Texas Toast

Here’s to the Rangers. In one game they have matched their franchise record for playoff wins. Ron Washington is now tied for most postseason victories by a Texas manager. This afternoon he could take the lead. Winning a series would be a huge step for this club. But don’t just do it for yourselves, Rangers. 

Do it for Ted Williams. The first manager in Texas. His frozen head nods in approval.

Do it for Ferguson Jenkins. He was the first real ace on this team. Don’t let Cliff Lee make you forget Fergie.

Do it for Toby Harrah, Gaylord Perry and Bert Blyleven. That 1977 team won 94 games but missed the playoffs. They wouldn’t have that many wins again for another 20+ years.

Do it for Buddy Bell and Charlie Hough. They WERE the Rangers of the early 80’s and they never even sniffed the postseason.

Do it for Bobby Valentine. The Rangers won 25 more games his first year than they did the year before. He got the fuse lit for what was to come.

Do it for Kevin Brown, Julio Franco, Ruben Sierra, Pete Incaviglia and Steve Buechele. They toiled long and hard in Texas but never found themselves in the postseason.

Do it for Jose Canseco. The ball careening off his head and straight over the wall for a home run will forever be the “America’s Funniest” moment that defined the frustration of the early 90’s.

Do it for Tom Grieve. He played here. He was the General Manager. Now he’s in the broadcast booth. The franchise drafted him in 1966 and he’s still waiting.

Do it for Nolan Ryan. He gave the Rangers the last 5 years of his career and now gives more than ever.

Do it for 1500 South Copeland Road in Arlington. It was once the site of a 40,000-seat stadium that saw Nolan’s 5,000th strikeout and 7th no-hitter, but never saw playoff baseball.

Do it for the late Johnny Oates. The only manager to take the Rangers to the playoffs previously, but never able to break through that door.

Do it for Will Clark, Rusty Greer, Juan Gonzalez and Rafael Palmeiro. They proved that the Rangers could get there, but were never able to get past the Yankees.

Do it for Pudge.

Do it for Mark Holtz.  Leukemia took him too soon, but his "Hello, Win Column" sure would look great on the jumbotron as the Rangers celebrate on the field.

Do it for Alex Rodriguez and Chan Ho Park. Many people still see those two guys as the reason success has come so slowly. A playoff series win would sure mend some fences.

Do it for Eric Nadel and Chuck Morgan. It’s hard to find radio voice/public announcer combos with this kind of longevity together.

Do it for Michael Young. He’s given this team a batting title and an entire career. Every one of the 1500+ games he’s played have come in a Ranger uniform.

Do it for Josh Lewin. The quirky play-by-play guy left Detroit in 2001 presumably to find a better team. The Tigers have been all the way to the World Series since then.

Do it for Josh Hamilton. Because great comeback stories need happy endings.

But mostly, do it for the fans. 38 years is a long time to wait for a win in a playoff series. Too long for such a great sports town. Let’s pop the top on that champagne this weekend and have a long-overdue Texas toast.