Emotional Rangers heap praise on Prince

ARLINGTON — Prince Fielder’s impact on the Rangers was on display on Wednesday during his emotional news conference, during which he announced that his 12-year career had come to an end due to multiple neck surgeries.

Rangers players, coaches, front-office members and other personnel were all in attendance as Fielder fought back tears with his two sons, Jadyn and Haven, and agent Scott Boras by his side.

He wasn’t the only one fighting back emotions.

“It was tough, man. I was holding back tears the whole time,” Ian Desmond said. “To go out there like Prince has done his whole career and compete on a daily basis at an extremely high level shows his love for the game.”

• Prince announces end of playing career

“It’s an emotional day for the entire baseball community; emotional day all around,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. “He’s a teammate, that’s what he is. I think the highest praise that I can give him is that he’s our teammate. He’s as important to this organization and this fanbase as the players that are on the field right now.”

Nobody on the Rangers was as close to Fielder — at least in terms of clubhouse proximity — than first baseman Mitch Moreland. Their lockers were right next to each other, and it was not uncommon after games to see Fielder and Moreland high-fiving each other’s children.

“Half the time they had their shoes in my locker. They were out here a lot, out here having fun,” Moreland said of Fielder’s sons. “They put a smile on everybody’s face. They loved it …

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