SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) Chris Woodward thinks long-term and appreciates the everyday grind of the game, having been a utility infielder over a dozen seasons and serving as a third base coach in the World Series each of the past two years.

Still, Woodward allowed himself to consider where he had come from to being a first-time manager when the Texas Rangers pitchers and catchers held their first workout of spring training Wednesday.

"There's something special about it. To think, just kind of go back to my career, and I kind of mentioned that to the guys today," Woodward said. "When you've been through so much as a player and then as a coach, just the ups and downs, you kind of start to look back and think about, `Man, this thing started when I was 18, could I be standing at this moment.' ... I'm going to enjoy it."