Bush’s rookie season an inspiration to Rangers

ARLINGTON — Rangers right-hander Matt Bush won’t win a Comeback Player of the Year Award, given that this is his rookie season. In fact, his teammate, Ian Desmond, is a pretty solid candidate to take home that prize.

But it would be tough to find a better comeback story than the one the 30-year-old Bush has put together this season. At this time last year, he was serving out the waning days of what ended up being a 39-month stay in prison for a DUI causing great bodily injury at a work release center in Jacksonville, Fla.

Now he’s a prominent late-innings reliever for the American League West champion Rangers, and they expect his upper-90s fastball to help lead them to their first World Series title.

“I’m just happy to be here, happy to be with this team,” Bush said. “I’m happy to have a job in society and that it’s with the Texas Rangers. It’s a thrill to still have a job and still play baseball, really.”

Game Date Time Matchup TV Gm 1 Oct. 6 4:30 p.m. WC @ TEX TBS Gm 2 Oct. 7 1 p.m. WC @ TEX TBS Gm 3 Oct. 9 7:30 p.m. TEX @ WC TBS *Gm 4 Oct. 10 TBD TEX @ WC TBS *Gm 5 Oct. 12 TBD WC @ TEX TBS *- If necessary | All times listed ETShop for postseason gear: Rangers • Complete Postseason coverage

Bush’s route to his Major League debut has been well-documented. He was originally sentenced to 51 months in prison for the DUI. Before that, he faced several other legal troubles after being selected No. 1 overall by the Padres in the 2004 Draft as a shortstop out of Mission Bay High in San Diego.

This season, Bush’s struggles have been few and far between since his callup on May 13. His 2.48 ERA is 12th-lowest among AL relievers with at least 60 …

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