Texas Two-Step

For the second straight year the Texas Rangers lost in the World Series. Though this year, they were not defeated as soundly as last year when the San Francisco Giants defeated them in five games. It took the Rangers seven games and an improbable comeback by the St. Louis Cardinals, to go down in defeat this year.

Not since the 1992 Atlanta Braves, has a team lost consecutive World Series. Being in the World Series two years in a row is not an easy feat. Give the Rangers credit. They are a very good team. This year the Rangers improved on last year’s team, and became a team built for a championship. But yet again, they still go out as losers.

What is the most agonizing for the Rangers organization and their fans is how painfully close the Rangers got to the franchise’s first championship. Game six was one of the most historic, improbable games in World Series history. A classic game filled with more memorable moments than an entire World Series. But what will be remembered most by Ranger fans is that elusive strike, or how Nelson Cruz inexplicably could not catch that deep fly ball. When the opportunity for them to be champions arose, it was the Rangers inability to capture that final out that did them in.

Before the Series began, the Rangers were a confident team full of Texas bravado. Even Nolan Ryan, the club’s high profile owner, guaranteed a World Series victory in six games. The team feeling that last year’s World Series defeat was an anomaly. And quotes like “We didn’t play our game” began to surface. Sure that’s a bit cocky, but it’s also inaccurate. The Giants had a lot to do with Texas losing in 2010. In fact, Giants pitching dominated the Rangers, shutting them out twice. And the Giants outscored them 29-12 in five games.

Even when losing, Nolan Ryan is an owner that seems to get more face time on national TV than Kim Kardashian. You can tell exactly how the Rangers are doing in a game simply by looking at him. Countless times we’ve seen his scowling expression when the Rangers aren’t winning, and him high-fiving fans when things are going well. And who doesn’t tire of images of Ryan and George W. Bush yukking it up in the stands. You put top hats on these guys and they look like they’re straight out of the board game Monopoly, lighting cigars with $500 bills. Don’t mess with Texas.

Last year the Rangers were outplayed. This year, the Rangers had a shot at being champions. On more than one occasion, it looked like they would be hoisting a trophy. It’s not every year that a team has a championship within their grasp. The Rangers could not get it done. But congratulate the Cardinals, they took it, and deserved it.

As for the Rangers, well, losing doesn’t seem to be dampening their spirits. The team is flush with money and their bankruptcy days seem to be well behind them. Many have them to be in the playoffs again next year. But be cautious with your bravado Texas. There is a short list of teams that have lost three World Series in a row. Only the 1909 Detroit Tigers and the 1913 New York Giants share that honor. And if the Rangers don’t figure out how to win a championship, then they’ll be waltzing out as losers again next year. But for now, the Texas Rangers are the 2011 American League champs, nothing less, and for the second straight year, nothing more.


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