Arlington, Texas — I've had four days to reflect on the Texas Rangers losing the World Series in five games to the San Francisco Giants.
Sure, it stung a bit to witness a 4-0 Giants shutout in Game 4 at the ballpark on Sunday. And it was tough to see San Francisco clinch on TV Monday as I watched the game at my parents' house in Plano. Not the results I had in mind when making the visit to Texas.
Truthfully, though, my disappointment didn't last long. In taking a step back and thinking about the big picture, it was the most exciting sports season I've ever followed.
When thinking about the 2010 Texas Rangers, I'm pretty sure I know what I'll be saying for the foreseeable future: That was one heck of a season.
To win the AL West by nine games was convincing and legitimate. To win 90 games was spectacular. To knock out the Tampa Bay Rays as an underdog in the American League Divisional Series was fulfilling. To knock out the New York Yankees as an even bigger underdog in the AL Championship Series was awe-inspiring, emotional and out-of-this world tremendous.
The Rangers made team history in so many ways this postseason. They won their first postseason series in franchise history. They played in their first-ever World Series.
It's been an uphill climb for manager Ron Washington, who finished his first season in 2007 at 75-87, last place in the AL West. He's improved every year since then:
2008: 79-83, second place.
2009: 87-75, second place.
2010: 90-72, first place.
It was a heck of a run, one I'll never forget. I'm eagerly awaiting the DVD of season highlights so I'll have it on video whenever I feel like reflecting some more.
It will be an interesting offseason filled with a plethora of decisions for Rangers management.
Just this week, the team signed Washington to a new contract that will keep him in Texas through the 2012 season.
I'm hoping president and co-owner Nolan Ryan keeps general manager Jon Daniels in Arlington for a new contract as well. Daniels, one of the primary reasons the farm system is so loaded, has his current contract run through 2011. An effort must be made to bring him back long-term.
Cliff Lee is a free agent, the most coveted free agent out there this winter, and he'll be sought after by just about everyone, most notably the Yankees. It would be beyond frustrating for Lee to end up in New York, so I'm hoping the Rangers do everything they can to bring the lefty ace back.
A decision has to be made whether to bring back designated hitter Vlad Guerrero, who led the team with 115 RBIs this season.
With Bengie Molina retiring, there's a huge hole at catcher.
Many questions to be answered.
With a World Series appearance and new ownership, I'm hopeful the Rangers have more money to play with this offseason. Last year around this time, Daniels was operating with a strict budget because the team was on the brink of bankruptcy. Yet he still made brilliant moves (signing Guerrero and Colby Lewis, most notably) that positioned the Rangers to win the AL West, and make a deep postseason push. I'm confident Daniels would continue to improve the team significantly with more cash at his disposal.
For now, I'm not quite ready to think about offseason moves. Forgive me, but I'm still reflecting on the most successful season in Texas Rangers history. May there be many more to come.
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