WhiteH2O Horn
250+ Posts
Man, I wasn't sure I would ever see the day that my Texas Rangers FINALLY made it to the World Series.
I live in Central Texas now, but grew up just outside of Ft. Worth. My pawpaw started taking me to Rangers games when I was about 7 or 8 years old. I was already playing baseball and was a member of the Dr. Pepper Junior Texas Rangers. I still have the wristbands and autographed pictures of Jim Sundberg and Toby Harrah. Not sure what happened to the other stuff in the membership package or what was included. Maybe another old school Rangers fan can refresh my memory.
Some of the most vivid memories of my childhood summers include spending weeks at my pawpaw's Lake Whitney "summer home" fishing during the day and sitting outside listening to Rangers games on AM radio while he drank his PBRs and rolled his own smokes. While the Rangers fielded some decent teams in those days, I never really believed that they would get deep into the post-season. It was just cool daily entertainment during the summer. My pawpaw, though, lived and died with the Rangers. I wish he could be here now to enjoy this moment.
I went off to the Navy in 1988, and would try to catch a game or two when I was home on leave during the baseball season. My dad, who is still very much alive and my hero, was also always a big fan and took me to many games, as well. However, when something involved in the politics surrounding the building of The Ballpark in Arlington soured him on the team for awhile and he stopped going.
In the summer of 1994, while home on leave, I convinced him to go with me to a Rangers game. It's the only game we have been to together at the "new" ballpark. The unheralded reliever-turned-starter lefty Kenny Rogers threw a perfect game against the Angels that night. We were freaking out because we knew we were witnessing a no-hitter, but it wasn't until about the 7th inning that we realized NO ONE from the Angels had been on base. We had been in our own little "father/son, drinking beers, digging the game" moment. We started talking to the people around us and we weren't the only ones who realized that we were watching more than just a no-hitter unfold. To this day, that night is one of the most vivid recollections that can be triggered by the smell of hot dogs, cut grass, and draft beer.
The last time I was at The Ballpark for a Rangers playoff game was against the Yankees for the 1998 ALDS. While the Rangers lost that game, the most memorable part for me was the LOOOONG rain delay during a thunderstorm with a spectacular lightning show.
Now my dad and I will attend our first Texas Rangers game together since Kenny Roger's perfect game, but now this series will be for the whole enchilada. Unreal.
As a long-suffering, die-hard fan, I thought the window for this type of success was pretty much closed. It was apparent that the team was never going to make pitching a priority, and until the day that we could bring in top-notch talent to the mound, all the Rangers were ever going to be was a divisional nuisance with some big bats. Although I am doubtful about the possibilities of retaining Cliff Lee, perhaps having Nolan Ryan at the helm will help lure legitimate pitching talent seeking long-term deals in Texas. Regardless of what happens from here on out, I am going to savor every moment. It's been a long time coming!
I live in Central Texas now, but grew up just outside of Ft. Worth. My pawpaw started taking me to Rangers games when I was about 7 or 8 years old. I was already playing baseball and was a member of the Dr. Pepper Junior Texas Rangers. I still have the wristbands and autographed pictures of Jim Sundberg and Toby Harrah. Not sure what happened to the other stuff in the membership package or what was included. Maybe another old school Rangers fan can refresh my memory.
Some of the most vivid memories of my childhood summers include spending weeks at my pawpaw's Lake Whitney "summer home" fishing during the day and sitting outside listening to Rangers games on AM radio while he drank his PBRs and rolled his own smokes. While the Rangers fielded some decent teams in those days, I never really believed that they would get deep into the post-season. It was just cool daily entertainment during the summer. My pawpaw, though, lived and died with the Rangers. I wish he could be here now to enjoy this moment.
I went off to the Navy in 1988, and would try to catch a game or two when I was home on leave during the baseball season. My dad, who is still very much alive and my hero, was also always a big fan and took me to many games, as well. However, when something involved in the politics surrounding the building of The Ballpark in Arlington soured him on the team for awhile and he stopped going.
In the summer of 1994, while home on leave, I convinced him to go with me to a Rangers game. It's the only game we have been to together at the "new" ballpark. The unheralded reliever-turned-starter lefty Kenny Rogers threw a perfect game against the Angels that night. We were freaking out because we knew we were witnessing a no-hitter, but it wasn't until about the 7th inning that we realized NO ONE from the Angels had been on base. We had been in our own little "father/son, drinking beers, digging the game" moment. We started talking to the people around us and we weren't the only ones who realized that we were watching more than just a no-hitter unfold. To this day, that night is one of the most vivid recollections that can be triggered by the smell of hot dogs, cut grass, and draft beer.
The last time I was at The Ballpark for a Rangers playoff game was against the Yankees for the 1998 ALDS. While the Rangers lost that game, the most memorable part for me was the LOOOONG rain delay during a thunderstorm with a spectacular lightning show.
Now my dad and I will attend our first Texas Rangers game together since Kenny Roger's perfect game, but now this series will be for the whole enchilada. Unreal.
As a long-suffering, die-hard fan, I thought the window for this type of success was pretty much closed. It was apparent that the team was never going to make pitching a priority, and until the day that we could bring in top-notch talent to the mound, all the Rangers were ever going to be was a divisional nuisance with some big bats. Although I am doubtful about the possibilities of retaining Cliff Lee, perhaps having Nolan Ryan at the helm will help lure legitimate pitching talent seeking long-term deals in Texas. Regardless of what happens from here on out, I am going to savor every moment. It's been a long time coming!
