By Alex Al-Kazzaz
Two years ago, the Texas Rangers were one of the worst teams in baseball. A 60-102 record was just another year of shame and disappointment. Rangers fans were used to it since the team had been irrelevant since 2016. After another shameful 2022 season, the disappointment rose to a new level considering all the money the team spent in the off-season prior; over $500 million. It was time to take things seriously.
Bruce Bochy came out of retirement to manage the Rangers. Bochy is a three-time World Series champion, winning all three rings as manager of the San Francisco Giants. Ironically, he won his first in 2010 as the Giants beat the Rangers in the World Series. He went on to win it all again in 2012 and 2014. He managed San Francisco from 2007 to 2019. Before that, he managed the Padres and took them to the World Series in 1998. The hiring of Bochy seemed to be the best thing for the club. And now that the Rangers are in the World Series, it is SO FAR SO GOOD!
Texas finished the regular season with a 90-72 record. At one point in the season, they were poised to win at least 100 games and perhaps win their division, but the team suffered several mishaps, including injuries, and were struggling. It was on the last day of the regular season that the Houston Astros secured the AL West and that Texas would limp into the playoffs as a wild card.
After a 2-0 sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays, the Rangers were in for a much bigger challenge against the first-seeded Baltimore Orioles in the ALCS. Miraculously, the Rangers swept Baltimore. Keep in mind, the Rangers were NOT favored against Tampa or Baltimore. The Rangers weren't even expected to make the playoffs this season! The ALDS couldn't have gone any better; an all-Texas ALDS! With the Astros the overwhelming favorites, the Rangers were considered to be lucky to even make it six games into this series! And the Rangers defied all odds and won the series in seven games and they managed to win every game of this series ON THE ROAD.
The Texas Rangers square off against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series. Arizona's NLDS win over the Phillies was remarkable. Two years ago, Arizona was a 100-plus loss team, as well. Arizona finished the regular season with an 84-78 and shocked the world when they swept the LA Dodgers. Much like the Rangers, the Diamondbacks fought hard to make it to the big dance. Interestingly enough, the Rangers are favored to win.
The last time the Rangers were in the World Series, it ended in a massive heartbreak. They were one strike away from winning it all, and they didn't get it done. That was in 2011 and now they're back in it in 2023, this is Texas' chance at redemption. This is their chance to claim their first WS hardware and write history in a positive manner.
Texas has the offensive firepower to get the job done. They came into the playoffs with concerns related to pitching, but the Rangers have managed to muddle through. This is it for the Rangers. This is their World Series to win and they have to get it done. It won't be easy, but they're capable of winning it all.
The Rangers have made a statement the entire postseason. And now's the time to make the most important one.