If you read my blog regularly you probably know that we are big Texas Ranger fans. The Rangers have not always been a great team as far as winning goes, but we've always remained loyal fans. This year, despite many problems, they have made it to the world series for the first time!
Problem #1: Their ownership changed this year (thank God!). The old owner was in debt up to his ears and had lots of creditors who wanted their money. A group led by Nolan Ryan and Chuck Greenberg was all set to buy them. Only nothing was simple. The judge ordered an auction for the team because the creditors wanted more money. All of this legal stuff seemed to drag on forever. Then, Mark Cuban got in the mix wanting to buy them. Then there was a bidding war. Finally, the Ryan/Greenberg group came out on top and got the team. All of this was going on in the middle of the season. But they boys just kept playing great!
Problem #2: The manager, Ron Washington, admitted to using cocaine on an occasion and failed a drug test. He handled it well and went to Ryan, admitted what he had done, apologized publicly, etc, etc. They decided not to fire him. Good thing. I think he was a big part of the Ranger's success. He showed how to handle a mistake in the public eye with lots of class. He never denied anything and you could tell he deeply regretted it. I don't condone what he did, but I think he handled it the best way possible.
Ok. All this brings me to why I'm so happy and proud of this team. These guys stuck it out when things were not so pretty. This team was not expected to win in the division series. Never had before. They were really not expected to beat the Yankees and win the American League Championship. But they did. They are probably not expected to win the world series either. But I think they will.
Josh Hamilton, outfielder and hitter extraordinaire won the American League batting title this year. Talk about a comeback. Several years back he was very heavy into drugs and alcohol. Probably knocked on death's door more than once. But he beat his addictions and overcame them to not only come back and play, but to come back and play amazingly. And win. When the team clenched the division in Oakland they broke out the champagne and celebrated liked they all do. Josh Hamilton, a huge part of why they were winners, was not there sharing in the inebriating celebration. He can't and won't be near alcohol.
Now, this is what I think is the most amazing thing about this team...When they beat Tampa Bay for the division series. The locker room celebration was done with ginger ale! That's right. Teammate C.J. Wilson and equipment manager Richard "hoggy" Price initiated this. Hamilton was met with a ginger ale shower when he came in the locker room. How incredible is that?
And when they beat the Yankees for the American League championship, the on field celebration was with ginger ale. So Hamilton could be a part of it. Not much has been said about this in the media, especially the national media, but that is what I consider one of the best stories in baseball. Finally, a GOOD example of behavior in sports for our kids to see!
Problem #1: Their ownership changed this year (thank God!). The old owner was in debt up to his ears and had lots of creditors who wanted their money. A group led by Nolan Ryan and Chuck Greenberg was all set to buy them. Only nothing was simple. The judge ordered an auction for the team because the creditors wanted more money. All of this legal stuff seemed to drag on forever. Then, Mark Cuban got in the mix wanting to buy them. Then there was a bidding war. Finally, the Ryan/Greenberg group came out on top and got the team. All of this was going on in the middle of the season. But they boys just kept playing great!
Problem #2: The manager, Ron Washington, admitted to using cocaine on an occasion and failed a drug test. He handled it well and went to Ryan, admitted what he had done, apologized publicly, etc, etc. They decided not to fire him. Good thing. I think he was a big part of the Ranger's success. He showed how to handle a mistake in the public eye with lots of class. He never denied anything and you could tell he deeply regretted it. I don't condone what he did, but I think he handled it the best way possible.
Ok. All this brings me to why I'm so happy and proud of this team. These guys stuck it out when things were not so pretty. This team was not expected to win in the division series. Never had before. They were really not expected to beat the Yankees and win the American League Championship. But they did. They are probably not expected to win the world series either. But I think they will.
Josh Hamilton, outfielder and hitter extraordinaire won the American League batting title this year. Talk about a comeback. Several years back he was very heavy into drugs and alcohol. Probably knocked on death's door more than once. But he beat his addictions and overcame them to not only come back and play, but to come back and play amazingly. And win. When the team clenched the division in Oakland they broke out the champagne and celebrated liked they all do. Josh Hamilton, a huge part of why they were winners, was not there sharing in the inebriating celebration. He can't and won't be near alcohol.
Now, this is what I think is the most amazing thing about this team...When they beat Tampa Bay for the division series. The locker room celebration was done with ginger ale! That's right. Teammate C.J. Wilson and equipment manager Richard "hoggy" Price initiated this. Hamilton was met with a ginger ale shower when he came in the locker room. How incredible is that?
And when they beat the Yankees for the American League championship, the on field celebration was with ginger ale. So Hamilton could be a part of it. Not much has been said about this in the media, especially the national media, but that is what I consider one of the best stories in baseball. Finally, a GOOD example of behavior in sports for our kids to see!
But speaking of bad examples...
I was appalled to see the Yankee fan who interfered with our outfielder then proceeded to make obscene gestures to him after he got the home run ball. The TV cameras caught it all. Appalling! The Yankee fans were also throwing things and spitting on Ranger fans seated in the visiting family section...these fans happened to be Nolan Ryan and Cliff Lee's wife among others. I'm sorry but you don't spit or throw beer on Nolan Ryan! And the Yankees are dying to get Cliff Lee. They wanted him this year and missed out when we got him. They will be trying to get him next year. Hmmm...wonder if he and his family will want to go there after they spit on his wife. Appalling. Want to read about that? Here's an article: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Will-spitting-Yankee-fans-play-a-role-in-Cliff-L?urn=mlb-279919 I would be ashamed if Ranger fans acted that way.
Ok. Back to the good...
Tonight is game 1 of the World Series. You know I will be watching and root, root, rooting for my Rangers!
2 comments:
I am so out of the loop with the World Series! I hope your team wins though!! good luck!!
Happy Halloween.. Go Rangers..
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