Ryan Dempster has struggled with the Rangers since coming over from the Cubs, but his latest problem adjusting to playing in the American League is a little more bizarre.
Dempster missed his originally scheduled Saturday start against the Blue Jays due to “personal reasons,” according to Texas, but the fine print in this one is what’s fun.
Dempster reportedly doesn’t have his passport, according to the Dallas Morning News, and may have lost it some time in the last few years.
Ergo, Dempster wouldn’t have been allowed through customs at the airport and couldn’t even travel with the team to the Rogers Centre. Dempster, who hasn’t pitched in Canada since 2004, never had to worry about playing the Jays in his time with the Cubbies.
What’s even more interesting about this already-odd story, though, is that Dempster is actually Canadian. The right-hander was born in Sechelt, B.C., Canada, and played baseball in his native country until he graduated from secondary school in 1995.
In any event, Roy Oswalt started in Dempster’s place Saturday, going 4 2/3 innings, allowing one run on two hits while walking two and balking twice in the Rangers’ 2-1 win.
