World Series Strangers No More!

Every excuse you've ever used for the Rangers just got thrown out.  "They can't pitch in that ballpark" - GONE.  "It's too hot in Texas" - GONE.  "They never win after the All-Star break" - GONE.  

The fact is, this team never had the TEAM that was built for a true pennant push until this year.  There are so many things to like about this team that it's impossible to state them all.  One day, you'll read a book about these Rangers or maybe even see a movie about them. 

This team overcame the following:

1.  Josh Hamilton's fall off of the wagon last year.

2.  Ron Washington's cocaine admission in March that happened last year.

3.  The bankruptcy of the team by owner Tom Hicks

4.  Never having won but one playoff game

5.  A fanbase that would rather talk about Cowboys training camp in July than the 1st place Rangers.

6.  Your top two starters to begin the season (Scott Feldman and Rich Harden) not make the playoff roster

7.  Your closer Frank Francisco was demoted after a week on the job and replaced by a rookie

8.  The back and forth court battles that came down to a late night standoff in a Fort Worth courtroom.

9.  Virtually no catcher to speak of until July.

10.  and on, and on, and on.....

I pick the Rangers to win the West every year, so this year was no surprise.  But I think all of us that truly follow this team and drool when pitchers and catchers report to spring training knew that something special was going to happen in Arlington this year.  And tonight by beating the Yankees to find themselves in the World Series for the first time, should now have them known for something other than introducing nachos to Major League Baseball.

To see the excitement of the crowd when Nelson Cruz hit the Yankee dagger was absolutely breathtaking to witness.  All I've ever wanted is for my ugly little girl to go to the prom.  And tonight, a limo pulled up...and Nolan Ryan opened the door with white gloves on.

All of us true Rangers fans that have spent summer after summer wondering if we were really a Major League team had everything validated tonight.  Tonight meant that there actually is payoff for loyalty, patience, and class.  I think the great Tom Landry would be way more happy with the Rangers fan base right now than America's Team...that's not even Arlington's Team.

Today is for all of the people in the Rangers organization through the years and the fans that wanted them to be a winner for so long.  These are the names that just come off the top of my head....

Mark Holtz, Eric Nadel, Jim Sundberg, Steve Busby, Chuck Morgan, Tom Vandergriff, Nolan Ryan, Michael Young, Toby Harrah, Buddy Bell, Ferguson Jenkins, George W. Bush, Rafael Palmeiro, Kenny Rogers, Sisters Maggie and Frances, Zonk, Bobby Witt, Jeff Russell, Will Clark, Ivan Rodriguez, Johnny Oates, Rusty Greer, Mike Hargrove, Tom Grieve, David Clyde, Jeff Burroughs, Charlie Hough and so so many more.

Texas Rangers fans, you deserve this.