Robbie Ross gives Ryan Dempster No. 46

August, 1, 2012
8/01/12
5:51
PM CT
ARLINGTON, Texas -- As soon as Robbie Ross was told that Ryan Dempster was headed to Texas and would prefer No. 46, the Rangers rookie didn't hesitate to change numbers. He'll wear No. 28 tonight, a number he picked from the remaining that were available.

Some might call that a rookie mistake. Instead of trying to negotiate a fair "price" for the number, Ross simply gave it up. Why? Well, first because Ross is a nice guy and wants Dempster to feel comfortable. But second, because he was only wearing the number because it was given to him by random in spring training.

"They told me that Dempster said that if I wanted the number, it was no big deal and I could have it, but I thought he's had it for as long as he's played, so I wasn't really worried about it," Ross said. "It wasn't even the number I picked in the beginning."

Dempster was glad to get the number and thankful that Ross was willing to give it up so quickly.

"That was really nice of him," Dempster said. "I didn't have to dip into my pocket or anything. I'll come up with something."
Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He writes about colleges, the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools.

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