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M O N D A Y , J U L Y 2 , 2012
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Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton received more than 11 million votes to start in next week’s All-Star Game in Kansas City. He is one of seven Ranger players selected to the AL team.
Hamilton top vote-getter for All-Star Game The Associated Press
MAD DOG A look back at Edgar Ross, a Tuscaloosa boxing champion in the 1970s with a reputation for toughness and a love for violence, who died at the age of 64 By Tommy Deas Executive Sports Editor
NEW YORK | Josh Hamilton is set to lead a Texas parade to the All-Star game. Now, fans will decide if Chipper Jones gets one final appearance or whether it’s time for teen sensation Bryce Harper. Hamilton drew a record total of more than 11 million votes, and the slugger was among seven Rangers chosen Sunday as All-Stars. A trio of San Francisco Giants rallied in the last week to claim spots while three Yankees also made the starting lineup. “I don’t think the Texas Rangers have to apologize because we’ve got good players,” A L manager Ron WashINSIDE ington of Texas said. “I certainly didn’t pick BASEBALL: my guys being selfish, Fan voting results for the I picked them very deserving of being AllMLB All-Star Game | 2C Stars, bottom line.” Washington fastballer Stephen Strasburg and Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey were two of the 66 players chosen by fans, managers and big leaguers for the showcase July 10 in Kansas City. So was 20-year-old Angels rookie outfielder Mike Trout, who leads the majors in hitting and drew more than 800,000 write-in votes. Few of the races for starting spots were close and there seemed to be little complaining about the fans’ choices. OK, sure, David Wright could’ve gotten the nod over Pablo Sandoval. But there certainly will be campaigning this week when it comes to Jones and Harper after they were left off — for now, anyway. The NL and AL each have one spot left, with fans voting online through Thursday to select one of five candidates in both leagues. Jones and Harper are two of the NL possibilities. At 40, Jones is a seven-time All-Star and plans to retire after this season. Banged up, the Atlanta third baseman has managed to hit near .300. At 19, Harper started the season in Triple-A. The Washington outfielder has dazzled since his promotion with his bat, arm and flat-out hustle. “I’m an old-timer, so I’d probably lean toward Chipper,” NL manager Tony La Russa said on the TBS selection show. SEE A LL -STAR | 5C
The little old man, the one with the backpack and the crooked nose, walked to and from the Wal-Mart in Dothan. Few knew his story. Some days, he didn’t know it himself. Edgar “Mad Dog” Ross, a Tuscaloosa native who was a North American boxing champion and highly ranked junior middleweight contender in the 1970s, died in obscurity 11 days ago in Grimes, a community of less than 500 on the outskirts of Dothan. He was 64. Besides some relatives and a few friends, few knew he had built a 50-fi ght undefeated streak — longest in the sport at the time — going into his fi nal fi ght. Or that he was both a celebrated athlete and a notorious brawler in his hometown.
Lost memories Seizures and short-term memory loss dominated Ross’ final years, his brain rattled by too many blows to
the head — both from his boxing matches and from countless street fights before. He moved into a trailer behind a family farm in early 2010, unable to care for himself. A cousin served as roommate and caretaker, making sure he didn’t leave a stove lit or otherwise harm himself. “He had good times and bad times,” said Ross’ aunt, Sharon Price, whose family owns the property on which Ross lived. “I think it was caused from some damage during his fighting. He could remember the old times and would talk about the fights and people he fought, but he had trouble remembering today.” Family members bought Ross a cellphone, teaching him how to use it and putting their numbers on speed dial. Faithfully, he called each morning and each evening. Once or twice a week he would put on his backpack and walk 4 miles round-trip to that Wal-Mart. Sometimes a family friend would see him and drive him home. SEE M AD DOG | 4C
To download an audio file of a reading of this story by Kendall Mays, or to view a gallery of clippings from The Tuscaloosa News on Edgar Ross’ boxing career, go to www. tuscaloosanews.com.
Edgar “Mad Dog” Ross was found dead 11 days ago in the Southeast Alabama town of Grimes, near Dothan. The Tuscaloosa boxer was 64 years old. SUBMITTED PHOTOS
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TODAY
TODAY
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