Nolan Ryan Says These Rangers Are His Best Team

SURPRISE, AZ (AP/CBSDFW.COM) - Texas Rangers president and CEO Nolan Ryan says the team assembling for this spring training is his best.

At a packed news conference Wednesday, the Hall of Fame pitcher spoke of how impressed he is with the team's expensive addition from Japan, right-hander Yu Darvish, then talked of the addiction struggles of outfielder Josh Hamilton and his high expectations for this team.

Ryan based his optimism on the Rangers' talented young starting rotation and the nucleus of good players still in their prime.

"I think he (Darvish) will fit into the clubhouse quite well" said Ryan. "He wants to be one of the guys, and not be treated differently" Nolan replied when asked about his concerns of Darvish acclimating with his new team.

The two-time defending AL-champion Rangers signed Darvish to a six-year, $56 million contract after paying his Japanese club $51.7 million just to have the chance to acquire him.

LISTEN: Nolan Ryan Press Conference from Surprise, Arizona - Part 1

LISTEN: Nolan Ryan Press Conference from Surprise, Arizona - Part 2

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. CBSDFW.COM contributed to this report. All Rights Reserved.)

Also Check Out:

• Sign Linguage: The Best Jeremy Lin Fan Signs
• Drug Bust Ends With 17 TCU Students Arrested
• Some Offended By Half-Staff Flag For Whitney Houston
• Son Of Willie Nelson Works To Make His Own Mark
• Call Of Duty Game Leads To Prank Lewisville 911 Call

In:
• MLB
• Spring Training
• Nolan Ryan