'Health Concerns' Sideline Rangers Broadcaster Dave Barnett For Season After On-Air Meltdown

By Eric Nicholson Mon., Jul. 2 2012 at 1:10 PM

Rangers broadcaster Dave Barnett

The Texas Rangers just sent word: Broadcaster Dave Barnett, who rambled incoherently about henchmen and botched robberies during a recent game, is out of the booth for at least the rest of the season. He'll be replaced by radio play-by-play man Steve Busby.

Per a statement from Barnett:

I want to thank everyone for your kind sentiments and words of encouragement over the last couple of weeks. It has meant a lot to me during what has been a very difficult time. Effective immediately, for health reasons I will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from my broadcasting duties that I expect to last for the remainder of the season.
I would ask that you please respect the privacy of me and my family during this time.

Thank you once again for your support.

I won't be an asshole and try to speculate on what, exactly, is wrong with Barnett. Suffice to say it's something much more serious than the recurring migraines the episode was initially attributed to.

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BLRguy

Now what I want you to do is build me a small doghouse. I’m bored by famine. I cannot wait for a medieval cookie, a Cinnabon, hot yellow Kool-Aid And save a pretzel for the gas jets.blrguy

dt&ot

Bring back Josh L. Oh, and get well soon DB.

dt&ot

FSSW/RAngers Rant: Enough with Cookie Talk and Shout outs from TAG. Why do all the woman wear bland clothes? Why did Emily Morgan lose it at a fan? Did he say something threatening or sexual? Why is thei whole broadcast reminding me of the undreground town in "A Boy And His Dog"? I watch almost every game but I try to tune out during 3rd and 4th innings. TAG has a chip on his shoulder about cookie talk but it is time for it to end. Embarrassing. DT&OT Bring back live Rangers blog.

Joe Bob from Muleshoe

Hey Mushmouth.... those gentlemanly "assholes" that you refer to seem to be the ones who had Dave on air to get an explanation of what is going on. Thanks to them, Dave explained the situation and we got to hear him ourselves. Maybe you should get out for more socialization more often .... Jub Jub needs to shock you a few times for missing on this one.

TheRealDirtyP1

The curse of the unceromonious letting go of Josh Lewin. I like Barnett, basically grew up watching him on Raycom sports calling SWC games. TAG has nothing compared to Lewin. F COOKIE TALK.