After making two straight World Series appearances, the Texas Rangers raised expectations, a ton. We fans got a small taste of success, but it’s kind of like we were only allowed a sample. We then fully expected our team to be back there, with a seat at the table for the full four-course meal, but no, that didn’t happen either.
After leading the A.L. West for practically the entire season, we had our bags ready to take home the leftovers from a great celebration. That was before the Oakland A’s put our season on life support, which was followed by the Baltimore Orioles pulling the plug on us for good.
Now as spring training approaches, we look forward to a new season, but not with the high expectations we had just a year ago. Of course we want to go back to the World Series but we expect nothing more than a small piece of meat on a toothpick, which I guess translates to finishing second place in the division.
It’s crazy what a difference an offseason makes. We lose the face of the franchise in Michael Young. Our power-hitter and former MVP left us for our division foes. Nelson Cruz may be suspended for using PEDs and we can no longer chant, “Nap-O-Li.”
Again, it’s easy to get excited about the return of baseball but hard to get the expectations for the Rangers up and I hope to be surprised. I would love to see Yu Darvish prove he’s worth all the money we’re paying him and more, and maybe even become a Cy Young winner. It’d be an honor to watch Ian Kinsler prove to fans he really is worthy of being the face of the franchise.
Maybe going into this season is the best way to go. That way we won’t be crushed like we have been in recent years and again, I’m always up for a pleasant surprise. All in all though, as fun (or not so much) as it is talking about how great or not-so great of season we’ll have, just start the season, and take me out to the ballgame. I at least need some peanuts and crackerjacks to hold me over until dinner.
Nathan Hague is the Sports writer for the Center, Texas paper and runs The Hague Sports.
