ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Elvis Andrus wasn't going to sit out the season finale of the long-eliminated Texas Rangers, not even on a scorching afternoon that illustrated why Globe Life Park is getting replaced after just 26 seasons.
"I know it's super hot, but it's a lot of memories throughout the game," Andrus said of the park where he debuted as a 20-year-old a decade ago and played in the club's only two World Series in 2010 and '11.
On the seventh day of the fall, the temperature reached the mid-90s for a sellout crowd that included former President George W. Bush, who was the managing partner of the club when the ballpark opened in 1994.
After a 6-1 victory over the New York Yankees, a parade long enough to make a ring around the field took home plate across the street to Globe Life Field. The retractable-roof stadium, which officially opens with a March 31 game against the Los Angeles Angels, will have the option of air conditioning once the Texas heat kicks in next spring and summer.
"I do think there is a need for it," former Texas outfielder Rusty Greer said. "At some point, if they're ever going to build a new stadium, then obviously it's got to be covered with AC. Because if not, then there would be no reason to build one."
Greer was among 15 former Rangers introduced as part of the all-time Globe Life Park team. Hall of Fame catcher Pudge Rodriquez also made the finale, as did Adrian Beltre, a little more than two years after getting his 3,000th hit in the park he called home for his final eight seasons.
The former Rangers hopped in pickups for the short ride across the street along with hundreds of fans headed by a police escort and a firetruck.
Richard Greene, who was mayor for the city's vote to approve the stadium's funding and during the building and opening of what was then known as The Ballpark in Arlington, was part of the ceremonial transfer of home plate.
The Rangers called on a little history to close the old place, beginning with the national anthem played by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra , just as it was 25 years earlier when the pianist Van Cliburn also was part of the rendition.
The crowd of 44,144 — bringing the park's final total to 66,744,029 — went wild when strikeout king Nolan Ryan emerged from the dugout to throw out the ceremonial first pitch to Kenny Rogers, who threw Globe Life's only perfect game in its debut season.
The fans didn't seem to care that Ryan, who had the last two of his record seven no-hitters with the Rangers, bounced the pitch. They were just happy to see the tall Texan six years after he resigned as team president — he later became a consultant for rival Houston.