Awakening Texas Pride.

Hello everyone and Happy Saturday Morning!

You can include me in this group. I was made aware by numerous sources that Rangers fans stayed in and around Arlington last night after completing the second leg of an amazing journey out of the doldrums.

Count me in among the many who questioned what kind of grit Colby Lewis was going to have as a starter when 2010 began. Question no more after two playoff appearances against the Yankees and results that could fall near the category of Cliff Lee-esque. Yet I digress.

Work was slow as many many people, myself included, were able to watch the final five innings at the watering hole I call Cool River. As the game progressed and the outcome appeared to be evident my mind began to race.



Ron Washington, a manager under intense scrutiny for an off-the-field peccadillo last year, who said from day one that pitching and defense shall yield great results. I smiled when the players gave him that ice shower at games end.

Nelson Cruz. Three memorable walk-off home runs at the hands of the Yankees, Red Sox, and A's. Simply amazing in the clutch with a great arm in right field.

Michael Young. The face and the General of the Rangers franchise this decade. I thought back to an August day in 2005 when he questioned Ranger personnel in Cleveland if the organization was committed to winning. Young got his answer last night.

Jon Daniels. The boy wonder of a GM who hopped on board in October 2005 and after a few misfires succeeded at making the Rangers Farm system #1 in all of baseball. His ability to trade for Cliff Lee, Vlad Guerrero, Benji Molina, and Mr. Cantu was outstanding.

C.J. Wilson. For years treated with ambivalence as a reliever, in 2010 Wilson became the heart of the soul of the Rangers starting pitching. Time and time again coming up big in games inside the A.L. West. 

Josh Hamlton. If Hammy did not break his ribs in September and not missed 25 games, one can only wonder what kind of numbers he might have put into place. A definite candidate for MVP.

Elvis Andrus. His fielding and his running and cunning on the basepaths added another wrinkle in the dimensin of the Texas Rangers. That and all that hair.

David Murphy. A starter on any other team, David Murphy has been a rock when called upon to play anywhere in the outfield or DH position. Great in the clubhouse and presence!

Nolan Ryan. The perfect guy to be the face of the franchise! Since 2008, efforts made to stick to a plan and see it through. It took a while but now in firm control of this ballclub. He will exert influence to bring players to Arlington.

Vladimir Guerrero. Scorned at the Angels for not resigning him, The first half of 2010 was spent blistering the cover off the ball. Despite a slight slide in August and early September, it appears the Impaler is about to break out again as we near the World Series...Comeback Player of the Year!

Neftali Feliz. A 40 save season for a rookie! Numerous instances coming in for a 5 out appearance and having resounding success. I was happy to see him get that last out on A-Rod.

For 50 years this Texas franchise was the laughing stock of baseball and the American League. Not this year. Not now and dare I say not ever again.

The Rangers outscored, outhit, outpitched, and outhustled the Yankees by a 2-1 margin. Need I say more? Chemistry and team philosophy has been key! All that remains now is whom Texas shall play. The Phillies or the Giants? In the events the Giants and Rangers decide to meet up this will be a matchup of the first ever interleague game played in 1997. And so it goes.

Heard often today on my phone and message board. 'Did this really happen? Am I dreaming? Pinch me if I'm alseep! Rangers? World Series? Texas?' 

In a word, yes! After a nine year investment in heat, humidity, and humility, the boys came through... Here's hoping I fulfill a lifelong dream with a World Series game alongside my sister. That would be worth more than the price of admission. Go Rangers!

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will