Last weekend, Dallas' Madison Kocian, part of the "Final 5," gold-medal winning US women's gymnastics team, was presenting a VMA award to Beyonce. On Saturday, she was receiving an autographed bat from Adrian Beltre before throwing out the first pitch before the Rangers-Astros game.
This was not some ceremonial first pitch for Kocian. This was a big deal for the lifelong Rangers fan.
For evidence, consider her answer when asked about meeting Beyonce vs. Beltre.
"That's hard, but I'd have to go with Beltre," Kocian said. "Beyonce was very nice and it was awesome meeting her with my teammates and presenting her award (at the VMAs), but I have to go with Beltre. I am a very big Rangers fan."
The uneven bars star performed a handstand, then tumbled out, grabbed the ball and threw a strike to Jeff Banister.
Kocian related that as far back as she can remember she's been a Rangers fan. The story in her family is her father, Thomas, had to be pulled away from a Rangers game on June 14, 1997 when Kocian's mother, Cindy, went into labor.
Kocian will also throw out the first pitch Sunday during an appearance at the Frisco RoughRiders game. Her parents said Saturday that throwing out a first pitch at a Rangers game has been a lifelong dream on par with winning an Olympic gold medal.
