Many students know Andie Malloy, she’s a senior and a volleyball player in addition to an art student. Her athletic ability must run in the family. The Red Ledger recently sat down with her father, Bob, a former Texas Ranger. Although he was down with a cold, Mr Malloy made some time to talk about his experience with the Rangers, his overall baseball career and more.
RL: So, Mr. Malloy, you were a Texas Ranger, could you tell us a little bit about that?
Malloy: Well, I was drafted by the Rangers back in 1985 and I actually had an unfortunate event happen my senior year in college where I broke my leg. I was in a full-length leg cast for about 8 months and the Rangers actually still drafted me. Instead of being drafted up high I ended up being drafted in the 21st round, I think. I was injured when I was drafted and I actually moved down to Texas after graduating at the University of Virginia, and I worked out at the Arlington Stadium. At the end of the year I was invited to go to the Instructional (Minor) League, which was in Florida for about a month and a half. At the end of that I was able to pitch one inning and then I came back to Texas to wait for Spring Training. When Spring Training rolled around I still had a brace on and a protector for my leg. It was my lower leg- my landing leg is what got broken by a line drive in college. I went to Spring Training and worked out with the AA team and I was going to start with them, but instead I went to the South Atlantic League and went to Gastonia, North Carolina. I started there and did pretty well, and I actually got called up from there.
How well did you do?
Well, I think I was 6-0. My first team I had Sammy Sosa in right field and Juan Gonzalez in left field. My roommate was Dean Palmer. In the games, they just seemed to play well when I pitched. So, I did well and I think because I actually worked out at Arlington Stadium and got to know the coaches, I think they felt comfortable that if they brought me up, even for low-A ball, that I would be able to handle it. So I got called up to the Big Leagues from the South Atlantic League. So, I was there for about a month and got 2 starts in; one against Detroit and the other one against the Chicago White Sox. I ended up going back down to the Minor Leagues to play AA and finished the year there. Even though I played for the Rangers, it wasn’t a whole lot more than a couple cups of coffee, but it was a great experience.
What did you learn from your baseball experience?
I learned a lot of stuff. You learn not to take things for granted even though it’s a game. You would love to play it for a long period of time and you’ve gotta really take care of yourself. You know, looking back, there’s certain things I would have changed, do a little bit different; not throw as much as I did, learned about, you know, the importance of making strong friendships and several of the guys I played with I’m good friends with today.
You were on a team with Sammy Sosa and Dean Palmer. Are you still in contact with any of them?
No, even though I played with those guys for parts of two years they kind of moved onward and upward, and I lost contact with them. But if we were to see each other today it’d be a fun time. But for the most part, most of the guys I’m talking about are the guys I spent time with in the Minor Leagues. I got to meet some pretty good people, their whole families, spouses, and kids.
What are you doing now for a living?
I am in pharmaceutical sales. I’ve been doing that ever since I got out of baseball. I played with the Rangers organization for three years and then I went to the (Montreal) Expos and played with them for 3 years. So after six years of playing I went into sales.
What advice do you have for any burgeoning baseball players?
It’s a journey- it’s great to succeed and win but there will be inevitably times where you don’t do as well as you’d like to do. But the important thing is to take a balance and just not get too high or too low. And don’t give up- for me it was being in the right place at the right time. They could have easily brought somebody up from AAA, but nobody was playing as well. I would really, really stress to just doing your best at all times.
How long had you been playing baseball until you were drafted into the Rangers?
I started when I was 7 years old, so we’re talking senior year in college… Probably 14 years or so.
That’s a good number.
Yeah, I’ve played every year since I’ve started.
Now I have to ask you: Who are you rooting for to win the World Series?
Aww, you have to ask that question?
Yeah, I have too.
I’m a Rangers fan still- I still follow them closely. I hope the Rangers will be able to do well tonight.
