I watched something happen that last night that I've never seen happen. I watched the Texas Rangers advance to the World Series. Let me say that again - the TEXAS RANGERS ARE GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES. I'm still floating around like a little boy lost in joyous wonder. This is what baseball does to you. This is why it's called "the beautiful game."
So here are a few thoughts from (let's just say it) somebody who is a bigger Rangers fan than you are:
- I cannot be happier that it was Chuck Greenberg and Nolan Ryan up on that stage receiving the ALCS trophy instead of Tom Hicks.
- I still personally am a fan of Alex Rodriguez. He has one of the sweetest swings in the game and he's an underrated defender. However, I couldn't think of a more fitting person to have been caught looking on Neftali Feliz's first breaking ball of the night to advance the Rangers to the World Series. The mere mention of A-Rod's name reminds us of what a poison Tom Hicks was to this franchise. When you consider A-Rod is still getting paid by the Rangers almost twice as much as Michael Young (our highest paid current player), you can't help but cringe when thinking of all the horrible contracts Hicks put us through.
- Not enough is being said about Vladimir Gurerrero and Darren Oliver's first trip to the World Series. Guerrero is a sure-thing 1st ballot Hall of Famer, but he's never played baseball this late in October. Darren Oliver is 40. He's played in the Major Leagues a long time. He was once teammates with Nolan Ryan, the guy that now owns the team he plays for. Above all, these guys are great teammates. They deserve this as much as anyone.
- You can't be happier for people like Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, and Michael Young. Hamilton's story has definitely been chronicled, and after seeing how he handled himself in his interview after receiving the ALCS MVP award, you realize how solid his foundation is. For him to deflect any praise directed towards him straight to God and then to his teammates and his fans, you wonder why not everyone can be as humble. Cruz was placed on waivers in 2008. He could have been picked up by any major league team, and he didn't. For someone who was considered a Quad-A baseball player (someone who can light up AAA but not find success in the majors), it has to feel pretty sweet to be a dominant force in the playoffs. And Michael Young can relate to these poor Ranger fans better than anyone. Since 2000, Mike has given nothing less than 100% for this team. He's moved positions not once, but twice to accommodate another player. He's played through broken fingers. And he had never been to the postseason before this month. Now he's four wins away from a World Series championship. I don't have kids, but I imagine that fans must feel like they're watching their child when they see Young celebrating on the field after claiming the AL pennant.
- You also can't be happier for Ron Washington. Early every season since he was hired in 2007, rumors have swirled about whether or not he would still have a job. It was no easy task to implement his fundamental style of baseball on a team that was known for only hitting home runs. But he gained the respect of his players and the organization. After admitting to his use of cocaine in Spring Training, he experienced overwhelming support from the organization, and rightfully so. Wash is a likable guy. That's obvious. From his lightning-speed chewing of those ranch sunflower seeds, to his happy feet when a runner is rounding third, you can't help but love Wash. Because as he says, "That's the way baseball go." Sidenote: his baseball card has been displayed above my television since I moved into my new apartment. I think he's watching over the team.
- I cannot be more proud of being a Rangers fan. My Dad raised me to be a Rangers fan. They weren't a good team when I was born, or for a few years after that. But Dad watched and supported them, so I did too. They got better as I got older and understood baseball more. We still watched. We went to games. (I went to my first one on July 28, 1995, exactly one year after Kenny Rogers threw a perfect game for the Rangers. July 28 also happens to be my mother's birthday. We sat 15 rows up on the 3rd base side. I was in heaven.) And then the team stopped winning. They got to be pretty bad. And then they got worse. We still watched. We still supported. They sucked. We got frustrated, but we still supported. That's what you do. They started showing signs of life in 2008. They teased us even more in 2009. In 2010, there was a definite feeling that we could make the postseason. It got pretty exciting. Dad died on July 28, 2010. He didn't make it to see them finally win their first postseason series and advance to the World Series. But I know he's cheering them on. He's most definitely cheering them on. I hope he and Johnny Oates got a chance to talk, so Dad could tell him there's an 8 year old kid who might have a chance to make the team some day. Because I know that's the first thing Dad would say to him.
Now let's go get a World Series title. Let's do this.
