GOOD NEWS: Josh Smith’s Double Battle — How the Rangers Utility Star Fights for a Starting Spot on the Field While Preparing to Welcome His First Daughter Home
The Texas heat doesn’t bother Josh Smith anymore. What weighs on his mind these days isn’t just his next start, or his next swing — it’s time. Time spent between the game that defines him and the family that’s about to change him forever.
In a rare, candid moment before batting practice, Smith smiled nervously and said, “We’re having a baby girl.” The words came out like a fastball he wasn’t ready for — powerful, humbling, and completely life-altering.
The Rangers’ quiet utility man — a grinder who plays anywhere, hits when called upon, and rarely makes headlines — is suddenly balancing two of the most demanding jobs imaginable: fighting for a permanent spot in the majors while preparing to become a father for the first time.
“It’s crazy,” Smith admitted. “You’re trying to prove yourself every day, but at the same time, you’re trying to make sure you’re there for the biggest moment of your life. I just don’t want to miss it.”
The confession struck a chord. In a sport where mental toughness is everything, vulnerability like that is rare. Yet for Smith, this season isn’t just about performance. It’s about identity.
He’s not the kind of player who draws cameras or viral moments. He’s the kind who stays late for extra reps, fields grounders until his hands sting, and studies pitchers under the dim light of a tablet on long flights. Coaches love him. Teammates trust him. Fans often overlook him.
“Josh is one of those guys who holds everything together,” said manager Bruce Bochy. “You don’t always see it in the box score, but his presence matters — in the clubhouse, in the dugout, everywhere.”
Now, with a child on the way, that same quiet consistency is being tested in a new way. His wife, Caroline, is due in the middle of the season, and Smith has already told team officials that he might have to miss a few games when the time comes. “Baseball’s important,” he said, “but this is bigger than baseball.”
Still, the reality isn’t easy. Every at-bat feels heavier. Every slump feels louder. The competition for roster spots in Texas is fierce — and Smith knows that in this league, opportunities can vanish overnight. “If I play well, maybe I’m here when she’s born,” he said. “If I don’t, maybe I’m back in the minors. That’s the truth.”
It’s a brutal balance — one that so many professional athletes face but few talk about. The relentless grind of proving yourself collides with the human need to be present for life’s milestones. “You dream about both things your whole life,” Smith said. “To play in the big leagues. To be a dad. You just hope you can do both well.”
His teammates have rallied around him, offering advice and perspective. Veteran catcher Jonah Heim, himself a father, told him: “You’ll find a way. It’s not about perfection — it’s about showing up when it counts.”
And Smith plans to do just that. Whether he’s standing in the batter’s box under the Arlington lights or in a hospital room holding his newborn daughter, his mission remains the same — to fight with everything he has, for the people he loves.
“When she’s old enough,” Smith said, smiling, “I want her to know her dad never stopped trying — not on the field, not at home.”
It’s not the kind of quote that makes headlines. But in a world obsessed with stats and speed, it’s a reminder that the strongest players aren’t just measured by their swings — but by their hearts.
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