Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers and Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman are set to throw out the ceremonial first pitches at the Texas Rangers game on June 18 at Globe Life Field, when the Rangers face the Kansas City Royals.
The news was shared Wednesday on X (formerly Twitter) by MLB.com Rangers beat reporter Kennedi Landry and marks another major moment in the spotlight for Bueckers, the WNBA’s top draft pick.
The honor follows a standout week for Bueckers, who made a triumphant return to the court Wednesday night after missing four games with a concussion and illness. Despite the Wings’ 93-80 loss to the Phoenix Mercury, Bueckers put on a historic performance with a career-high 35 points. She became just the second rookie in WNBA history—joining Caitlin Clark—to notch at least 35 points and five three-pointers in a game. She also tallied six rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block, while shooting an efficient 13-of-19 from the field and 5-of-7 from three-point range.
“Being back felt amazing,” Bueckers told ClutchPoints’ Joey Mistretta. “Basketball is something I love, and I love this team. We’re all focused on improving and growing together.”
Though she admitted to feeling “winded” in her first game back, Bueckers expressed gratitude for her health and the chance to compete again. The Wings dropped to 1-10 with the loss, but Bueckers’ stellar play gave fans a glimpse of her potential impact.
The upcoming first pitch will be one of Bueckers’ first major public recognitions since entering the league.
Rangers finding rhythm this season as Wings struggle
While the ceremonial first pitch featuring Paige Bueckers and Nancy Lieberman will bring added spotlight to Globe Life Field, the Texas Rangers are focused on building momentum on the diamond.
The defending World Series champions have gone 4-3 over their last seven games, a stretch that included a dominant 16-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. They split their weekend series with the Washington Nationals, offering glimpses of the offensive firepower that carried them in 2023.
However, consistency remains an issue. A 2-0 loss to the Nationals on June 6 and a 6-2 defeat to the Twins on June 11 underscored the team’s ongoing struggles with run production.
Despite those setbacks, Texas has stayed in the thick of the AL West race thanks to its lineup depth and timely hitting. After securing a series win in Minnesota, the Rangers return to Arlington for matchups against the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals, aiming to build on their recent success.
