Googled him and read an article where he turned it down two years ago. Someone was quoted as saying he's built up a wall on certain subjects and no one is breaking it down.

I'm trying to remember but cant, did something happen to piss him off? His son was there, big kid just finished playing football at tarleton state the article said.

http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/2015/07/juan-gonzalez-jeff-russell-enter-rangers-hall-of-fame.html/

He was mourning the death of his mother in Puerto Rico.

Thinking it was contract issue? Can't remember though

Death in the family. If he was just being a PITA, I doubt he would have sent his son in his place. His son, btw, is a big friggin dude.

For some context, Tom Grieve is 6'2"

Will never forget getting his autograph the night before the all-star break in 1998. He hit two homeruns off of Randy Johnson, to give him 101 rbi at the break on his way to mvp that season.

Juan-Gone was a Yankee killer too

His son was listed as 6'3"/275 and was an OL.

Pudge mentioned that Juan had a wall built up between he and the Rangers, and uncertainty about him coming was in doubt even before his mother passed. As far back as 2013, the Rangers couldn't get him to answer the call.

This article from 2013 helps ...

http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/07/horn-family-friends-can-only-guess-as-to-why-juan-gonzalez-declined-rangers-hall-of-fame.html/

One of the many things Hicks did wrong. AFAIK, he is the only owner to ever indict his own player for PEDs.

quote:

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"Juan Gonzalez for $24 million after he came off steroids, probably, we just gave that money away," Hicks said.

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Juan was never a big media guy. When your owner makes comments like the above, it kinda sours anyone.

Many have tried to reach out to him, and I would have thought seeing the crowd would help mend that, but some people never mend. I think his son risks being alienated if he isn't careful. I've known guys like that that will cut off anyone who reveals things they consider private and don't want people to know.

More comments from Hicks:

quote:

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"His number of injuries and early retirement just makes me suspicious. In any event, we paid him $24 million for very few games."

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http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2910661

quote:

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"That kind of rhetoric does not deserve a response, because it's so irresponsible," said Gonzalez's agent, Al Nero.

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Is Tom Grieve ill?

Don't think so, at least nothing disclosed. But he's old - pushing 70.

He doesn't travel with the team, anymore (and he takes time off during home game, IIRC).

To be with family.

Unless I've missed something, he's still traveling with the team, but he's taking 30 games off this year. He took 25 off last year. Overall, just seems to be scaling back and taking some breaks, but it's not really new this year. And they do have Mark Mclemore joining the both for a couple of innings every home game, although Grieve doesn't disappear during those segments. But it does allow for stepping back a bit.

quote:

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One of the many things Hicks did wrong. AFAIK, he is the only owner to ever indict his own player for PEDs.

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Did Hicks say anything that wasn't true?