Langer suddenly gains rooting interest in Rangers

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Stan Badz/PGA TOUR

Bernhard Langer, baseball fan? It's true -- and he's got a good team to root for in the Texas Rangers.

HOUSTON -- Although he's hasn't been much of a baseball fan since moving to the United States from his native Germany three decades ago, Bernhard Langer suddenly has taken up a rooting interest in the Texas Rangers.

And with good reason. This week during the Administaff Small Business Classic, Langer is staying at The Woodlands home of Fran Pirozzolo, the Rangers' mental skills coach.

Pirozzolo and Langer were introduced to each other over 20 years ago by Joey Sindelar, another Champions Tour veteran. The two have remained good friends, and they've occasionally worked together on the mental side of the game.

Each year when Langer comes to Houston, Pirozzolo has opened up his home to the World Golf Hall of Famer. Langer, who leads the Charles Schwab Cup and the Champions Tour money list, has gone on to win the the Administaff Small Business Classic twice.

"I don't watch much baseball at all but now I'm into it because of him," Langer said on Wednesday prior to Game 5 in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series. "The Rangers are beating the Yankees right now and he's with the team in New York. I'm now watching intently."

Interestingly, Pirozzolo used to work for the New York Yankees. He has a pair of World Series rings as a result of his employment with them.

But the Rangers can clinch their first American League pennant on Wednesday. Texas took a 3-1 lead into the afternoon game at Yankee Stadium.

"I hope the Rangers can close them out soon so he can get back home and come watch me play at the tournament this week," Langer said. "It's great to have a friend who has been successful in what he's doing, especially sports, and has something special going now. I think I can relate to that better than others."