Longview's Chris Davis returned to the Rangers lineup on Tuesday night in a 10-9 victory against the Yankees.

Afterward, Davis called me from the team hotel to answer some quick questions about his return to the major leagues.

(DS) What was your initial reaction when you were being called back up the majors?

(CD) "I was relieved, excited, I felt like I'd worked hard in Triple-A and I accomplished what I needed, and I kept picturing myself back in the Rangers lineup and helping to contribute to their season and winning down the stretch."

To read more of Davis' post-game comments, click "MORE."

I had the privilege of covering T.J. Turner during my first year in the media. He was such a great player and we had some fun with a shot put story his senior season.

He was always one of my all-time favorites and this news just stunned me.

David Smoak

LUFKIN, Texas (AP) -- Former Miami Dolphins defensive lineman T.J. Turner has died of complications from a stroke. He was 46.

Turner's death was confirmed by Tims Funeral Home in Lufkin. The Lufkin Daily News said he died Monday at a Bryan, Texas, hospital after a stroke last week.

Turner played seven seasons for the Dolphins from 1986-92, compiling 16 sacks in 101 career games. He played defensive end and nose tackle.

He was an All-Southwest Conference player at Houston before the Dolphins drafted him in the third round in 1986.

You the membership of Smoaky.com have voted and selected the 2009 Pre-Season East Texas College Football Team.

Defense:

Def. Player of the Year: Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri (Jasper)

DT: Adren Dorsey, Texas A&M (John Tyler)
DT: JaMarkus McFarland, Oklahoma (Lufkin)
DE: Cody Williams, Texas A&M (Longview)
DE: Eddie Jones, Texas (Kilgore)
LB: Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri (Jasper)
LB: Roddrick Muckelroy, Texas (Hallsville)
LB: Keenan Clayton, Oklahoma (Sulphur Springs)
CB: Curtis Brown, Texas (Gilmer)
CB: Nic Sanders, T.C.U. (Kilgore)
S: Tekerrian Cuba, T.C.U. (Tyler Lee)
S: Stephen Hicks, Colorado (Whitehouse)

Click "more" for the offensive team:

Longview's Chris Davis sent a text to me this morning confirming his call up by the Rangers from Oklahoma City.

Davis will return to action when the Rangers begin a three-game series against the Yankees on Tuesday in New York.

T.R. Sullivan of mlb.com was the first to report the story.

Davis to return

Davis was hitting .327 in 44-games at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

David Smoak

Former Texas HIgh star Slade Heathcott signed a contract with the Yankees this week and received a $2.2M signing bonus.

Yankees sign Heathcott .

David Smoak