The current homestand features two Rangers who’ve influenced the organization in their tenure, Elvis Andrus and Nomar Mazara. Now Friday is Elvis’ second stint as a visitor at Globe Life Field as the Athletics and Rangers met June 21-24. The initial ovation for Elvis was loud, and the fans thanked Andrus for his eleven years as the starting shortstop for Texas. It sent shivers down my spine, and I reminisced about the successful clubs Elvis was a part of.

“It’s a great feeling,” Elvis said of returning to Texas on June 21st. “I love the fans, I’ve had so many great memories here, but I’m trying to keep it cool here.” Andrus’ two All-Star appearances in 2010 and 2012 both came in a Rangers uniform.

Athletics Elvis Andrus on his first experience playing in front of people at Globe Life Field. #StraightUpTX #RiseAndGrind @Rangers pic.twitter.com/HMIMhEknQo

— Alex Plinck🏳️‍🌈 (@aplinckTX) June 21, 2021

On the other side, Nomar Mazara was a sixteen-year-old when he signed with the Rangers (July 2nd was the tenth anniversary of Texas signed Nomar). Mazara was a kid that had immense potential and looked at as a player a team could build around. Nomar began his MLB career strong with back-to-back AL rookie of the month awards. Unfortunately, his 2016 rookie season deteriorated, though he finished fifth in rookie of the year in 2016. “It feels great to be here,” Nomar told me. “This is where it all started.”

For both Nomar and Elvis, it was their first opportunity to play at Globe Life Field in front of fans as visitors. “It’s unbelievable,” Andrus told me. “It’s what I thought last year. Unfortunately, last year we didn’t get the opportunity to play with fans, but everybody knows how pumped up I get with the fans.” For Mazara, it was a welcome sight too. “They always treated me well here,” Mazara told me. “[The fans] welcomed me when I came into the big leagues. They loved me, and I got a lot of support from them. [So] it was good to be able to go out there and play.”

Asked Elvis if he keeps in touch with his former mates at the other dugout. #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/lC44ern1D2

— Alex Plinck🏳️‍🌈 (@aplinckTX) June 21, 2021

Both Andrus and Mazara still keep in touch with a few guys in the Rangers dugout, but only a few. The young turnaround among the Texas Rangers from 2019 to last season is staggering. “There is a lot of young guys on [the Rangers]. Even when I was here last year, it’s a completely different mentality,” Elvis told me. “It’s a rebuilding team, and I’m proud of the whole team.” For Nomar he still resides in the Dallas area. Therefore, he remains in contact with teammates from 2019 who also live in the DFW Metroplex. “I always talk to them and reach out,” Mazara told me. “When I’m here in the offseason, and they’re still here, we go out to dinner and spend some time together.”

While Elvis’ legacy staples in Rangers history (one of the longest-tenured players), Mazara did stamp himself in Globe Life Park history with the longest home run ever hit there. Now that Globe Life Field is the Rangers’ home, Mazara’s shot in June 2019 remains at the top.

“I have a lot of friends here, so every time they come here, and they see [Globe Life Park], they send me videos or a pic,” Mazara told me when I asked about the 2019 home run. “It feels good to be out there and put that mark out there.” When it comes to a rebuilding team, situations like this will happen. Players that fans attach to will go other places due to trades and free agency. Players say it all the time. It’s a business.