SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Hearn men, of Royce City, take the road less traveled.
Cleo Hearn, the patriarch, was the first black professional cowboy on the rodeo circuit. He is known as "Mr. Black Rodeo.''
His son, Robby, followed and continued to blaze a trail for black rodeo participants.
Cleo Hearn's grandson, Taylor, went in a different but equally rare direction. Taylor Hearn is trying to join the small group of black major-league starting pitchers. There were only eight black starters in the majors last season.
If the Rangers' algorithms and evaluators are correct, Hearn could join the group as soon as this summer.