SAGINAW, Texas -- When Yovani Gallardo shows up in Surprise for spring training it's doubtful his first Arizona bullpen session will be able to top the one he had Sunday.
Gallardo had a crowd of more than 100 people watching him throw as well as a disc jockey blaring music in the background during his throwing session at the Dynasty Baseball Academy. The academy is owned by Gallardo's friend Julian Martinez and Gallardo followed the throwing session by signing autographs for more than two hours.
Here's another view of Yovani Gallardo throwing session. Soundtrack at no extra charge. https://t.co/51NSmyj9ku
— Anthony Andro (@aandro) February 15, 2015
Here is a clip of throwing session of Rangers pitcher Yovani Gallardo. https://t.co/RYWfM8N3W7
— Anthony Andro (@aandro) February 15, 2015
Gallardo, who went to high school at Trimble Tech and lives in the area, likes having the opportunity to help out his friends especially since he's now pitching for his hometown team.
"It's part of it especially when you're at home," said Gallardo, who will report with the rest of the Rangers pitchers and catchers Friday. "I enjoy doing this. It helps the kids out. It gives them something to look forward to whether it's baseball or another sport. When they grow up this allows them to have the opportunity to know they can do whatever they want to in life."
Gallardo said he looked forward to having opportunities like the one he had Sunday once he became a professional. He spent as much time Sunday talking with old friends as he did signing autographs and taking pictures. He also had his children and father on hand and got a visit from members of the Trimble Tech baseball team.
And then there was the DJ-fueled bullpen.
"It was definitely a first," Gallardo said of the bullpen. "The guy who runs this place (Martinez) is a good friend of mine. Whenever he asked me if I wanted to do it I told him I'd do whatever I could to help him out. He teaches kids the right way to play the game and that's very important. You want to compete the right way and teach them the way of going about playing the he game."
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