Rangers' Andrus, Chirinos give back at Arlington Life Shelter dinner
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, two current members of the Texas Rangers made an effort to give back to the community on Monday. Shortstop Elvis Andrus and catcher Robinson Chirinos paid a visit to the Arlington Life Shelter, where they helped serve a special holiday dinner to folks in need.
#Rangers @ElvisandrusSS1 on hand to help the @ArlLifeShelter. pic.twitter.com/niud2tLrIp
— Stefan Stevenson (@StevensonFWST) November 24, 2015
For Andrus, whose season ended on a sour note with some ill-timed defensive miscues in Game 5 of the ALDS, the event was an opportunity to continue to move on and remain focused on next season. In addition, the visit to the shelter also provided Andrus, Chirinos, Rangers broadcaster Tom Grieve and former infielder Michael Young to give back.
The Robinson Chirinos Foundation celebrates Thanksgiving at the Arlington Life Shelter tonight. #ThankfulRangers ?⚾️ pic.twitter.com/KDo3w7cl0x
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) November 24, 2015
Serving the community with some friends #ThankfulRangers pic.twitter.com/O1Qnvn1dxw
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) November 24, 2015
During the course of their visit, the Rangers' organization was recognized with a special award: the 2015 Hero of the Homeless Award, given to them by the Arlington Life Shelter.
The Texas Rangers received the @ArlLifeShelter 2015 Hero of the Homeless Award tonight. #ThankfulRangers pic.twitter.com/i68RCtZauV
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) November 24, 2015
Dinner and Autographs. ⚾️?? pic.twitter.com/cxQxgKoL4t
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) November 24, 2015
The visit to the shelter is an annual tradition for the Robinson Chirinos Foundation, and the catcher was joined by his wife and son. As he told MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, the event is one very close to his heart:
"We sometimes forget there are people in need," Chirinos said. "For me to do this and have my wife and son here is a blessing, helping me do what I love to do."
With the 2015 season in the rear-view mirror, Andrus and Chirinos can now focus on the year ahead. On paper, the Rangers should have the pieces necessary to at least compete for another AL West division title in 2016, but general manager Jon Daniels does have some issues to address before Opening Night. One of those decisions concerns the starting catching role - will it be Chirinos? Will it be Chris Gimenez? It's anyone's guess at this point if Daniels will bring in a more established option to be the starting backstop, but for now it's not something Chirinos is thinking about very much:
"That's something … I don't have to make that decision," Chirinos said. "J.D. and the front office … that's their job. My job is to get ready for next year. If I'm going to be the No. 1 guy, I'm going to do what I can to win a ring for this organization."
