Texas Rangers top prospect Joey Gallo was called up to the major leagues Tuesday and inserted into the starting lineup while he was still miles away from the ballpark fighting his way through traffic hoping to make it to the game on time.
The Rangers pulled some strings and Gallo received a police escort from a Texas state trooper for the final 27 miles of his trip from Round Rock, where he had been playing for the team’s Triple-A affiliate. Fortunately, the Rangers’ game against Oakland was delayed by an hour because of storms and Gallo was able to arrive on time.
The A’s ultimately won the game 6-3, but Gallo, one of the premier power-hitting prospects in the minor leagues this season, made his presence felt with a 448-foot home run in the fifth inning, going opposite field.
Stefan Stevenson covers the Rangers for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and had some fun on Twitter. keeping fans updated on Gallo’s progress toward the stadium before the game.
Live look in at Gallo driving up from Round Rock w/ those famous central Texas cactus & mountains … pic.twitter.com/JDKaLF9391
— Stefan Stevenson (@StevensonFWST) July 26, 2016
Update: Gallo has stopped at Buc-ee’s … pic.twitter.com/3LicESosdj
— Stefan Stevenson (@StevensonFWST) July 26, 2016
This just in: Gallo has run out of gas in Killeen … pic.twitter.com/FCuzTbmk2r
— Stefan Stevenson (@StevensonFWST) July 26, 2016
Good news: Gallo is back on the road. Bad news: Grandview speed trap got him… pic.twitter.com/qbUFMD7Rnz
— Stefan Stevenson (@StevensonFWST) July 26, 2016
BREAKING: Gallo has ditched the sedan for a motorcycle … pic.twitter.com/Pt1ETFseQe
— Stefan Stevenson (@StevensonFWST) July 26, 2016
Gallo decides to run final 10 miles to Globe Life Park … pic.twitter.com/r0Op1jyoFD
— Stefan Stevenson (@StevensonFWST) July 26, 2016
Update: Gallo being helped through rain water … pic.twitter.com/QOzj0SSXFb
— Stefan Stevenson (@StevensonFWST) July 27, 2016
Gallo has made brave decision to swim the final mile … pic.twitter.com/fF2K4NIazA

— Stefan Stevenson (@StevensonFWST) July 27, 2016
He has arrived. Gallo takes chopper in for last 50 yards … pic.twitter.com/HXRjDlLN3M
— Stefan Stevenson (@StevensonFWST) July 27, 2016
Final installment from today’s comedy bit … only, this is actually true … https://t.co/U38Dj8sayC pic.twitter.com/DqvDaaUac1
— Stefan Stevenson (@StevensonFWST) July 27, 2016
All indications are that Gallo is now in the major leagues to stay. So Tuesday is a day he’ll probably never forget.
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Kyle Ringo is a contributing writer to Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @KyleRingo