World Series - Part Two

I wrote Ranger posts last year when we got to the World Series for the first time.  Somehow, it's more exciting this year.  I think I was like the players last year:  Couldn't quite believe we got there and just thrilled to be one of the last two teams playing baseball.   This year.........well, I expected us to be back - told Drake so in March at Spring Training.   It wasn't luck that won 96 games this year - it was talent carefully cultivated and nurtured on all levels of the Ranger organization.  However, once you get to the play-offs, then there's an element of luck - just ask the Phillies!  (They won 102 games, and they didn't move through the play-offs.)  My point is that while we all hope to win the World Series this year, we have to be prepared for luck, karma, or the Baseball Gods intervening.  

All the talking heads seem to believe this is a toss-up series.  OK - maybe on paper.  There's one thing I know about baseball - all of that analysis really has little to do with the outcome of the individual games.  There's no telling which team or even which players on each team will rise to the top.  Example:  Nelson Cruz, 7th place hitter, usually just an OK fielder, who had been cold as a mackerel at the plate in the last portion of the season, becomes the bigger than life Ranger with two multi-run home runs both in extra innings.  Let's just say, that if we go into extra innings with the Cardinals, that Nellie will be WALKED.

Is it any wonder that baseball players are ultra-superstitious?  Facial hair (Michael Young starts to hit when he shaves his ugly beard.  The bushier Scott Feldman's beard gets, the better he pitches.)  Titanium necklaces (check these out - even Washington is wearing one)  Sox:  up or down?  Rangers have two players that like to show their sox - can you name them?  And how about 'the cobra' - check out this year's symbol of power - watch a Ranger who gets a crucial hit make the cobra sign to the dug-out.  And those are just the obvious things a fan can observe - let's just say that I'll bet there is at least one pitcher with the team who's wearing the same dirty underwear he had on when he won his last big game.  I'm glad I don't know who - really, really too much information.

Basically, we're about an hour away from the 2011 World Series start time.  Let's just all have a great time cheering and moaning over each game, and then remember, it's only a game and this is just entertainment.  You have to admit, though, it's good, good entertainment. 

To ice the deal, I've been wearing my lucky, vintage Ranger jersey today in Concord, New Hampshire.  Got lots and lots of puzzled looks - the Rangers aren't exactly a household name (or logo), but we Texas fans don't care.  We know they are a truly fun team we can be proud to root for.   Let's Go Rangers!