I realize the true Impossible Dream season belongs to the 1967 Red Sox.
I realize that the greatest rivalry in baseball belongs to the Yankees and Red Sox.
I realize that the longest World Series drought belongs to the Chicago Cubs, who have been waiting 102 years – and counting – since their last series victory, and 55 years since they last won the pennant.
But last night capped off an Impossible Dream season for our Texas Rangers, whose combined post-season misery and acrimonious trade deals with the Yankees has created an intense rivalry…and whose franchise held the dubious distinction of being the longest-running current franchise without a World Series appearance in their history (think NEVER, in nearly 50 years of existence).
So say what you want, but I’m pretty sure there were very few in the Metroplex who would have predicted this:
I’m fairly confident that going into Spring Training – or coming out of it, for that matter – not many believed we would be seeing this:
And I think it’s fairly safe to say that when the Rangers’ began their “It’s Time” ad campaign, most fans probably smiled cynically, nodded their heads knowingly, expecting the usual post-All Star slump and end-of-season heartbreak. But what we got last night was this:
Last night, in a glorious performance by Colby Lewis, the Rangers beat the Yankees to win the AL pennant. And, for the first time in Rangers history, we got ourselves a party at the Ballpark in Arlington!
And now, believe it or not, it’s time for this:
Let’s go, Rangers!!