Texas Rangers: Former Pitcher Killed In Little Rock

Former Texas Rangers pitcher John Barfield died on Christmas Eve in Little Rock, Arkansas. Barfield was taken to the hospital where he later died. He was 52 years old.

According to Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star Telegram, Barfield was fatally shot during an altercation with an acquaintance  in downtown Little Rock. The suspect was arrested and is being held without bail and he is charged with first-degree murder. It is believed that the altercation was an involvement in a domestic dispute. The Texas Rangers are devastated to hear this unfortunate news.

Barfield was a native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. While playing in high school, he would lead his team to the state championship in 1983. After graduating, he played for Crowder College in Missouri and he would eventually transfer and play at Oklahoma City University.

More from Nolan Writin'

• Framework for a potential Max Fried trade to the Texas Rangers
• Early 2023 MLB mock draft has Texas Rangers selecting an Ohtani-lite
• 3 Texas Rangers outfield trade targets not named Bryan Reynolds
• Did Jacob deGrom really mean what he said at his Texas Rangers press conference?
• Where do Texas Rangers prospects Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker stand after the DeGrom signing?

Barfield was drafted in the 11th round in the 1986 Major League Baseball draft by the Texas Rangers. He would make his major league debut on Sept. 7, 1989 against the Baltimore Orioles. Barfield pitched for the Rangers organization from 1989-1991, appearing in 65 games, starting 11 of them, finishing with an 8-8 record with a 4.72 ERA. From 1992-1997, he pitched in the minors.

Barfield’s sister tells the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette she is devastated by the death of her brother. According to CBS news, she describes him as a fierce competitor, but she insisted that as fierce as he was playing baseball, he was always open to signing autographs for fans and he had a gentle personality.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.