Answering the Call
As this post-season continues on, I find my soft spot for the Texas Rangers growing and growing. It is to the point where I can now say that there is little to no chance that I don’t impulse buy an Ian Kinsler jersey the instant I see one.
Let’s be honest, no one outside of Nolan Ryan, thought THIS team would be THIS good! Going into the post-season, the American League was lining up to play the Rangers in the first round, they were the definition of underdog.
We asked the questions critically: How would CJ Wilson do going from middle reliever to post-season starter in just over a year? Does Vlad Guerrero know that this isn’t his years on the Expos? Is Josh Hamilton ok? Does anyone named Darren know how to pitch the 7th or 8th inning?
They responded with authority: As a TEAM, we will get bases. As a TEAM, we will get outs.
And, as they have shown, it is a TEAM that wins a series.
The Texas Rangers are not without their shortcomings. We have seen them rear their ugly head at times. But what they are with is Ron Washington’s emotional philosophy to do anything to go from 1st to 2nd, and to take it personally if you leave your teammate stranded at the end of an inning.”
You just have to love the way these guys play!
The Characters in a Feel Good Story
After drinking several beers, and watching several games now, you look at the Rangers line up card and are on every occasion you ask yourself, “Where the hell is the out on this team?”
At the same time, with every name on that card, there is a feel good story that you can to smile about:
Elvis Andrus was once passed over by the Yankees for having too large a frame for a shortstop. Now he beat them in 6 games, and defensively embarrassed his Yankee counterpart (the fabled #2, who covers about as much of the infield as a base), with his unreal range.
Michael Young’s has never forgotten his roots. His community outreach project “Wipe Out Kids Cancer” in support of pediatric cancer in the Texas area has made him the definitive role model for baseball players going above and beyond the call of duty.
Josh Hamilton is the feel good story in all of baseball. Once thought to be the next great American ball player (and he still may be, just a little later than previously assumed), drafted 1st overall with a bat better referred to as a “Boom Stick” (Thank you Bruce Campbell and The Army of Darkness), the wheels to play centerfield, and a cannon for an arm that in his scouting report had him listed with a 100mph fastball. But Hamilton’s celebrity like status, mixed with his young age, got him in trouble with drugs and alcohol. But, Hamilton found God, and he came back. As a Rule 5 pickup by the Reds, he started, as an MVP candidate, and beloved teammate to and by his Rangers (you have to love the ginger ale shower moment), he stands four years later.
Vladdy has turned back the clock. Left for dead by the Angels he posted an All-Star season. And who doesn’t like seeing someone go old school and grip a bat without gloves? I guess maybe “Franklin Sports?” Let’s just hope for the sake of cleanliness he doesn’t strengthen his grip with the “Moises Alou Pee on for Power” method.
Nelson Cruz is only 2 years removed from hoping to have a big league job, and having to call shotgun on Oklahoma’s AAA bus. But Texas never gave up on him. Now, he beats up baseballs.
Ian Kinsler is the best teammate ever. He gets suspended for a game because he ran on the field to celebrate a walk-off homer by Nelson Cruz, after earlier being ejected for arguing a call to an ump. Now that is baseball spirit you thought you only saw when hitting your first little league inside the parker! Actually, I wouldn’t know that, I never hit one. Ever.
David Murphy beat Mariano Rivera in August to tack a blown save onto the future HOF closers resume.
Mitch Moreland’s middle name is Austin, which is a hilarious trend in Texas sports. I soon hope Dallas Clark joins Miles Austin on the Cowboys to round it out.
Jeff Francoeur looks to finally have found a role on a team after being baseball’s lost soul most of his career.
Bengi Molina is just a little slow ball of happiness that just reminds you of “singing cupcake kid” on YouTube.
Cliff Lee has overcome every father’s nightmare, and dealt with a child diagnosed, fighting ,and recovering from Leukemia, with the utmost strength.
And of course, their emotional leader, Ron Washington, who openly admitted to cocaine usage. And, rather than hiding behind it, or making the subject taboo, he admirably came open with his team about it, owning up to his own mistakes, and asking for forgiveness. The way he stands on the steps of the dugout, the way he talks to his pitchers in-game, the way he stands up against the umpires for his players, is done so with an emotional involvement reminiscent of the way your dad coached your childhood team. Seeing how his players look up at him, they take to and respect Ron Washington in this same way.
For a team that filed for bankruptcy just this past year, and was saved by their former on-felid hero Nolan Ryan, this Texas Rangers club has come a long way, and has one heck of a story to tell.
When David Beats Goliath
The Texas Rangers are a team of underdogs working together to overcome the odds. You cannot help but love them for the same reason you probably watched “The Blindside” 20 times this year and loved it (Sandra Bullock I take back all of the nasty things I said about over the last 15 years from things like “The Net” and “Forces of Nature”) . We are all drawn to feel good stories, and this Rangers team just may be the feel good story of 2010.
So as I root for the Rangers to reach their goal of 101 wins this season, I find myself often referring to a quote by the pinnacle of television characters, Tim Riggins:
“Texas Forever...”
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