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Joe Macko, the long-time Rangers clubhouse manager and goodwill ambassador, has passed away today, according to John Blake on Twitter.
Macko was 86 years old.
Macko came to Texas with the Washington Senators when they moved to Texas and became the Rangers in 1972. He was the clubhouse manager for many years, and since retiring in 2001, was involved with the organization as a goodwill ambassador. A plaque was dedicated to him at the ballpark last August:
Longtime Rangers employee & former clubhouse manager, Joe Macko, was honored with a plaque at the ballpark. pic.twitter.com/dxXJb3uD7c
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) August 22, 2014
Joe was a long-time minor league baseball player who also managed in the minor leagues. Joe's son, Steve Macko, was a professional ballplayer who played for the Chicago Cubs in 1979 and 1980, but whose career was cut short due to testicular cancer. Steve passed away in 1981.
Joe Macko was one of those folks whose name was always synonymous with the Rangers, for as far back as I can remember. This is a sad day for the Rangers baseball family.