There was a Liberty University connection celebrating on the field with the 2023 World Series Champion Texas Rangers after they won the franchise’s first-ever title on Nov. 1. Tony Beasley, the Rangers’ third-base coach, is a former Flames infielder, playing in the 1988 and 1989 seasons.
At Liberty, Beasley was a leadoff hitter and the starting second baseman. In 1989, he hit a stellar .345 and stole 24 bases, earning him team MVP honors. He was drafted in the 19th round of the 1989 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles and spent the next eight seasons as an infielder for multiple Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates affiliates. He ended his playing career in 1998 and has spent 23 years coaching at the major and minor league levels. He has earned multiple coaching awards, such as Baseball America’s Double-A Manager of the Year in 2004.
Beasley joined the Texas Rangers in 2015. He missed the 2016 season due to a cancer diagnosis. Last season, he was named the team’s interim manager with 48 games remaining following the dismissal of Chris Woodward.
Earlier this year, Beasley spoke with Liberty Athletics’ “Boys of Summer” podcast, where he shared about the impact Liberty University has had on his life. He said he committed to Liberty because Head Coach Bob Woodson gave him a chance to compete for a starting position at second base or shortstop when other schools only wanted him to pitch. Once on campus, he saw Woodson living out his Christian faith, and that encouraged him to deepen his own personal relationship with Jesus.
“I wasn’t 100% Liberty material when I got there, but within a month I felt like I was Liberty material because it impacted and changed my life so much,” he said. “(Between) the school, the student body, and the whole gambit of it, I saw Christianity on a whole other level, and I knew I needed to be a part of that. I got to know who God was at Liberty, and I thank Bob Woodson for that.”
Beasley has continued to boldly share his faith on a daily basis, including in his role with the Rangers. In his social media posts, he shares the message of salvation and provides spiritual encouragement. On Oct. 30, before Game 3 of the series against the Diamondbacks, he appeared on MLB Network’s pregame show wearing a “JESUS WON” T-shirt, which was first sported by Rangers rookie Evan Carter.
Beasley said on the podcast that he hopes to be a light for Christ in whatever place God directs him.
“I think people are watching our lives and want to know if our actions line up with what we are saying and who we are saying we are. When you are consistent in your living, and your walk and your talk match, they will look at you and notice that something is different.”
