Now that the World Series table is set…you’re going to be hearing/reading plenty of reasons why both the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals can (and should) win.
So you don’t have to pay attention to those “other guys”…the always insightful “Sully” has taken it upon himself to break down both World Series participants.
Here goes!
1. The celebration of Ron Washington would be complete.
Washington has had a remarkable two seasons. He overcame the drug problem to become the first American League manager since Joe Torre to win back-to-back pennants.
And he did it with a fun likable, running in place in the dugout, windmilling style.
Oh yeah, he was portrayed in “Moneyball” by the great “that guy” Brent (Harrison Ford’s ill-fated partner in “Witness”) Jennings. The difference between Washington’s Rangers and Beane’s A’s? The Rangers actually went to the World Series.
But how cool would it be to win a World Series and be a character in what will certainly be an Oscar nominated movie?
2. Nolan Ryan and his influence could finally put an end to pitch count nonsense.
The Rangers lost Cliff Lee and somehow their pitching staff got DEEPER.
C. J. Wilson, Colby Lewis, Derek Holland, Matt Harrison, Alexi Ogando, Neftali Feliz, Scott Feldman and Mike Adams might not be as sexy as the Phillies staff, but Texas has played in the last two World Series and not Philadelphia.
You weren’t supposed to be able to put a strong staff together in Texas. But magically that went out the window when Nolan Ryan took over the team.
Pitch counts were flushed down the toilet. Pitchers were allowed to get out of their jams. And guess what? As the Joba rules and babying of pitchers have left a wake of broken down pitchers, Nolan Ryan’s method has made the Rangers a pitcher team.
Gee whiz, I wonder which school of thought should be adopted by more teams!
3. Josh Hamilton. An American Bad Ass needs to be a Champion.
The ultimate Roy Hobbs story needs its grand climax.
He’s already battled his demons. He’s already reemerged in Cincinnati and then in Texas. He already beat drugs to become the MVP and slay the Yankees. He’s already asked the Rays for forgiveness.
He’s a great American story of wasted and found abilities. Put a ring on that finger and roll credits!
4. The final haunting of Nelson Cruz Cruz is on a home run tear.
This postseason, he became the first person ever to hit six homers in a single series. I may have calculated his career ALCS OPS wrong, but my math has it coming out to five bazillion.
If this run goes into the World Series, this slugger will shine on the biggest stage and torment the Mets, A’s and Brewers…all teams that had him and dealt him away.
5. It would be a celebration of the Rangers star studded but pennantless past.
When the Wild Card era began and media attention was placed solely on the Yankees and Red Sox…how many MVPs played in the Bronx? Alex Rodriguez who won the award twice.
How many in Boston? That would be two…Mo Vaughn and Dustin Pedroia.
How many in Texas? Juan Gonzalez won it twice. Pudge Rodriguez won it once. A-Rod also picked up one in Arlington as did the aforementioned Josh Hamilton. That’s more than Boston and New York combined in that same stretch.
Jeff Burroughs won it before. Ruben Sierra and Rafael Palmeiro could have won it. Hall of Famers Fergie Jenkins, Bert Blyleven and of course Nolan Ryan logged great years in Arlington. As did the Richie Zisks, Oddibe McDowells, Julio Francos and all the other players in the Rangers colorful past.
For all the Geno Petrallis out there, a Rangers title will be for you!
Are these five reasons not enough for you? For five MORE reasons why the Texas Rangers winning the World Series would be good for baseball…visit Sully’s slice of the interwebs.
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