TwitterALCS Over
23 Oct 2010
When I was 18, my parents announced that we would be moving to Dallas, Texas. I went away to college and jobs from there, but for 15 years or so, “going home” meant going to Dallas. During that time in Texas, I developed an appreciation of the Texas Rangers. This was a time before widespread internet use and DirecTV packages that gave you baseball games from all over the country. Basically, I had one option if I wanted baseball on a summer night when I was home and that was the Rangers. I was incredibly lucky on this front for two reasons. First, the Rangers had Nolan Ryan and he was a lot of fun to watch. I tried to make as many of his starts as I could each summer and I still remember that unique “pop” I heard when the ball hit the catcher’s glove. Second, being in Texas placed me at the Ballpark in Arlington on the night of July 28th, 1994, when Kenny Rogers pitched a perfect game. Seeing one in person is sort of the equivalent of winning the baseball lottery.
I have been trying to draw on that “appreciation” of the Rangers for the last two hours to give me comfort. While I am happy for the various Texans I know who are happy right now, I am really disgusted by the Yankees’ performance in this series. Phil Hughes was atrocious in his two starts. A-Rod was invisible in the entire playoffs. When you think about it, what Yankees other than Cano and Granderson played well? Most of the team came up small and I don’t know if that should be attributed to the Rangers excellence or the Yankees mediocrity.
What seems clear in retrospect is that this team peaked too early. On September 4th they were 36 games over .500. They finished the year 9-17. They rebounded from that to sweep the Twins, but they didn’t execute the same way in the ALCS. Now they are headed home and they have a lot of questions facing them. Once again, they must get younger and once again that will be a challenge. Have we seen the last of some iconic Yankees in pinstripes? Stay tuned to what should be the most interesting offseason we have had in these parts in years.
Oct 23, 2010 @ 08:48:32
Who knew you spent time in Texas, interesting that it comes out in the end…lol, just kidding.
I think Texas is a very good club that somehow only won 90 games. They have the hunger that we’ve seen over the years in teams. I think of the 91 Braves. They might have been happy at first to get this far but now they are having too much fun and believe they can win it all. The Yankees looked like they had the pressure on their shoulders of not-trying-to-lose which comes from the constant expectations and belief that “They’re the Yankees” mentality.
I don’t think the Giants story is a good one for baseball if they beat the Phillies, but Texas getting into the Series I think works (outside of Yankee fans) because of the Nolan Ryan angle and they don’t really have any players that you love to hate. I will root for them in the series regardless of which NL team makes it.
Oct 23, 2010 @ 23:42:00
BL
Sadly, I spent 10 years in Boston too
I think Texas-San Fran will work because you have the “never” factor. Texas was originally the Senators, part two, and the Giants last won when they played in NY- 56 years ago. Apart from Cubs-Cleveland, it’s about as close as you are going to get to two overdue franchises.
Oct 23, 2010 @ 23:48:03
true, that last pitch to Howard tonight was too close to take for your big bopper. Too many times walks are considered as good as hits, this was too close to take.
The sadness is that you say sadly.
Oct 24, 2010 @ 00:00:06
I think he was completely frozen. He had no chance.
I think another thing that should be fascinating in the WS is the fact that both bullpens could completely blow up at any time. Should make from some exciting late innings. (Though let’s just call it 1-0 Texas after Game 1 now)