Like the Song Goes—“THEY DID IT THEIR WAY!”

 

The 2024 Home portion of the MLB Season for the Defending World Series Champions, Texas Rangers is coming to an end this weekend—with the final six games to close it out at Globe Life Field, have the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Seattle Mariners coming through town, the Rangers who start this final series at home are 9 games out of first place in the American League West, and they are 7 games out of the Wild Card race… either way there will be NO post season for this team this year.

The bright side of this, is that Chris Young, their GM has been given an extension on a contract and a new title of President and oversees Baseball Operations, so that will help, and that Manager Bruce Bochy will return to the dugout for another season (it will be his third in that capacity).

The Rangers will go into the off season, with more questions than answers, the first being, if certain players return to the Rangers for the 2025 season, that would include names such as Catcher Jonah Heim, Outfield- Adolis Garcia, some pitchers might not be back like Nathan Eovaldi—but that pretty much is still up in the air, all of those names are actually still possible to stay with the Rangers, but the Winter Meetings in December, in Dallas, Texas—will be very telling.

The celebration of the opening game of the 2024 season against the Chicago Cubs, at home, the presentation of the Commissioners Trophy, the dropping of the World Series Banner from the rafters, the fans enjoying the excitement of reliving that Championship feel, one more time.

The season showcased, because of the likes of Chuck Morgan, the promotional items through out the year, the replica Championship rings, the bobble heads that showcased the Gold Glove Winners, the moments of the Post Season, the replica Jerseys of  players that made an impact during the post season and the World Series—and again the joy and delight of the fans that were able to participate with receiving those items.

The ALL STAR GAME, that was held in July at the home of the World Series Champions, from the previous year, that was special, only the third time in baseball history, has that happened, once with the New York Giants the other was the New York Yankees, and now the Texas Rangers can add their name to that very small list of teams to have done that feat.

Alas, though this season is coming to an end, and this team, will not be able to repeat as Champions, and this team, will lick their wounds and prepare for the off season that is about to come, and set their sights on what will be available with either trades, free agency, or better yet in the amateur draft come June of 2025.

For now, though, those of us that have suffered the slings and arrows of previous years of, “Wait til next year”—we did and we got there, and we were just full of the joy and the thrill, that North Texas claimed another championship in the area, the Dallas Cowboys are FIVE TIME Super Bowl Champions, the NHL’s Dallas Stars, Stanley Cup Champions, the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, and now the Rangers are a part of that lore. HOWEVER! Let us not forget the minor league champions in the area as well, the TWO TIME Texas League Champions Frisco Roughriders, the CHL Ft Worth Brahmas, the CHL/ECHL 4 time Champions Allen Americans.

So this is a CITY OF CHAMPIONS—a METROPLEX of Champions…. And the Texas Rangers, added to that compliment of trophies in the trophy case.

Lets see what happens in 2025, and if Bruce Bochy once again, can show that he is indeed the Mad Scientist, and recreate once again, what he did in the city by the Bay, and replicate the same magic and bring home another championship with the name Rangers attached to it!

 

Just a thought

 

Looking up at Seattle!

 

That’s what the DEFENDING WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS are doing right now—looking up at the Seattle Mariners—in second place in the American League West 4.5 games out of first as the Tuesday night begins with the second game of a three game set against the Detroit Tigers.

The Rangers though have (and this is a recent count TWELVE players on the Injured List!

That’s more a M*A*S*H unit than a baseball team- with the latest member joining that injury ward is Evan Carter the Rookie sensation from last season!

Pitchers are one thing—but position players and bats, that’s something totally different. Dependability—you count on those players to be in your lineup or sitting on the bench to be used when you need them. When they are sitting out of games it weakens your chances to maintain the winning percentage you count on!

I know the mad scientist, in Bruce Bochy, is trying to figure it out and maintain the optimum from this team, but its hard to do.

There is the MLB Draft coming up in July (same time as the MLB ALL STAR GAME to be held at Globe Life Field) and the trade deadline has been pushed back to August 1^st, as opposed to the beginning of July as it was normally held.

Robert Manfred, who, like most people, am not a huge fan of, the changes that he instilled in the game, I believe has cheapen the game. The PITCH CLOCK, the BIGGER bases, the ability to look at calls from New York and change them on the field, and removing the human element from the game. DOES it really make the game BETTER? Frankly I don’t think so, but then again I am a purest of the game.

Yes this is MY Opinion, and like most opinions, they are like belly buttons, we all have one—but the fact is, I am not a fan of the Commissioner of Baseball!

Here’s another thought—recently the commissioner of the game has suspended FIVE players, for gambling- ONE for LIFE—Tucupita Marcano from the San Deigo Padres—his career is gone—never to be associated with MLB ever again,  four others are gone for 1 year, for the same thing!

Ohtani for the Dodgers who’s former friend and interpreter was fired and arrested and indicted on gambling charges as well as others, was not named in this investigation, so he was cleared of any wrong doing.

The more you want this team to start streaking, the more you see the holes in the lineup.

Its still early in the season, just the start of June, come mid July that should be the tale tell sign of what this team is made of, and if they will charge towards the end of the season to make it to another post season.

In the meanwhile, it seems winning begets other teams to do the same thing in the city—Like the Dallas Mavericks who find themselves in the NBA FINALS against the Boston Celtics, as the Dallas Stars run to the Stanley Cup came up short, against the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Finals.

And Speaking of Hockey—the Allen Americans (ECHL) dismissed their General Manager/Head Coach, Chad Costello, after exiting in the first round of the Kelley Cup playoffs. And with NEW OWNERSHIP, they most likely wanted someone that was THEIR man and not one that they inherited from the previous ownership.

The Arlington Renegades finished their season in the UFL, the defending XFL champions won just three games out of 10, and never really got on track for the 2024 season.

All in all, it will be interesting to see if the Rangers bounce back, if the Mavericks can bring the O’Brien trophy back to the Metroplex, and if the Cowboys can actually absorb any of the good Ju- Jue to make a run for their “PROMISED LAND” (AKA—SUPER BOWL)—

Its just a thought !

What do you to STOP a SKID! YOU GO GRAY!

 

Arlington, Texas—The Texas Rangers amid a five game losing streak—go into a Wednesday night game against the Cleveland Guardians (aka the Indians for those of us that recall) and after losing the opener by being shut out—and again the next night losing 7-4 – the Rangers blanked the Guardians 4-0 behind the masterful pitching of Jon Gray and the bullpen.

They only gave six hits and struck out 9 walking 2 for the entire game and the furthest that Cleveland got on the bases was 2^nd base—the Rangers on the other hand—well they launched two BIG HOMERS in the game, one by Marcus Semien with one on in the 5^th the other by Adolis Garcia (who else) in the bottom of the 6^th with one on—and there’s your scoring for the night.

The star of this game though was indeed, Jon Gray who went 6 and a third inning, giving up a total of four hits, gave up 2 walks, and struck out 3, but it was ground ball outs that helped him the most with several struck to the first basemen Nathaniel Lowe, who lobbed toss to the sprinting Gray to cover the bag, and for the out. One double play that Seager took to the bag at second unassisted and then fired to first to get the batter, those are the plays that make a team get out of a slump in a hurry.

This team will meet up with the Angels of Anaheim on the weekend before hitting the road for several games.

With the Angels, you get the return of former Ranger Manager Ron Washington who is now the Skipper of that team, and as always, for us, its good to see him, not thrilled to have him in the other dug out—but none the less he is always been a friendly face to see, and he makes it a point to say HI to us when he is in town.

Just a quick side note—the REPLICA Championship rings (such a hot item) are going to be given away throughout the season, INCLUDING the June 4^th game when Texas takes on the Detroit Tigers at Globe Life Field—that will be Marcus Semien’s ring first 15000 will get that prize!

Its Just a thought

Enough is Enough Already!

 

The fall of great products has occurred…. BUD LIGHT—fell because they thought that putting a TRANSGENDER female on their advertising would increase sales--- how did that work out for you Budweiser? OH and NOW the GREAT AND MIGHT SPORTS ILLUSTRATED has fallen by the way side after close to 70 years in publishing because they chose to go with ARTIFICAL INTELLEGENCE! FALSE NAMES—FALSE WRITERS! FALSE READERS!

Yep, how the mighty have fallen!

IT makes one sick of this NEW society, of the ENTILED generation, I have no idea how the “KARENS” of the word got started, when did manners go out the window, when did hard work and ethics just get dumped on the side of the road like trash?

Never mind the lives that are ruined by this, never mind that there are mouths to be fed, or roofs to be kept over their heads, never mind that CORPORATE CHIEFS believe that they KNOW better! BECAUSE THEY DON’T!

Look at media in general, no more daily news papers in certain parts of the country, no more magazines to be kept on the racks, hell, this generation has no idea of the type of magazines we  depended on as a youth, be it BOYS LIFE if you were a Boy Scout, or LOOK, LIFE, and TIME magazines were a must in not just the homes but in offices and such, There was stories, and photos, and images that, yes you can see them on line, but to hold it in your hands and smell the freshness of that magazine when you purchased it. OH and yes there was Playboy, that, lets face the facts, that pretty much kept a lot of young men yearning to return home from their tour of duty in Southeast Asia.

But for those of us that lived and died with Sports Illustrated, their stories and photos brought to life the moments that took place, like World Series, and Super Bowls, the NCAA Final Four, the Kentucky Derby, the Triple Crown, the Champions of Wimbledon, and the Finish line at the INDY 500.

Just those few out of the thousands of events that Sports Illustrated covered with not just their photographers, but their writers, their feelings, their emotions, that is what made that “Rag” as some called it the best to be delivered! NOW its all just cut cost because this generation that is with us right now, has no appreciation of the art and the integrity that one has to have to be a journalist!

Go into any school that offers class in journalism, be it on the high school level, writing for your school paper- oh wait they don’t have that any more, now its video and showing a NEWS cast from the “studio” in the school, but its not journalism, its, what is my friend doing in the hall and lets ask them just random questions!

College level journalism, there used to be a class on ethics, and the do’s an don’ts of journalism, we already had one SIDELINE REPORTER admit that they made up quotes from coaches at half time to go on the air say that the coach told them in the second half what they had to do to. YES its coach speak, but really??? I have been a sideline reporter before, and if the coach didn’t wish to speak with me or didn’t have time as they are running out onto the field for the second half I would tell my producer/director, hey—I got nothing! YES I could have made something up, but that’s not right. Its not ETHICAL!

SO AI is NO BETTER! IF its not there, then how can write about it--- because some one, somewhere fed it to them through their system? That makes it better????

ENOUGH ALREADY with the WOKE and the ENTILED crap! GROW THE HELL UP and be at least honest and loyal to who pays the freight!

YOU complain about advertisers, and you complain about the lack of income—look at radio, Audicy the company that purchased CBS RADIO—they are BROKE! They are going under—and the hundreds of stations will suffer—in Dallas/Ft, Worth alone there are like several stations under that banner—Starting off with the Flag Ship Station(s) of the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers—KRLD FM 105.3fm and their sister station on the am side KRLD 1080… what once was KLUV is now the SPOT, 98,7FM, KVIL 103.7 or ALT Radio, 107.5 FM Hispanic Radio,

We watched as BALLY SPORTS were purchased by Amazon Sports, and wow—Bally before them was FOX SPORTS SOUTHWEST.

The change owners like you and I change shirts. You can’t tell who owns who until it comes out in the trades of even the Wall Street Journal.

Who—really WHO is going to stop this madness—is it going to be YOU or someone that has had their fill of this crap!

I stated earlier about Karen’s- and where the hell did that all start? I mean I know there are those who feel like they are being wronged- but to just outburst and go nuts, where did that come from, who in their lives did them wrong like that?

When did it become the “TEACHERS” fault for YOUR child failing, its not the school, it’s the HOME that failed, your child spends their life on their phone and not interacting with another human being, in school is the ONLY time that they have, to interact. YOU!!!! YOU!!!! THE PARENT—did you live like that when you were growing up, most likely NO! You had a life outside of your house, only because YOUR parents made it that way—both your parents worked and that made you more self reliant on being independent… and because of that, when you became a parent you had no idea of what it was like to discipline your child to make them respect those in charge of their lives inside the walls of a school.

THE GENERATION known as Baby Boomers, we were the last of the breed that respected the teacher, the school and what they meant to us, we forged our way through that and became better people, but somewhere along the line—we lost our mind! Really—the generation has just left the sanity of life somewhere in the dust!

I for one, am just sick of this crap—and would love for someone to stand up, take a hold of the reins of this run away horse and pull back on it and just kick some sense into this Society, and bring order to it, and settle it down a bit and work our way through the issues and the problems.

This rambling is more of a man venting his frustrations and for the love of all that is sane—grow up and, grow some balls, and stop being offended by every little thing that comes down the pike!

Man its to the point where you can’t joke about anything or anyone without offending them—or worse you can’t have mascots of our American Indians, because you are offensive to them—has it EVER occurred to you, that maybe its honoring that heritage and not smearing it, has it EVER occurred to you that maybe the NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN is proud to have that emblem emblazed on uniforms and hats, that NO ONE FORGETS who they were and are, and are proud to be held in esteem honor that way!

NO-- all you see is the crap that YOU want to see and hear—GROW THE HELL UP!

ENOUGH ALREADY—STOP BEING “WOKE” and “WAKE UP”

 

Just a thought

TEXAS RANGERS WORLD CHAMPIONS!

 

The 2023 Texas Rangers became the WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS for 2023 for the first time in franchise history! Since this club was back in Washington DC as the Senators in 1961 then 11 years

later they moved to N. Texas because of a Mayor with a dream, Tom Vandergriff!

That move brought Major League Baseball to the Dallas/ Ft. Worth Metroplex, and to have TWO major sports in the area, the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, and the Texas Rangers!

51 YEARS later, after their arrival to the area, they hoist the Commissioners Trophy high above their heads!

There are so many names that come into our minds, that wore the Ranges uniform, that suffered the many years of losing records, then there was the first year that they won the Division and go up against the New York Yankees—1996 then again in 98 and 99, then wait another decade to win the America League Pennant in 2010 against those PINSTRIPES and the Yankees and the first trip to the World Series, again in 2011 and missing out in game six—to the St. , Cardinals, this team waited for 12 years to get back to that dance—and this time the walk off with the BIG BRASS RING!

Lets think about guys like Toby Harrah, Paul Linblad, Pete O’Brien, Al Oliver, Buddy Bell, Pete Incavilia, Ruben Serria, Bobby Witt, Chalie Hough, Jim Sundberg, Pudge Rodriguez, Will Clark, Mickey Tittleton, Dave Hostetller, David Clyde, Steve Beuchel, Rusty Greer, Kenny Rogers and then there are managers like Ted Williams, Frank Luccessi, Billy Martin, Doug Rader, Bobby Valentine, Buck Showalter, Ron Washington, Jeff Banister, Johnny Oates, and everyone that was ever a part of this franchise.

There are friends and family that have left this world without seeing this day come, one is my Dad, who taught me the game, and the love of the game, and the purpose of the game! My dad passed away in September 1980, but then there are those like my friends, Frank “Doc” Moorefield, Mike Young, Ted Nichols-Payne, David Crome, Judge Jonathan Hayes, Mark Holtz, Dick Reisenhoover, Joe Macko, and so many more that come to mind!

My first game inside ol Arlington Stadium with my Dad and four of my buddies on KIDS DAY against the Boston Red Sox, only to see them lose—but the fact is that game, that moment, instilled my love for the game!

They say there is no crying in baseball, I am here to tell you.. BULL!!!!!!!!!!! There are tears that streamed down my face in the bottom of the 9^th inning, and with two outs, and watching the final out being made on a breaking ball from Josh Sborz and the final strike out! THE SHOCK through my body and the emotions of knowing that this moment is here finally and the joke of- “HELL HAS FINALLY FROZEN OVER” Since the Rangers won the World Series!

There now is a moment when you say—that DFW is a CITY OF CHAMPIONS they have now hit the Grand Slam of Champions—the Cowboys with Five Super Bowl Champions, the Dallas Mavericks with their Championship in 2011, the Dallas Stars with the Stanley Cup Championship in 1999 and NOW The Texas RANGER  WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS 2023.

 

Consider the fact that other than Super Bowls, where those games are played on somewhat neutral ground… The Teams that call Dallas and the Metroplex home, the Dallas Stars won their Stanley Cup won their championship in Buffalo, the Dallas Mavericks beat the Miami Heat in Miami, and now the Texas Rangers won their World Series in Phoenix.  Like we said, the Cowboys won their Super Bowls in New Orleans (twice), Pasadena, Atlanta, and Tempe to bring home their Lombardi Trophies.

Being a fan and enjoying the parade, to celebrate the win by your team, but it sort of misses the mark of how this place would have exploded, if they were in the building and with that last strike out, sort of what happened in 2010 when Neftali Feliz struck Alex Rodriguez for the final out in the American League Championship at the old Globe Life Park, the eruption that was heard from that building of 50,000 plus was ear splitting! BUT OH—IT WAS WORTH IT!

We said it then that, 2010, that ALCS was the Rangers World Series, because they beat the Yankees and that monkey came off their backs, then the following year, they went back to the Series, and they lost to the Cardinals, as we said before, how sick it made us on that last out in game Six only to lose the next day, and the Cardinals secured their 11^th Title.

2023, we said it at the beginning of the season when they opened up against the Philadelphia Phillies and walking around the stadium, speaking to players, and other media people, that this season had a special feel, and there was that moment when you meet the Manager Bruce Bochy on the side, shook his hand and introduced yourself to him, and said that what happened in 2010 is in the past, and see if he can bring that same magic to the Rangers.

Question—ANSWERED! LOUD AND CLEAR! WHY, YES HE CAN and DID!

So now we relish the win, celebrate the moment, and look forward to the next season and see if those who will be with this team come 2024 will produce another magical moment, and to steal from Baseball Hall of Fame Broadcaster, Eric Nadel “ WAKE UP RANGERS FANs—YOU’RE NOT DREAMING!” that phrase ranks up there with Chuck Coopersteins “The Mavericks have Planted their Flag on top of the NBA MOUNTAIN TOP”! same feeling to it!

If this was a dream, I don’t wish to wake up, and if I am awake, may I never sleep!

Just a thought!

2023 World Series Tied at 1 game a Piece!

 

This 119^th edition of the World Series is going to be an epic battle, at least its turning into such, as the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers have split the first two games of the series in Texas, and now move to Phoenix to start GAME 3 on Monday evening.

The first game goes extra innings, and in doing so, represents the anniversary of Game SIX of the 2011 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals with the Texas Rangers, battling back and getting the lead on Josh Hamilton’s home run and then Nelson Cruz loses the ball and it goes for extra bases for the Cardinals then bottom of the 11^th, David Freize goes yard to end the game in walk off fashion. Well Game one  of this series, goes into extra innings, after the Rangers tied it up in the bottom of the 9^th with a two run bomb by Corey Seager with Leody Taveras on base after a walk, and the Rangers extend the game.

THEN the DRAMATIC happens. The Bottom of the 11^th inning, no one on and one out after Evan Carter flies out to right field, the man, the myth, the NOW—LEGEND—Adolis Garcia, launches a shot into the right field seats and seals the come from behind win with a walk off home run, and send the Game ONE crowd of 42,472 into an ear splitting roar, and celebration!

Fast forward, game two!

The Diamondbacks start to play the brand of baseball that is more accustom to the National League style of play, that’s small ball. Bunting runners over a base, sacrificing themselves to do so, a home run here, a stolen base there, a bunt single, a fielders choice now and then, and the next thing you know the D’backs have a 2-1 lead, and then Mitch Garver steps up to give a bit of hope to the Ranger hopeful with a home run to cut that lead into half.

That doesn’t last very long as, the offensive barrage continues for the Snakes, they’re coiled were ready to strike and when the dust cleared they held a 9-1 lead and final over the Rangers in Game Two.

More so than that, the pitching for the Rangers in the beginning of the game, was spot on—three sold innings, even giving a couple of runs, still was able to shut it down, but the other side of the diamond.. the Diamondbacks, their pitching staff, indeed handcuffed the Rangers bats, not allowing a runner in scoring position all night, and what did score was on the solo shot as we mentioned before by Mitch Garver.

Asked the key players, like Jonah Heim, the All Star Catcher for the Rangers, what was the difference, he put bluntly, “I don’t comment on the Umpiring….” Which is code for, the strike zone changed throughout the evening, and what was once a strike was now being called a ball! And that cost the Rangers pitching staff throughout the night.

Matin Perez, who came on in relief in the later innings, was asked if he would be ready to start if needed in a game four or five, he stated, “whatever is required of me, I will answer the call”.

The Team as a whole doesn’t see a problem, they all pretty much say, that this team is a road team, and plays that way, after eliminating Tampa, Baltimore, AND Houston, to get to this point in the post season.

From here they travel to the home of the Diamondbacks and games 3-4-and 5 will take place, and if by some chance the Rangers find themselves having to come back to Texas those games six and seven will be Friday and Saturday nights at Globe Life Field in November.

The 2023 World Series, now its serious business!

 

Just a thought!

This Turns into a Best of THREE SERIES!

 

Arlington, Texas—The American League Championship Series becomes a best of THREE series with the Astros tying it up 2 games a piece, after the Texas Rangers had gone up TWO Games to NONE in Houston.

These two teams have swapped the home field advantage, and in doing so, now this becomes a best of three games series!

The Astros beat the Rangers in Game 4—10-3, and mainly behind home runs by Jose Abreu, who lit the scoreboard in the 4^th with a Three run shot to left field to make it 7-3 at the time, after the Rangers fought back after being down 3-0—to tie the game after getting 2 in the second inning with a home run and then a SAC fly to left field—the HOMER by Adolis Garcia and the SAC FLY RBI by Josh Jung to score Mitch Garve who had walked earlier in the inning—the Tying run on a solo shot to left center by Corey Seager, and it was a brand new ball game.

Well, at least that’s what the Rangers thought—until the ceiling came in on them with that aforementioned four run 4^th, and two more in the 7^th including a home run by Chas McCormick that scored two more runs to make it 9-3 and then another run in the 8^th that was scored from a lead off double by Jose Altuve, and that was the final run for the Astros needed to make it a 10-3 final.

The Bullpen for the Rangers just could not get the Astros down—one shut down inning in the 3^rd with a one-two-three inning, but after that—not so much walks, and home runs did this Ranger team in. Their bullpen, though was pretty much “starter by committee”, with the starter Andrew Healey going only 2/3 of an inning (never getting out of the 1^st inning is not a good sign to start with), and then giving way to Dane Dunning, then Cody Bradford, followed by Chris Stratton, Will Smith, and finally Martin Perez. All of which (outside of Stratton) gave up runs.

The 2-2 series now has one more game in Arlington, then the final two in Houston, and then the Series will start NEXT Saturday, and the match up is still up in the air, it could be a rematch of last years series with the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies, or if the Diamondbacks from Arizona can make it a series even though they are down 2-1 after game three. Rangers vs Diamondbacks would be an interesting series, but none the less, they have to get past a very good and determined Astros Team that has shown that they might be down, but not out, after their win in game four.

The final thought is, that the Rangers, having won 7 games in a row going into game three the night before, and losing 5-4, it was bound to happen, but getting shellacked 10-3 in game three—it will take some BRUCE BOCHY magic to get this team off the mat, and make this a series for the ages against a very good Houston Astros team that Dusty Baker has put together.

It will have to come down in the next three games—that’s what this has come down too, the best of three.

Just a thought.