Hank Blalock Moving to First Base

Hank Blalock of the Texas Rangers is going to move to first base after he gets off the DL. Blalock, who has nearly 700 career games at third base, will make the switch over to first base in a move aimed at helping the Rangers become a better team.

The Rangers began the season with Ben Broussard at first base but he was waived after an unproductive start to the season. Since Blalock has been on the DL, Ramon Vazquez has hit well for Texas. Vazquez is hitting .333 with two homers and seven RBIs.

Blalock was having a good 2008 campaign before his injury. He’s hitting .299 on the season with three homeruns and seven RBIs.

The idea for the move came from Blalock himself. According to reports, he has watched the Rangers play without him and personally decided that the team would be helped most if he played first base. Coaches for the Rangers agreed and gave Blalock the green light to start working on his first baseman skills.

The Rangers currently sit in third place in the AL West with a record of 22-23. The Los Angeles Angels lead the division with a 26-20 record.

Photo: Newscom