Molina delivers message to Rangers

ARLINGTON Bengie Molina was at Rangers Ballpark Tuesday to collect his American League Championship ring from 2010 and to throw out the first pitch. He was also here to deliver a message to the 2011 Rangers. "That's what I was telling the guys was don't waste the opportunity," the former catcher said. "Don't waste any day. The guys have a very exciting team. They might not see it from the inside out but we see it from the outside." Molina said he had a few teams interested in him following the 2010 season, but nothing materialized. He's keeping busy at home in Arizona with his wife and children. He's also made some road trips to watch his brothers Yadier (St. Louis) and Jose (Toronto) play. Molina, 37, said he misses the game. "I did this for 19 years in the pros," said Molina, who played for four teams in the majors. "It's a process. Everybody when they retire is probably going to go through the same thing. I'm adjusting pretty good." Molina only played in 57 regular season games for the Rangers last year, hitting .240 with two homers and 19 RBIs. But he provided a steadying influence for the Rangers pitching staff during the stretch run and in the playoffs. He also had two of the more memorable hits of the season, collecting a triple to hit for the cycle in Boston and hitting a grand slam in New York in the American League Championship Series. Molina said he's not surprised the pitching staff is doing as well as it is this year. Matt Harrison's victory Monday gave the Rangers five starters with at least 10 victories for the first time in club history. Tuesday's game capped the ring tour for Molina. Molina, who the Rangers acquired from San Francisco last July, received his World Series ring from the Giants in the mail about three weeks ago. He still watches the Rangers play on television and likes what he sees. "I played with them," he said. "Just watching how they go at it every day. How dedicated they are. How they go out and try to beat the team they play every day impresses me."