Last Friday, Nov. 17, the Texas Rangers, with help from World Series champion second baseman Marcus Semien and pitcher Andrew Heaney, held the annual Thanksgiving dinner distribution event at its West Dallas Youth Academy.

Youth Academy families and community members from surrounding neighborhoods were invited to attend the event hosted by the Rangers in conjunction with partners Buckner International and Kroger.

A total of 250 families benefited from the distribution, where they received full-sized frozen turkeys, pumpkin pie and an assortment of traditional Thanksgiving sides.

“Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday,” said Semien. “There are no presents, but I think it’s a gift just to be with everybody.

“I have a large family now, and we get to make memories and enjoy good food, and we're here at the Academy to help families enjoy that same thing. Not everybody is blessed to be able to get that big meal, and the Rangers are doing a great job of providing that.”

“Everybody here is just happy to have a good meal, to gather around with family and friends, and just enjoy each other's company and the presence of loved ones, and that’s something that we should all take time to appreciate,” added Heaney.

Semien, a regular at the Youth Academy, and Heaney, who visited for the first time since signing with the Rangers in Dec. 2022, were both cheerfully greeted by fans thrilled to receive a holiday meal and take a few photos with the new World Series champs.