The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ANTOAN Richardson didn’t have the type of year he anticipated with the Texas Rangers, but the talented outfielder is confident that he will be back to make a contribution to another Major League Baseball team in 2016.

Richardson, who was home briefly to make a presentation to his alma mater at St Anne’s High School, was granted free agency by the Rangers on October 25, after he underwent successful surgery for his broken right foot on October 6, two days before he celebrated his 31st birthday.

“The goal right now is to start running on January 1, so I’m looking forward to the new year,” said Richardson, who is undergoing therapy in Florida. “Hopefully in February, I will be able to do all the things that I was able to do before surgery. But I just came out of the boot about a week and-a-half ago and so I’ve been making baby steps. But the goal right now is January 1 to start doing some light jogging and stuff like that.”

Coming off the disabled list after undergoing surgery for his back, Richardson was playing in a rehabilitation game when he got hit by a pitch in the last inning. But because of the precautionary measures, Richardson said he is taking it slowly because he doesn’t want to jeopardise his future.

“Everyone wants to make sure this time that it’s healed 100 per cent before moving forward with an activity,” he said.

As the only Bahamian playing right now in the Majors, Richardson said he’s hoping that he will sign with his new team in the next few days as there has been a lot of interest in his health.

“I’m just grateful that I have a few options this year since I didn’t play last year,” Richardson said. “So I’m pretty excited about that. But I’m looking forward to locking down a team for next year. I’m hoping that I can go to a team that I can help win, so we’re trying to narrow it down right now.”

Before he suffered the broken leg on July 28, Richardson played about 10 games for the Rangers’ affiliates Round Rock Express and AZL Rangers where he averaged .216 with an 8-for-16 plate appearance with two runs batted in (RBI) and seven more scored this year.

“It was a tough pill for me to swallow,” he said. “It was a new experience. It was something that I’ve never experienced before, but something that I had to learn to accept. It gave me the ability for my body to rest up and it taught me some new ways to appreciate my body going forth in this game.

“I need to know for sure that I’m doing the right things with my body so that I can play as long as possible, as long as I’m having fun playing the game.”

While his return home was a quick one, Richardson thanked his sponsor New Balance for affording him the opportunity to give back to St Anne’s School. He got the school to nominate two persons from the primary school and two from the high school, whom he presented with sweat suits, tennis shoes and backpacks.

The recipients were fifth graders Savannah Knowles and Shiloh Bullard, ninth grader Simone Hanna and 10th grader Omavi Collison.

“It was very enjoyable. I get more out of those things than the kids,” Richardson said. “I enjoyed it thoroughly to be able to come back and encourage and donate to the school. It’s always a thrill for me to be able to give back to my alma mater and encourage them to do some more things.”