Former No. 1 pick Bush debuts with Rangers

ARLINGTON — Less than seven months after he was released from a Florida prison, Matt Bush is in the Major Leagues.

“It’s a miracle I’m here,” Bush said. “It’s such a dream come true.”

The Rangers called up Bush, a right-handed reliever, from Double-A Frisco on Friday. He has served his time in prison for a third DUI and vehicle collision that almost killed a 72-year-old motorcyclist. He has taken the necessary steps to deal with his alcoholism and get his life under control.

Now, he is part of a Major League bullpen. He made his Major League debut in the ninth inning Friday night in the Rangers’ 5-0 loss to the Blue Jays. Bush had to face right-handed sluggers Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. He struck out Donaldson and retired the other two on popups before leaving to a nice ovation.   “I was just focused on being myself and continue what I was doing in Double-A,” Bush said. “It was pretty surreal having those guys in there. It was just a boost of confidence, to be able to have a good inning like that is awesome.”

“I’m extremely excited. … I feel like jumping up and down,” Bush said before the game. “Knowing how hard I have been working and following the course, it’s unbelievable. It’s hard to explain. Baseball is the easier part. It’s what I am gifted at.

“The battle is off the field. I put myself through a lot, but I’ve learned to take it one day at a time. I know the mistakes I have made, and I don’t want to go through that again.”

Bush was the No. 1 overall pick in the Draft by the Padres in 2004, taken one spot ahead of Justin Verlander. Bush originally was drafted as a shortstop and later switched to pitching. But his career was almost ruined by alcohol, and on March 22, 2012, he was involved in a collision in Port Charlotte, Fla., in which he hit and …

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