Summers Tall Shadows

For the first time this year I actually attended more than one Ranger ball game in a given week. Admittedly, I am starting to get a bit of a tingle in the back of my spine as I start to fathom an October in North Texas with baseball to be played in Arlington next to my home. Very exciting.

It does rather bestill me to see how the 'fans' of Texas teams exhibit the bandwagon mentality. One loss and you would think the wrath of Satan was about to touch down. With a win, little ability to enjoy the moment and season. Rather, the idea of looking ahead to 2011 seems more in vogue.

This is the kind of thinking you want to avoid. Still five weeks of baseball to be played. I have witnessed many a collapse of a horse that tried to go wire to wire only to fall at the finish. Not that I expect that in Texas, but it is always a concern.

In meeting up with some coworkers for the first of two-part diamond day, I felt the cool breeze that blew from the South. That feel of fall almost here despite the mercury read of 92 degrees at 1:30 pm. A team in town that has a history for strong September pushes. The local guys who haven't done this since 1999.

Today's rubber game proved bad for the Rangers as Colby Lewis was a little too fine with his pitch selection and an errant throw. Two homers and some poor defense led to an 8-2 defeat at the hands of the Oakland A's and Gio Gonzalez. The lead now at 7.5 games. Striking distance to be sure.

A sure sign that pro football is on the horizon are the number of college jerseys being worn. Texas, TCU, and Oklahoma. Funny, but I didn't see anyone wearing the Cowboys attire. I can foresee the perceived panic in Big D as the O-line continues to struggle.

Pals Dan and Boston were content to talk some shop and the potential of a World Series run in Arlington. It sure sounds great. I'm not sure how the locals would handle this. I do know this much. CJ must be your #1 and Cliff Lee your #2 at this juncture. Wilson has earned it. 6-0 with a 2.19 ERA since the All-Star break. Since Cliff Lee arrived...

It is rare to see multiple Rangers on a rehab assignment on the same given night. I was chuckling on the drive to Frisco because if I include the Roughrider skipper Steve Buechele, I have had pictures taken with Steve, Ian Kinsler, Dustin Nippert, and Nellie Cruz. Cristian Guzman also part of the walking wounded getting work in Frisco.

The Roughriders will also be in a playoff starting September 8th locally. It was kind of cool to watch the rehab boys wear the blue batting helmet at the plate. Still not ready for the major return, my guess is if all were healthy the A.L. West lead would be a double digit amount.

All the same it was great to make my first visit to Frisco in 2010. Watching tomorrow's players today is an added perk. The atmosphere is very family oriented and always upbeat.

Two weird things happened as I was taking pictures. A foul ball came my way and I was about to lay claim to a second caught foul ball in a ball game! Problem was, the ball bounced off a fans head. It hurt! I made sure to give the baseball to the fan with the bruised cranium.

No sooner do I walk on I hear someone call my name! After six years, Bartender Jose from Addison days and wife Karen meet up, catch up and talk it up for almost three innings. It was like it was still 2002. 

The sun slowly began to set as the game began to wind down. You know that a season is fast winding down by the size of the shadows that a ballpark exhibit based on the location of the sun in the sky. Tall tall shadows. Then that breeze returned again! It felt like fall was knocking on my door. Summer really is about over.

Frisco won the game 6-4 in the 8th. I wasn't exactly watching. Earlier in the game Ian Kinsler spanked a double and made a great stop at second base. His face will be welcome in the bigs shortly. Another memorable Diamond Double Dip went down memorably and favorably. My thanks to Jose and Karen for the hospitality. Likewise to Boston and Dan for the bar session earlier in the day.

Goodbye August...Hello September!

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will