Kansas City, Mo. — Just about 30 minutes until I board my flight at Kansas City International Airport and travel to Dallas for one of the most exciting trips I can remember taking.
At 7:20 tonight in Arlington, Texas, I'll be at Rangers Ballpark with my brother Dave to witness Game 4 of the World Series.
Series status: Giants 2, Rangers 1.
Hoping to bring the home team some added luck tonight.
Should be an interesting pitching matchup between young starters. Tommy Hunter, age 24, will oppose southpaw Madison Bumgarner, 21, on the hill. Hunter hasn't lasted more than four innings in a game this postseason. If he could go six tonight, I like our chances of tying up the series.
More than anything, I can't wait to take in the atmosphere of the ballpark tonight. I've been to 20-30 games in Arlington, and I feel like I could navigate the stadium like it's my second home. I've never seen a postseason game there, though.
From what I've seen on TV, the postseason atmosphere looks electric. The crowd stands quite a bit on second strike, two-out situations, even in the early innings. The decibel level appears unlike anything I've heard there before.
Dave wrote on my facebook wall at about 5 a.m. and said, "Can't sleep!! Too excited!!! See you in a few hours!!!" Indeed, this should be a memorable night, win or lose.
Timing the gameday traffic will be vital. The Cowboys play next door at noon. Hopefully, it doesn't go to overtime and football cars clear by 4-4:30 p.m. I'm thinking we'll want to leave by 4:30 p.m. to time it accordingly.
Usually, it takes 30 minutes from my parents' house in Plano. Since it's Sunday, we shouldn't hit any traffic until we get to the ballpark. Parking could get interesting, but if we leave at 4:30, I won't be concerned. Should leave us roughly two hours until the first pitch by the time we arrive.
I'll have a slew of updates on the blog tonight and tomorrow. Pictures will be taken en masse. A World Series program will be purchased. Tickets will be kept.
Dave and I will be sitting in the Grandstand Reserved section 343. Way up there, no doubt. But we have seats.
Can't wait to get there and watch the team I've been following for so long take part in the World Series.
Let's tie this thing up tonight.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
World Series Game 1 reaction: Unexpected outcome
Well, that wasn't what I expected.
The San Francisco Giants, after not scoring more than six runs in a single game all postseason, exploded for 11 runs on Wednesday night in a Game 1 victory over the Rangers.
Giants 11, Rangers 6.
Series status: Giants 1, Rangers 0.
What was so unexpected about it was it happened against Cliff Lee, one of the most dominant pitchers in the history of the postseason. Entering Wednesday night, Lee was 3-0 this postseason with an absurd 0.75 earned-run average. He had one walk in 24 innings. He was 7-0 with a 1.26 ERA for his postseason career.
What? The Giants did this to him, when he dominated the Yankees in New York? Tough to believe.
To me, Lee struggling wasn't even the most disappointing part of Game 1.
The Rangers committed an uncharacteristic four errors in the setback. You won't win many games that way. Two of the errors came from Vlad Guerrero in right field, a position he usually doesn't play. He did on Wednesday, though, so he could get into the lineup without a designated hitter in a National League park. It was a weird game.
One thing the Rangers have done this season, though, is respond after bad losses. The Yankees staged a comeback in Game 1 of the ALCS and the Rangers came back to dominate the series and win in six games.
That makes it all the more important for C.J. Wilson to limit the Giants' offense tonight. I think he's up for the challenge. And I expect the Rangers to play much cleaner baseball tonight.
Time to forget about Game 1 and even up this series.
The San Francisco Giants, after not scoring more than six runs in a single game all postseason, exploded for 11 runs on Wednesday night in a Game 1 victory over the Rangers.
Giants 11, Rangers 6.
Series status: Giants 1, Rangers 0.
What was so unexpected about it was it happened against Cliff Lee, one of the most dominant pitchers in the history of the postseason. Entering Wednesday night, Lee was 3-0 this postseason with an absurd 0.75 earned-run average. He had one walk in 24 innings. He was 7-0 with a 1.26 ERA for his postseason career.
What? The Giants did this to him, when he dominated the Yankees in New York? Tough to believe.
To me, Lee struggling wasn't even the most disappointing part of Game 1.
The Rangers committed an uncharacteristic four errors in the setback. You won't win many games that way. Two of the errors came from Vlad Guerrero in right field, a position he usually doesn't play. He did on Wednesday, though, so he could get into the lineup without a designated hitter in a National League park. It was a weird game.
One thing the Rangers have done this season, though, is respond after bad losses. The Yankees staged a comeback in Game 1 of the ALCS and the Rangers came back to dominate the series and win in six games.
That makes it all the more important for C.J. Wilson to limit the Giants' offense tonight. I think he's up for the challenge. And I expect the Rangers to play much cleaner baseball tonight.
Time to forget about Game 1 and even up this series.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
World Series countdown: Ready for action tonight
When I think about Game 1 of the World Series, set to take place at 6:30 tonight in San Francisco, so many exciting aspects immediately rush to the mind.
Here's what I'm looking forward to most about tonight.
• First and not surprisingly foremost, the Texas Rangers are making their first World Series appearance in team history. When I look back at our path to the World Series, it gives me great pleasure to think that Texas defeated two AL East teams to reach the promise land.
All season, the AL West seemed to be thrown to the side when thinking about the elite teams in MLB. Surely, New York, Tampa Bay or Boston would come out of the AL because that's just what happens. For the past three years, an AL East team has played in the World Series. It's been a different one each of those three years.
Not that many people focused on how feared a lineup the Rangers have when healthy. Not that many people realized how dominant the team could look when Cliff Lee gets the team rolling. Not that many people realized the present-day mentality of the Rangers. We are not a slugging team anymore. We are not like the slug-or-die Rangers playoff teams of the 90s that had first-round exits. This 2010 team can beat teams on the basepaths. They can beat teams with power. They can beat teams with pitching. That's why this team is the best team in franchise history, by a long shot.
• The pitching matchup tonight has the makings of an epic encounter. Lee vs. Tim Lincecum. It doesn't get much better than that.
FOX might be mad the Yankees and Phillies got knocked out, and therefore, the East Coast won't be nearly as interested in this World Series. Who knows. There's something really nice about it, though. There's good baseball away from the East Coast. The pitching matchup tonight should prove that.
• There's a small chance (I'd say under 10 percent) that the Rangers or the Giants sweep the series. I'll sure be rooting for a Rangers sweep, though. My brother Dave and I will be on hand for Game 4 on Sunday in Arlington. Witnessing a series-clinching game would be out of control. But I'm not counting on it.
• Should be interesting to see our lineup without a designated hitter tonight in an NL park. Here's my guess:
1. Elvis Andrus, SS
2. Michael Young, 3B
3. Josh Hamilton, CF
4. Vladimir Guerrero, RF
5. Nelson Cruz, LF
6. Ian Kinsler, 2B
7. Bengie Molina, C
8. Mitch Moreland, 1B
9. Cliff Lee, P
• I'm curious to see how our pitchers fare against NL hitting. Of course, when you think of NL hitting, murderous lineups don't immediately come to mind. The Giants have some bats, but the 3-4-5 combination of Aubrey Huff, Buster Posey and Pat Burrell isn't exactly daunting. You'd think that Lee's success against better lineups in the ALDS and ALCS would translate particularly well to the World Series. I know this much: Lee won't be intimidated by the big stage.
• Prediction: I'm going Rangers in 5. May the dream continue. Let's get this thing started.
Here's what I'm looking forward to most about tonight.
• First and not surprisingly foremost, the Texas Rangers are making their first World Series appearance in team history. When I look back at our path to the World Series, it gives me great pleasure to think that Texas defeated two AL East teams to reach the promise land.
All season, the AL West seemed to be thrown to the side when thinking about the elite teams in MLB. Surely, New York, Tampa Bay or Boston would come out of the AL because that's just what happens. For the past three years, an AL East team has played in the World Series. It's been a different one each of those three years.
Not that many people focused on how feared a lineup the Rangers have when healthy. Not that many people realized how dominant the team could look when Cliff Lee gets the team rolling. Not that many people realized the present-day mentality of the Rangers. We are not a slugging team anymore. We are not like the slug-or-die Rangers playoff teams of the 90s that had first-round exits. This 2010 team can beat teams on the basepaths. They can beat teams with power. They can beat teams with pitching. That's why this team is the best team in franchise history, by a long shot.
• The pitching matchup tonight has the makings of an epic encounter. Lee vs. Tim Lincecum. It doesn't get much better than that.
FOX might be mad the Yankees and Phillies got knocked out, and therefore, the East Coast won't be nearly as interested in this World Series. Who knows. There's something really nice about it, though. There's good baseball away from the East Coast. The pitching matchup tonight should prove that.
• There's a small chance (I'd say under 10 percent) that the Rangers or the Giants sweep the series. I'll sure be rooting for a Rangers sweep, though. My brother Dave and I will be on hand for Game 4 on Sunday in Arlington. Witnessing a series-clinching game would be out of control. But I'm not counting on it.
• Should be interesting to see our lineup without a designated hitter tonight in an NL park. Here's my guess:
1. Elvis Andrus, SS
2. Michael Young, 3B
3. Josh Hamilton, CF
4. Vladimir Guerrero, RF
5. Nelson Cruz, LF
6. Ian Kinsler, 2B
7. Bengie Molina, C
8. Mitch Moreland, 1B
9. Cliff Lee, P
• I'm curious to see how our pitchers fare against NL hitting. Of course, when you think of NL hitting, murderous lineups don't immediately come to mind. The Giants have some bats, but the 3-4-5 combination of Aubrey Huff, Buster Posey and Pat Burrell isn't exactly daunting. You'd think that Lee's success against better lineups in the ALDS and ALCS would translate particularly well to the World Series. I know this much: Lee won't be intimidated by the big stage.
• Prediction: I'm going Rangers in 5. May the dream continue. Let's get this thing started.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
This may not happen again for a long time...so I'm going to the World Series
My brother Dave told me something a few months ago that has stuck with me to this day. One night, when we were catching up on the phone, he lamented the fact that we couldn't hang out more often because he lived in Denver and I lived in Lawrence.
It was the prime time of our lives, he said. Dave is 23, I'm 26. It's a shame we couldn't get to enjoy spending more time together.
Sometimes, life throws you a break.
This upcoming weekend, Dave already had a flight booked for Dallas months in advance. This upcoming weekend, the Texas Rangers will be playing in their first World Series in team history when they take on the San Francisco Giants. Add me into that mix and we'll just call it a joyous reunion.
When a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity knocks at your door, sometimes you have to answer. Sometimes, you have to listen closely and weigh your options. And sometimes, you simply have to pull the trigger.
I'm officially going to the World Series.
Dave and I will be on hand for Game 4 on Sunday night at Rangers Ballpark. I can't wait to witness the electricity of the ballpark I've seen on TV this postseason.
You see, going back eight years, those three aforementioned components — Dave, me and Rangers Ballpark — formed quite the alliance. We shared so many memories. I'm still convinced that's why I think of baseball as my favorite sport. Baseball symbolizes some of my most vivid memories growing up. Many times, I shared those memories with my brother and best friend, Dave, in Arlington.
Now, of course, we live different lives than when we were in school and had every summer off. Our priorities have changed, too. We both have full-time jobs we enjoy, and they just so happen to be a plane ride (or an eight-hour car drive) away. I'm thankful for a lot in my life right now.
I'm also thrilled to have the opportunity to attend the World Series. This may not happen to the Rangers again for a while.
I can't wait to continue following this magical postseason Rangers run to the World Series. But actually being a part of it, especially with Dave, will be an experience I'll never forget.
I've been to countless games in Arlington: 30-40 if I had to guess. None of them will be as memorable as this one.
It was the prime time of our lives, he said. Dave is 23, I'm 26. It's a shame we couldn't get to enjoy spending more time together.
Sometimes, life throws you a break.
This upcoming weekend, Dave already had a flight booked for Dallas months in advance. This upcoming weekend, the Texas Rangers will be playing in their first World Series in team history when they take on the San Francisco Giants. Add me into that mix and we'll just call it a joyous reunion.
When a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity knocks at your door, sometimes you have to answer. Sometimes, you have to listen closely and weigh your options. And sometimes, you simply have to pull the trigger.
I'm officially going to the World Series.
Dave and I will be on hand for Game 4 on Sunday night at Rangers Ballpark. I can't wait to witness the electricity of the ballpark I've seen on TV this postseason.
You see, going back eight years, those three aforementioned components — Dave, me and Rangers Ballpark — formed quite the alliance. We shared so many memories. I'm still convinced that's why I think of baseball as my favorite sport. Baseball symbolizes some of my most vivid memories growing up. Many times, I shared those memories with my brother and best friend, Dave, in Arlington.
Now, of course, we live different lives than when we were in school and had every summer off. Our priorities have changed, too. We both have full-time jobs we enjoy, and they just so happen to be a plane ride (or an eight-hour car drive) away. I'm thankful for a lot in my life right now.
I'm also thrilled to have the opportunity to attend the World Series. This may not happen to the Rangers again for a while.
I can't wait to continue following this magical postseason Rangers run to the World Series. But actually being a part of it, especially with Dave, will be an experience I'll never forget.
I've been to countless games in Arlington: 30-40 if I had to guess. None of them will be as memorable as this one.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
It really is time: Rangers advance to World Series
That just happened.
The Texas Rangers — this 2010 edition is quickly becoming my favorite sports team of all-time — beat the New York Yankees, 6-1, on Friday night and advanced to their first World Series in team history.
Blue and red confetti fell to the ground. A constant beam of red light highlighted the stadium. Rockets were set off. Ginger ale (not champagne) was being sprayed, a non-alcoholic toast in respect to Josh Hamilton's substance abuse in the past.
I'll let that set in for a few moments: The Texas Rangers just won the AL pennant tonight.
You can't be serious.
This team, the one with the manager who admitted to cocaine use; this team, the one whose two supposed best pitchers at the beginning of the year — Rich Harden and Scott Feldman — aren't even on the postseason roster; this team, the one where it was easy to say no pitcher could ever thrive at the Ballpark in Arlington because of its hitter-friendly confines.
Well forget that. The Rangers are the best team in the American League.
We were clearly better than the Yankees in nearly every facet.
I am filled with happiness for this team that I've followed so closely since 2002.
This was the night. October 22, 2010. The night when it was time. The night when the Texas Rangers won the AL pennant.
The Texas Rangers — this 2010 edition is quickly becoming my favorite sports team of all-time — beat the New York Yankees, 6-1, on Friday night and advanced to their first World Series in team history.
Blue and red confetti fell to the ground. A constant beam of red light highlighted the stadium. Rockets were set off. Ginger ale (not champagne) was being sprayed, a non-alcoholic toast in respect to Josh Hamilton's substance abuse in the past.
I'll let that set in for a few moments: The Texas Rangers just won the AL pennant tonight.
You can't be serious.
This team, the one with the manager who admitted to cocaine use; this team, the one whose two supposed best pitchers at the beginning of the year — Rich Harden and Scott Feldman — aren't even on the postseason roster; this team, the one where it was easy to say no pitcher could ever thrive at the Ballpark in Arlington because of its hitter-friendly confines.
Well forget that. The Rangers are the best team in the American League.
We were clearly better than the Yankees in nearly every facet.
I am filled with happiness for this team that I've followed so closely since 2002.
This was the night. October 22, 2010. The night when it was time. The night when the Texas Rangers won the AL pennant.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Texas leads ALCS, 3-1: Rangers homegrown approach to building a winner differs from Yankees. And that's refreshing
When reflecting on two Texas victories in a row at Yankee Stadium and the Rangers' 3-1 lead over New York in the American League Championship Series, I couldn't help but think about the way in which both teams constructed their rosters.
I think that's been the most rewarding aspect of the ALCS so far: How the Rangers have built their 2010 ballclub.
Texas built its roster the only way it could: from within. Not like the Yankees, who shelve out millions upon millions of dollars for guys who sometimes work out and sometimes don't. With no salary cap in baseball, the juggernaut franchise is afforded that luxury.
Texas was not. Texas was bankrupt for most of the year before Nolan Ryan and Chuck Greenberg finally ended the Tom Hicks era and were named co-owners.
Texas general manager Jon Daniels did not have hundreds of millions of dollars to play with like the Yankees. In fact, New York was the only team in baseball this season with a payroll above $200 million (it was $206,333,389, in case you were wondering).
The Rangers, conversely, operated this season with a $55 million payroll, nearly four times smaller than New York's.
Yet we are the ones with the better ace in Cliff Lee.
We are the ones with the superior lineup, one through six.
We are the ones with the superior youth movement.
We are the ones who only need one more victory to advance to the World Series.
It really puts into perspective how impressive a GM Daniels is. Imagine being in his position at the beginning of the year. Yes, you have an up-and-coming team with talented players, but the franchise is about to go bankrupt and you have little to no money to improve it via free agency.
Daniels still went to work. He signed Vladimir Guerrero to a one-year deal that resurrected his career. Vlad led the team with 115 RBIs this year. Daniels took a flyer on Colby Lewis, an MLB afterthought who pitched two solid years in Japan. Lewis logged 200 innings this year and finished just short of 200 strikeouts.
Then, in the most significant move of the season, Daniels acquired Cliff Lee from Seattle for first base prospect Justin Smoak.
Lee is having one of the most remarkable postseasons I've ever witnessed or even heard of.
What this series is showing me is that our scouting department is as good as there is in baseball. The Rangers have proven you don't have to have a $200 million payroll to build a playoff team. Hell, you don't even have to have half of that.
You do, however, need a smart general manager. You do need smart, informative and in-touch scouts. You do need a stocked farm system.
How do you think we acquired Lee this summer? Because we had the necessary talent in the farm system to strike the deal. If the scouting is bad and the talent isn't on the farm, we don't end up with Lee. And we're probably not in the position we're in now.
That position? Outside of one bad inning in Game 1, Texas has owned New York so far in the ALCS.
There were two instances Tuesday night in Game 4 that really illustrated the 3-1 status of this series.
In the first instance, the Yankees intentionally walked David Murphy to get to Bengie Molina. The Rangers catcher, undoubtedly motivated by the move, smashed a home run to left field to give Texas a two-run lead it wouldn't surrender.
In the second instance, the Yankees brought in lefty Boone Logan out of the bullpen specifically to face lefty batter Josh Hamilton. The Rangers MVP candidate responded by blasting a line-drive home run to right.
Yes, even when the Yankees are strategically planning to control factors in the game, the Rangers are dominating them. At their own place. Two times in a row.
Texas demolished New York, 10-3, on Tuesday night to move one game away from the first World Series berth in team history. What a game.
Game 4, to me, shed light on the entire lineup coming around. Hamilton cranked two home runs. Guerrero went 4-for-5. Molina had the biggest hit of the game and is batting .417 in the ALCS. Nelson Cruz broke out the tape measure (for good measure) in the ninth inning with a second-deck shot to left field.
If I'm Daniels, I'm sitting back and enjoying the moment to the fullest, toasting to the idea that the Yankees cannot buy World Series rings year after year.
Who needs a $200 million payroll to advance to the World Series? Hopefully, not the Rangers. Nope, over here, we have our own talent.
I think that's been the most rewarding aspect of the ALCS so far: How the Rangers have built their 2010 ballclub.
Texas built its roster the only way it could: from within. Not like the Yankees, who shelve out millions upon millions of dollars for guys who sometimes work out and sometimes don't. With no salary cap in baseball, the juggernaut franchise is afforded that luxury.
Texas was not. Texas was bankrupt for most of the year before Nolan Ryan and Chuck Greenberg finally ended the Tom Hicks era and were named co-owners.
Texas general manager Jon Daniels did not have hundreds of millions of dollars to play with like the Yankees. In fact, New York was the only team in baseball this season with a payroll above $200 million (it was $206,333,389, in case you were wondering).
The Rangers, conversely, operated this season with a $55 million payroll, nearly four times smaller than New York's.
Yet we are the ones with the better ace in Cliff Lee.
We are the ones with the superior lineup, one through six.
We are the ones with the superior youth movement.
We are the ones who only need one more victory to advance to the World Series.
It really puts into perspective how impressive a GM Daniels is. Imagine being in his position at the beginning of the year. Yes, you have an up-and-coming team with talented players, but the franchise is about to go bankrupt and you have little to no money to improve it via free agency.
Daniels still went to work. He signed Vladimir Guerrero to a one-year deal that resurrected his career. Vlad led the team with 115 RBIs this year. Daniels took a flyer on Colby Lewis, an MLB afterthought who pitched two solid years in Japan. Lewis logged 200 innings this year and finished just short of 200 strikeouts.
Then, in the most significant move of the season, Daniels acquired Cliff Lee from Seattle for first base prospect Justin Smoak.
Lee is having one of the most remarkable postseasons I've ever witnessed or even heard of.
What this series is showing me is that our scouting department is as good as there is in baseball. The Rangers have proven you don't have to have a $200 million payroll to build a playoff team. Hell, you don't even have to have half of that.
You do, however, need a smart general manager. You do need smart, informative and in-touch scouts. You do need a stocked farm system.
How do you think we acquired Lee this summer? Because we had the necessary talent in the farm system to strike the deal. If the scouting is bad and the talent isn't on the farm, we don't end up with Lee. And we're probably not in the position we're in now.
That position? Outside of one bad inning in Game 1, Texas has owned New York so far in the ALCS.
There were two instances Tuesday night in Game 4 that really illustrated the 3-1 status of this series.
In the first instance, the Yankees intentionally walked David Murphy to get to Bengie Molina. The Rangers catcher, undoubtedly motivated by the move, smashed a home run to left field to give Texas a two-run lead it wouldn't surrender.
In the second instance, the Yankees brought in lefty Boone Logan out of the bullpen specifically to face lefty batter Josh Hamilton. The Rangers MVP candidate responded by blasting a line-drive home run to right.
Yes, even when the Yankees are strategically planning to control factors in the game, the Rangers are dominating them. At their own place. Two times in a row.
Texas demolished New York, 10-3, on Tuesday night to move one game away from the first World Series berth in team history. What a game.
Game 4, to me, shed light on the entire lineup coming around. Hamilton cranked two home runs. Guerrero went 4-for-5. Molina had the biggest hit of the game and is batting .417 in the ALCS. Nelson Cruz broke out the tape measure (for good measure) in the ninth inning with a second-deck shot to left field.
If I'm Daniels, I'm sitting back and enjoying the moment to the fullest, toasting to the idea that the Yankees cannot buy World Series rings year after year.
Who needs a $200 million payroll to advance to the World Series? Hopefully, not the Rangers. Nope, over here, we have our own talent.
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