T.R’s Memoirs: John Blake left his fingerprints all over Texas Rangers with a team-first, no-BS approach to media relations

(Texas Rangers/Kelly Gavin)

Editor’s note: T.R. Sullivan covered the Texas Rangers over 32 years for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and MLB.com, and is sharing his “memoirs” with this newsletter. This installment is about John Blake, the Rangers redoubtable public-relations boss who has helped steer the franchise for 33 years.

In Texas Rangers media history there are three records of longevity that stand out.

Eric Nadel has been a Rangers broadcaster since 1979. That 43-year run is the longest of any broadcaster in Texas history, a record that almost assuredly will never be broken simply because Eric isn’t done. He will be there on Opening Day in 2022.

Secondly, I covered the Rangers for 32 years, beginning in 1989 and ending a year ago today when I officially retired. That means I covered the Rangers longer than anybody, although Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News is at 24 years and counting.

Finally, there is John Blake.