Chris Young made it clear that his goal with the Texas Rangers was to win a championship. The front office gave the green light and an open checkbook to Young to make it happen. Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Nathan Eovaldi, and Jacob deGrom, amongst others, were brought in as high profile free agents. The likes of Max Scherzer and Aroldis Chapman were brought in via trade. All of those moves had one goal in mind – to win the franchise’ first championship.
Those dreams have finally come true. The Rangers have won the World Series for the first time in franchise history as they are no longer the oldest team without a championship in the four major American sports. A four run ninth inning proved decisive in their clinching victory.
Texas Rangers exorcize ghosts of World Series past
This postseason has been a coming out party for the Rangers. Eovaldi continued to add to his postseason bonafides. Adolis Garcia became a household name. Corey Seager continued to be the modern day Mr. October (apologies to Bob Nightengale and his insane list of people he called Mr. October). Bruce Bochy proved that he was still one of the greatest managers the game had ever seen. It didn’t matter that Scherzer and Garcia were injured in Game Three – the Rangers just kept on coming.
But this is also for the ghosts of the past. This is for Ron Washington, who just could not get those final outs a decade ago. This is for Nelson Cruz, who should not have been in the outfield in those moments. It is for Alexi Ogando, a 2011 All Star who lost his command during the World Series. It is for Cliff Lee, and David Murphy, and Ian Kinsler, and others who just could not perform up to expectations when they needed to the most.
The Rangers have had a long 62 years. They have watched their division and state rivals, the Astros, turn into a powerhouse. The AL West had become their playground; they were a World Series favourite heading into each of the last few seasons. And now, the Rangers have snatched that crown away and have become the kings of the majors. Maybe Creed was the difference.
The Texas Rangers have finally won the World Series. Those ghosts of postseasons past are now dead and buried.
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