The Rangers began 2010 in a less than stellar way. The Rangers did not have a good record during spring training, Ron Washington admitted to using cocaine during the 2009 season, Tommy Hunter and Ian Kinsler got injured, and of course utility infielder Khalil Green never showed up for work. A few positives was that CJ was moved to the rotation, Chris Davis had a good spring, and it looked like the Rangers would belong to the Greenburg/Ryan group before the season began.
Of course, as we all know now, the Greenburg/Ryan group did not get the team before the start of the season,and the Rangers went into bankruptcy. Then, the Rangers did not have a good start to the season, and the A’s did. in the month of April, the Rangers record was 11-12, including a 6 game losing streak in the middle of the month. Rich Harden and Scott Feldman (remember them) were off to slow starts, as was the rest of the rotation, and Ian Kinsler’s injury was going to keep him out longer than the Rangers had hoped it would. It was looking bleak for Ranger fans about that time.
But as we all know, the Rangers turned it around and had the best season in Ranger Franchise history, finishing 1st in the West, and eventually 1st in the AL, and making it to the franchise’s first ever World Series. In my mind, as a fan, there were two turning points in the Rangers 2010 season, one was the signing of Cliff Lee, and two was the late season sweep of the Yankees. When the Rangers swept the Yankees, I had a feeling that they were going to win their first playoff series, and I was right. I did not, however, believe that they had it in them to go all the way to the World Series, and when they defeated the Yankees in the ALCS, it was like Christmas morning and my wedding day all wrapped into one. It was the greatest feeling in the world! Now, as we all know, the Rangers did not win the Series, and Cliff Lee is now a Phillie, but that does not stump my enthusiasm going into the 2011 season. Cliff Lee did not help the Rangers win the West, they did that without his help, and they beat the Yankees in a series that he only started one game. The core of the pitching staff, in my opinion, is CJ Wilson, Colby Lewis and Tommy Hunter. And as we get ready for 2011 with additions (Brandon Webb) and subtractions (Jeff Francouer and Bengi Molina), I believe that the Rangers have what it takes to get back to the post season, and I think that they will do what they must during the 2011 season to make sure they can once again be successful there. Ranger Fan Dieter out! GO RANGERS!!
