Rangers mourn traveling secretary Lyngos

ARLINGTON — They filled a private club at Globe Life Park on Thursday to pay loving tribute to Chris Lyngos, the Rangers’ popular and hard-working former traveling secretary who passed away on Nov. 22 at the age of 49.

Family and friends, club officials, members of the media and Rangers players — past and present — were there to remember their dear friend who had graduated from Stephen F. Austin and wandered from job to job trying to figure out what to do with his life.

Back in 1992, Chris and his sister, Lisa, sat down over pizza and beer and he decided what he wanted to do most was work in baseball. So they devised a plan on a napkin and — through a college buddy — Chris eventually got a job with Texas over a thousand other applicants.

Lyngos became the Rangers’ traveling secretary in 1998, and he navigated the team across the country for 16 years through five postseason appearances, including two World Series. Arranging postseason travel is an incredible task, considering the multiple travel possibilities and spur-of-the-moment decisions involved for every round.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels spoke about Lyngos’ dedication and how his standard reply for every situation was, “I’ve got your back, bro.” Former pitcher Darren Oliver spoke about the couch Lyngos had in his Spring Training office used by any player and club official needing a friend and a sympathetic ear.

Former bullpen catcher Ken Guthrie related the story of Lyngos going into the airport in a beat-up pickup truck to pick up George W. Bush, future President of the United States. Bush sent him a note expressing admiration for his choice of classic vehicles.

Many who had come to the service to offer their condolences to his wife, Lisa, son, Nathan, and daughter, Lindsay, also talked about Lyngos going above and beyond the call of duty in the days immediately after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

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