The 2010 Texas Rangers

After having a little bit of time to process the season the Texas Rangers completed, I wanted to jot down my experience of the year to remember. Since moving to the Houston area 3 years ago, we have been able to only attend 1 Ranger game a year when they visit the Astros. But I would say I have been able to watch more games on tv than ever before thanks to DVR and therefore probably know this team as well as any team I had season tickets to. Having said that, this team definitely provided the highest of highs for me as a fan of the Rangers in their history. The accomplished numerous monumental firsts: first home playoff victory, first playoff series win, first American League championships series appearance, first American League Championship series win, first World Series appearance, but none of this could have been done without their first big time pitching trade for none other than Cliff Lee. I have been high on this trade since the week after they made the deal and no matter where Lee ends up next year I will always believe that trade was the best deal the Rangers have ever made up to this point, in history.
This team will forever go down in my memory as a team who carried the hopes and dreams of so many Rangers fans. Andrus, Young, Hamilton, Guerrero, Cruz, Kinsler, Murphy, Molina, Moreland, Borbon, Lee, Wilson, Lewis, Holland, Hunter, O'Day, Oliver, Feliz, Treanor, and Washington will be etched in my mind as the core of this team that made it to the promise land. They turned a magical dreamland into a reality and caused a nation of fans to realize that the World Series is not a forbidden land only reserved for those with the deepest of pockets. Their chemistry and on field camaraderie energized the fan base like none other with the claw and antlers among other things. I know that there is no feeling in sports for me like the momentum of following your team to the World Series. I literally had dreams about the Rangers winning it all and nearly convinced myself that I had to find a way to get to Game 5 just in case the clinched it at home. After pricing airline tickets and then game tickets I realized this was only a dream and I would not be there. As it turns out, there was a celebration but for the San Francisco Giants as the World Champions. I'm sure I couldn't have handled that and I'm glad I still have my money in my pocket. I know that one day we will get to experience the joy of seeing my Texas Rangers on top and my only hope is that I am around to see it. Who knows, maybe the Astros & Rangers could meet in the Series and somebody offers me a ticket to the game and I see them clinch it all. For now, I will settle for the best season I have ever been witness to and will savor it. Thank you Texas Rangers for a fantastic year and here's to next year. I think it could be our year.

2010 Texas Rangers

I am still in awe of how this season has played out. As always, I believed at the beginning of the year that "this could be the year." But why would this year be any different than the last 30+ years I've thought that. Throw in bankruptcy, new owners, and an admission to drug use by the manager to further complicate the year. The Rangers had 1 absolutely incredible month and then virtually played .500 ball the rest of the season. Now they look like a team that has a real chance to win the whole thing. Pitching has been extremely effective and hitting in the 7 games they have won has been explosive. While there are a lot of accolades to go around for the offense, I credit Elvis Andrus with igniting this team at the plate. His threat on the bases have led to so many opportunities that turned many scoring chances into big innings. The Rangers lead all playoff teams in every offensive category with the exception of triples & walks(includes AB,R,H,2B,HR,RBI,SB,AVG,OBP,SLG,OPS) Of coarse, all of this doesn't matter if the pitching doesn't shut down the other team. My only concern going up against SF is that the Rangers have not had to win a close game. The closest win was a 4 run game over the Rays in the division series. Meanwhile, the Giants have won six 1 run games this postseason.

Rangers Win the Pennant

Are you kidding me? The Texas Rangers win the ALCS in 6 games over the New York Yankees and are heading to the World Series. I think back to all the years I've been going to games going back to 1978 and listening to the games on the radio in the backyard just hoping they could make the playoffs. Finally, on their 4th playoff appearance they have made it to the big dance. I can't even comprehend how awesome this is!!!!!!!!

Rangers Lead ALCS 2 games to 1

The Rangers now lead the ALCS 2 games to 1 after Cliff Lee pitched 8 innings giving up 2 hits. INCREDIBLE. Feliz came in to close out the game. Tommy Hunter pitches game 4 against the Yankees and if they stick to their rotation we will be facing AJ Burnett. I wouldn't be too surprised if Girardi decided to go with CC Sabathia in Game 4.
LETS GO RANGERS!!!!!

Playoff Series Win

Only team to never win a playoff series........no more. Rangers play the Yankees for the American League Pennant and the Rangers have home field advantage.
UNBELIEVABLE........
A note on Cliff Lee that I mentioned back in July after three starts as a Ranger that is probably now true, "He is arguably the best pitcher the Rangers have ever had on their staff. I know that may be placing him ahead of some Ranger favorites like Nolan Ryan, but I think his potential to lead this team in the postseason could elevate his status exponentially in Ranger lore."
No doubt he is #1 Ranger pithcer ever in my book.

American League West Champions

For the 4th time in their history, the Texas Rangers won the AL West. Feels good to be talking about playoff baseball again. Who will they match up against, NY or TB? Nothing better than baseball in the post season.

Playoffs Here We Come

The Rangers Magic number is now down to 8 at the start of tonights game against the Mariners. They have a 10 game lead over the A's with only 16 games left in the regular season. So, looking forward to the first round of the playoffs it seems the Rangers are going to play the AL East division winner, Tampa Bay or New York. I think the biggest concern heading to the end of the season has to be the health of Josh Hamilton and Cliff Lee. Lee seems to back and heathly, but Hamilton still has a ways to go. As usual though, the series will come down to the pitching and if they are on the Rangers have a chance. Go Rangers.

Season record: 82-63 with a 7 game win streak.

Playoff thoughts

I know, I know. Its only August 24th, but the Rangers do have a 8.5 game lead and my thoughts are wondering who we will play in the playoffs, IF we make it there. My initial reaction is to hope we play anyone but the Yankees. Three playoff appearances, three first round exits thanks to the Yankees. After some thought though, I am convinced I want the Yankees in the first round again. I don't like the way we match up against the Rays and I can't stand even seeing a game on tv in their ballpark. I can't blame their fans for not attending games there. I also believe we have the tools to match up with NY on the mound and at the plate. I've always thought if the Rangers were to ever make it to the "big" series, I want them to have to beat the Yanks on the way there. So bring it on NY, I am rooting for them to win the East and lets matchup again for the first round.
I went ahead and added the Magic Number counter to the side of the blog. Nothing more exciting the counting down to a division win, and we haven't been able to do that in over a decade so we start the countdown at 30!
On a side note, I realized that this possible playoff run will likely mean that I will not be able to attend the home playoff games thus ending my streak of seeing every Ranger playoff home game in person. Granted it was only 4 games, but I had been to all 4 of them. Maybe I'm playoff bad luck since they were 0-4 in those games.

Rangers record: 71-54, 8.5 games ahead of the Oakland Athletics!

Staying Strong

The Rangers are now 64-45 and hold a 9.5 game lead over the A's. Cliff Lee continues to dominate as he has pitched 8 innings in 10 straight games this year. The Rangers finally gave him some runs support for the win last night 4-1.

Cliff Lee

I had always heard what a great pitcher Cliff Lee was and how he was extremely consistant. Now having seen him pitch 3 games I understand, even though he is only 1-1 in those three games. He has pitched at least 8 innings in all 3 games, along with only throwing around 100 pitches each time. He is arguable the best pitcher the Rangers have ever had on their staff. I know that may be placing him ahead of some Ranger favorites like Nolan Ryan, but I think his potential to lead this team in the postseason could elevate his status exponentially in Ranger lore. Ryan often seemed to work hard into late innings and would many times leave games in the 6th or 7th inning. In fact he averaged 7 innings per start over his career(considering he played 27 years this is quite remarkable.) Lee has averaged over 8 innings per start this entire year. I also have to consider the fact that the other starters see how Lee pitches and may pick up on his ability to get out of innings in less than 11 pitches by throwing strikes and working quickly. I think if Wilson, Lewis & Hunter start picking up a little of Lee's pace they may see more positive results and could be a part of a post season rotation.
The Rangers took Game 1 vs the Angels in the 4 game series, hopefully they can win 2 of the next 3 and come out of the series up 7 in the West.
Season Record: 56-40, 6 games ahead of the Angels of Los Angeles

July 1st MLB best record?

None other than the Texas Rangers. Vlad G. hits 2 homeruns and a grand slam to beat his former Angels. The Rangers are tied with the Yanks for the best record at 47-30 and have a 4.5 game lead on the Angels. Hamilton also extended his hit streak to 23. Great first half to the season.

2nd Best Record in MLB

The Texas Rangers, now at 43-28, have the 2nd best record in the Majors. They have won 10 in a row for only the second time in their history(the other being 1991 streak of 14). This also matched their best record after 71 games. The only other time they had this record was in 1996, the year of the first Ranger playoff appearance.
I know, I know, we are in June and not even to the All-Star break, but I can't help but get a little excited seeing them play the way they are.

Season Record: 43-28, 3.5 games ahead of the California Angels.

Sweep

Josh Hamilton had 5 hits in the game including the game tying RBI in the ninth & game winning RBI in the 10th.

Feliz striking out Berkman in the bottom of the 10th for the win! Great to see this guy in person.
Well, Well, the Rangers sweep Astros for the second year in a row in Houston. We just arrived home from the 10 inning thriller. On a side note, Jim Joyce was the Home Plate umpire. I had never heard of him before 3 weeks ago, now he's the most recognizable ump. Also a stand-up guy.
Season Record: 41-28, 3.5 games ahead of the Angels.

Hello Win Column

The Rangers have a 5 game win streak and now head to Houston for a 3 game series. If they don't leave here with 2 W's it would be a crying shame. May be going out to the game Sunday, if I get some tickets at the right price.
Season record: 38-28
2.5 games ahead of the Angels of California

Texas Rangers

So once again, it looks as though the Rangers will have a lead in the AL West in June. Do they have the pitching to sustain a lead through August/September? Will their bankruptcy deny them the ability to add to their roster as needed down the stretch?
Reminds me of the movie Major League where a team with no financial support pulls together to win with great chemistry despite an inferior talent level.

Here's hoping the Rangers can live up those "Indians"

Season record: 26-21, 1.5 games ahead of the Oakland Athletics.