organization since its inception. At 94, she attends games and even drives other members to Globe Life. In 2019, she threw out the first pitch at a game.

“And I got it on my plate too,” said Humphus.

Every member will tell you the same reason for joining the club: they all love baseball. But they have also formed a sisterhood and made many lifelong friends.

“We have the best group of ladies. There is so much camaraderie,” Humphus said.

The women will tell you they are the only women’s club in MLB. And they are growing, Kelly said, with an influx of new members after the Rangers’ World Series victory. Many members have seen the Rangers in various stadiums and in multiple World Series attempts.

“When we went (to the World Series) the third time, I said … good things come in threes. We’ve got to do it this time,” Cooley said. “I was so excited, you can’t imagine.”

The group is still enjoying the energy of the Rangers’ 2023 World Series victory.

“We run out of giveaways very quickly,” said club member Leanne Haynes. “The fans are streaming in and everyone is happy and excited and wants to be at the game… You can tell they’re still on the high of a World Series win.”

The All-Star Game was another big hit for the club, welcoming tourists from across the country to Globe Life.

“Seeing fans who are either here for the first time or bringing their kids to the game for the first time is magical,” Haynes said.

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