The Texas Rangers organization has been around for fifty seasons. They began their existence as the second incarnation of the Washington Senators franchise, after the original Senators moved to Minnesota. Coming into the league as an expansion franchise along with the Los Angeles (later California, then Anaheim, then Los Angeles of Anaheim) Angeles, they spent their first ten seasons in Washington before moving to Texas, where they play now.
Why the brief history lesson? Well, prior to last night, the Rangers franchise had never won a playoff series in their fifty years. They are, in fact, the only franchise to have not won a playoff series in that time frame. Yes, even the Montreal Expos won a playoff series before the Rangers (1981 against Philadelphia when Steve Rogers outdeuled Steve Carlton in Game 5). To be eclipsed in anything by a team as historically terrible as the Expos is a bit sobering.
The Ranges have had their opportunities in the past, having made the postseason in 1996, 1998, and 1999. Over those three trips to the playoffs, they had won a combined one game. Of course, in each postseason appearance, they ran into the eventual World Series champion New York Yankees. Featuring lineups filled with home run threats and a pitching staff that would not frighten any legitimate major league lineups, they tried to bash their way to postseason victory.
This approach changed with the introduction of Nolan Ryan as team president. Ryan introduced the concept of getting actual pitchers on the roster, pitchers that threw strikes and and could get out of trouble. This concept was extended throughout the Rangers system, and was capped off with the mid-season acquisition of Cliff Lee. Now the Rangers had a legitimate ace, which they have lacked seemingly over their entire franchise history. With ease, the Rangers made the playoffs behind their strong pitching staff and a potential MVP candidate in Josh Hamilton, winning the AL West by nine games.
After going up 2-0 in the series, the Rays fought back, evening the series at two games each. Game five was played in Tampa, and it seemed as though the Rangers franchise would once again find a way to lose in the postseason. The Rangers struck first, scoring a first inning run on a groundball by Hamilton on a hit and run with Elvis Andrus on second. The Rays would score in the third, making it a 1-1 ballgame, and seemingly opening the door for yet another Rangers playoff exit.
But the Rangers did not go away. Nelson Cruz stole third in the top of the fourth inning, and scored on the wild throw down the line. Cliff Lee held the Rays scoreless the rest of the way, as the Rangers tacked on insurance runs in the sixth and two more in the ninth innings, finally sending this franchise to the second round, where they face their old nemesis - the New York Yankees.
After the game, the Rangers went to celebrate. Previously, upon clinching their first playoff berth in over a decade, they had celebrated with champagne, as most teams normally do. However, their prized slugger Hamilton, who has a history of alcohol and drug abuse, was unable to celebrate with the team. This time, they grabbed Hamilton and brought him into the clubhouse to celebrate with them. Making certain that no one would be left out this time, they had bottles of Canada Dry ginger ale ready so that Hamilton could join in this time, and get a taste of the celebration.
Congratulations to the Rangers. It has been a long time coming, and definitely well earned.
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