Joe Macko, an employee of the Texas Rangers organization for over 40 years, passed away early Friday morning at the age of 86 years.
Macko has worked for the franchise since the first year it moved from Washington to Texas. He most recently served 12 years as the team's Goodwill Ambassador after retiring from his role as clubhouse manager in 2001. Macko held roles as business manager and clubhouse manager for both the home and visiting clubhouses during his first 29 years with the organization.
The organization paid tribute to Macko Friday in a written statement:
"The Rangers organization is deeply saddened by today's passing of Joe Macko. Joe was a loyal and dedicated member of this franchise for more than four decades as the team's business manager, home and visiting clubhouse manager, and goodwill ambassador. Joe made hundreds of players feel at home in the home and visiting clubhouses at old Arlington Stadium and the current Globe Life Park in Arlington.
"In his later years, Joe made numerous public appearances on behalf of the team, and he was the ultimate goodwill ambassador. He spent more than 40 years promoting the Texas Rangers, and we will always be indebted for his exemplary service to the organization.
"The Rangers extend their deepest sympathies to Joe's son Mike, his daughters Karen and Linda and all of his family and friends at this sad time."
Macko was an accomplished minor league player over 16 seasons before assuming off-the-field responsibilities. He homered at least 20 times in seven seasons, held a .272 career batting average and totaled 306 minor league home runs in almost 2,000 games. His career-high 37 homers came while Macko played in the Texas League in 1956.
A plaque dedicated to Macko can be found on the service level between the home and visiting clubhouses at Globe Life Park in Arlington, reading:
JOE MACKO, IN HONOR OF A LIFETIME OF DEDICATED AND EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO THE TEXAS RANGERS ORGANIZATION, THANK YOU. Dedicated August 22, 2014.
Macko is survived by two daughters, Karen and Linda, their husbands, Josh Wells and Chris Eadler, his son Mike and wife Brooke. He had two grandchildren, Jay and Lindsey Eadler. His wife, Dorothy, died in 2007.
