Tom Pennington/Getty Images(ARLINGTON, Texas) — He was once the No. 1 pick in the 2004 draft, started his professional career with a suspension before ever taking the field, and now after serving time in prision, he’s been promoted to the majors.
The Texas Rangers have promoted Matt Bush from the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders, 12 years since he was first drafted by the San Diego Padres.
Bush, 30, signed a minor league deal with Texas in December after serving more than three years of jail time for a DUI and causing serious bodily injury in a 2012 crash in Florida, according to ESPN.
Why did the Rangers promote Bush? According to ESPN, the pitcher has been regularly attending an Alcoholics Anonymous program, respects a set curfew, and does not operate motor vehicles.
“That was a consequence for his actions, but from our observations and the people around him who have experience dealing with folks with alcoholism and some of the issues that come with it, [we] feel like he has done very well,” Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said according to ESPN.
Bush told ESPN he liked himself sober.
“I’m not the same person when I drink,” he said to ESPN. “I tend to make horrible choices. I don’t want to be that person ever again. I like myself today being sober. I feel like I’m living a dream and I don’t ever want this to stop.”
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