R22

Originally Posted by R22

WOW!!!!! RANGERS WIN!! RANGERS WIN!!! that was just plain ole cool as, well it was just plain ole cool. after the explosive 9 RUN third inning, it was pretty much over except for the Rangers to just blow it. 9 runs!!!

it was great seeing the Rangers play like there are able to. the new Mr. October did it again!!! michael young, holy cow, what can you say about the man? he's been having a cold bat early on in the series, then lately he just cranks it up and shows how important he is to the team...... how important he is? what? the entire TEAM stupid, it's the entire TEAM!!!

these guys have melded into just one baseball playing machine.. hmmmm kinda like the Reds in the 70's??? maybe, just maybe.

now i'm going to write something that may be somewhat controversial, but it is my opinion so take it or leave it.......

one very important reason that the Rangers became a strong team may be...

last year before the season, it was pretty big news locally and i would guess somewhat nationally, that ron washington failed a drug test. he had tested positive for cocaine!!!! it was the talk around all the water coolers and of course on the local sports talk shows too.

the feeling i had from the folks spouting out opinions, was that washington should be run out of town and banned from baseball.
everyone hemmed and hawed about his saying that this was his first time ever to try the drug!! include me in that everyone there, yeah right ron!!

but an unusual thing happened.. the Rangers management in a very unpopular decision decided to give him a second chance. the players rallied around washington the person, drug addict (recovering) josh hamilton played it up big about his past with drugs and his fighting addiction. washington was humble and apologetic, he said all the right things and did all the right things in public.

then he lead the team to the world serious!! that was last year.

this year it's been TEAM, TEAM, TEAM since day one of spring training and continued through out the season, and so far into the playoffs.

the TEAM is going back to the world serious!!! and i can't help but remember that most of the fans here wanted washington's head. it was very very ugly for awhile there.. but the way that management, jon daniels and nolan ryan, handled the situation seems to have made the TEAM stronger and helped a man to overcome his mistake. a group of men, rallyed to help another man... a TEAM was molded and bonded through adversity and caring.

so that's my opinion.. if not for ron washington getting busted for cocaine use.... welp i'm not sure they would be where they are today, TEAM wise. sure the pitching and batting would probably still be there, but i'm just not sure the togetherness would be. and that togetherness is a big part of this TEAM'S success.

the Rangers are a TEAM of men that have fun playing a kid's game and part of that is because their manager is ron washington.

kudos to the Ranger TEAM!!! and to the front office, jon daniels for moves he made 3 years ago and this year, nolan ryan for that calming but demanding presence..........

now on to the WORLD SERIOUS!!!! GO RANGERS!!!