Texas Rangers' Amazing Escape from Adversity Embellishes Nice Story

They are riding amid an improbable pursuit, defining a miraculous tale no longer bombarded by a grim crisis. The Texas Rangers began a seemingly hopeless season in bankruptcy court, and became closer as a team when the news surfaced in spring training that Ron Washington had tested positive for cocaine. They built a social connection as a potent club and emerged into contention, which is heavily embraced as an ethical rebirth in baseball for a team that struggled in recent memory.

The idea, of course, that Texas is championship-caliber isn’t such a bad suggestion, especially when the Rangers overcame adversity this season. They are fueled by powerful hitting and belief within themselves, living more than an illusion but reality, as they are darlings in this erratic postseason. With all the poisonous aspects in the prior history of baseball, the league needs a beautiful tale to forge humankind and purity.

Regardless of their helpless struggles in the past, the Rangers erased the horrid memories and finally assembled a bottomless core. The pieces of the puzzle didn’t come together until the All-Star break, bringing in catcher Bengie Molina, pitcher Cliff Lee, infielder Cristian Guzman and outfielder Jeff Francoeur, the vital elements for a sensational chase in the ALDS.

The drastic turnaround of the Rangers is because of Jon Daniels’ shrewd roster transformations, and team president Nolan Ryan’s ability to uplift the landscape with his brilliant demeanor. Even when one of the respected managers in the game broke the rules, even when the franchise faced misery over the bankruptcy scandal and even when the franchise worried about the health status of Josh Hamilton, the Rangers somehow still managed to relieve turmoil.

The front office trusted in Washington and salvaged his managerial role, but an ordinary club would have canned the 58-year-old manager following a despicable admission that he had failed a drug test.

While the Rangers excel as a pesky contender, the consensus assumption is that retaining Washington was worth a risk as much of the hyperbole and gibberish relating to the oblivious drug testing had disappeared. It isn’t often (especially when he’s almost considered a senior citizen) that a manager admits to using coke.

By definition, baseball’s wrenched era happened a long time ago as well. In an age, when Major League Baseball had a suspicion of the strong use of cocaine, the hypocrisy and the lack of reaction dented the game and integrity. Back then, similar to what we are seeing now, it took baseball a long time before finally declaring a stern rule to prevent crimes.

But now, it is fun to watch the Rangers attempt the improbable and stun the world as underdogs, despite all the adversity circling the clubhouse. This clearly can be good for baseball—a kindhearted story. This clearly can be the greatest Rangers team in generations, if not franchise history. If there’s something impressive or alarming this postseason, it’s simply Texas taking a commanding 2-0 lead against the Rays in the ALDS.


And apparently, for the time being, the Rangers are the lone franchise that has never won a postseason series, with all three series previously materializing in the late 1990s against the Yankees. And now, the Rangers aren’t ridiculed for lousy droughts or an early collapse, but are connecting on timely hits. You’ve noticed the other night that they are building a productive pitching staff. And better yet, defense is emphasized and demanded by Washington, who led the Rangers to their first postseason berth in 11 years.

“All year we’ve tried to play baseball according to the way it’s been presented to us, which means you have to win all different ways,” Washington said Friday. “But I think as we move forward and things continue to fall into place, I think people will start changing their minds and their perceptions of the Texas Rangers.”

Many people have already changed their minds and suddenly believe.

Even if the Rangers have won only one playoff game in 39 seasons in Texas and 11 as the Washington Senators before clinching two wins in Tampa this week, this season has seen the dominance of the older veteran and slugger Vladimir Guerrero. The seducing element offensively, though, is Hamilton, a former drug addict and alcoholic who recovered and salvaged his career.


Had it not been for Ryan’s strong principles in giving second chances, the Rangers wouldn’t be contending for a pennant nor would there be a modest voice of inspiration from a manager as well respected as Washington. Had it not been for Daniels’ kindness to allow a renegade player into the organization, Hamilton wouldn’t be a primary candidate for the Most Valuable Player award. Few believe his MVP hopes were smeared by his recent rib cage injury, but others believe he’ll be granted the award.

But to some extent, holding on to Washington was a risky choice. From most standpoints, he was eventually forgiven and apologized to his players and executives, realizing the circumstances of his wrongdoing and handling the issue with class and dignity. When it happened so agonizingly, he was willing to resign, but the organization opted to keep the skipper who is sharp at grooming and mentoring young players.

Turns out, it is an understatement to deny the Rangers, a team armed with ardent hitters and players disciplined at every at-bat. There is an ultimate assumption they can elevate and eventually take control with veteran Michael Young, a six-time All-Star and the longest-tenured Ranger who rallies the team offensively. At this point, the Rangers' unthinkable turnaround isn’t a mirage in a year the emergence of a young team uplifts the most noticeable franchise in baseball. Indeed, the turning points, as the Rangers surge in the divisional rounds, have been Elvis Andrus, David Murphy and Ian Kinsler.

Nonetheless, the idea not to fire Washington was risky but smart. Ever since he told on himself, he has been tested several times a week. Without the regretful overseer, the Rangers wouldn’t have gone from 79 to 87, to a staggering 90 wins.

His honesty and bravery may have saved him of the managerial role. But even greater, the Rangers benefited in some ways and vanquished adversity.

Good Vibes From Angels, But Must Continue Surge In October

Just consider the intriguing streak an exhibition season, as the calendar reads mid-summer. Still, October hasn’t arrived yet, and it is normally a month their perplexing power surges are doubtful.

And when the Los Angeles Angels fail to advance pass the first round of the playoffs as results advertises fiascoes. In previous postseason appearances, they’ve being victims of agonizing collapses, and have taken the route to early exits.

A favorable season quickly relapsed and suffered a bizarre letdown to the Chicago White Sox in 2005. For a majority of rally monkey die-hards, it was painful to experience catcher A.J. Pierzynski strike out swinging and race to first base when umpire Doug Eddings ruled the call that Angels’ catcher Josh Paul never applied a clean tag.

It was also grueling to assimilate heart throbbing losses to the Boston Red Sox three times in the postseason, misfortunes that have wasted propitious pitching dominance because of inabilities and futile hitting that wasn’t enough to subdue a level of compulsory.

Truthfully, the rally monkeys were just a marketing crusade, not a bail out of troubling meltdowns. If it was the case, the Angels wouldn’t have suffered agonizing disappointment, swept by the Red Sox in the AL Division Series in ’04 and ‘07.

And a year ago, the 100-win Angels swings deteriorated and cleared advantages for the Red Sox unstoppable and dynamic pitching to seize eminence, which led to a 3-1 first round loss.

At 63-40, a problem that has hinged advantages, and weaknesses in the batting order whenever the postseason comes. But right now, it isn’t a concern. Instead it might draw attention this fall, but until then, let’s all anoint the Angels as the hottest team.

Because they’re clearly the best team in the American League, if not all of baseball, it’s brainwashing to mention their failures in recent years. Maybe it is convenient to believe they’ll survive blunders and batting droughts in October.

For many seasons, the Angels have being a team known for its aggressive base running and stealing bags to secure scoring position, following a bunt or a wild pitch that would allow agile players to race home.

But it is small ingredients that haven’t being enough for avoiding postseason anguish, which fans wonder why the front office prefers holding on to their farm system. Yes, a promising future is well-established, consisting of depth and growing stars that will emerge into important role players and superstars.

But if the Angels expect to escape a series without any troubles and refuse to go home, they will need to survive with a powerful hitter in the middle of the order. By virtue, it doesn’t seem dropping hits into gaps or depositing forceful shots are disadvantages.

It still doesn’t justify it’s sufficient to call the Angels a championship contender, having much to prove when winning is meaningful, other than playing a solid 162-game season.

After failing numerously to obtain a forceful hitter to blend into the batting order, the Angels have being criticized for not adding depth at non-waiver trade deadlines in previous season.

Although general manager Tony Reagins takes much bashing from critics and disgruntled fans for the lack of effort shown in acquiring remedy on an indecisive club, credit him for pulling off the biggest mid-season deal at the deadline a year ago and acquired switch-hitting first baseman Mark Teixeira from Atlanta in exchange for first baseman Casey Kotchman.

They knew exactly what they were getting themselves into with the acquisition of a rental player, particularly a high-profile player like Teixeira, who was seeking $200 million contract as a free agent.

Negotiating with baseball’s powerful agent Scott Boras is usually a bidding war for teams that are too manageable in conserving money. After all, the Angels knew exactly that they were consulting with a stubborn and egotistic agent who demands that all of his clients agree on the richest deals available.

So clearly, retaining the slugging first baseman was a steep price that the Angels assumed wasn’t worth squandering in a long-term deal, still offering Teixeira an eight-year, $160 million but he turned down a premium offer to explore the market for hire.

As a result the Angels lost the bidding war, and Teixeira migrated to New York and signed an eight-year, $180 million contract deal with the Yankees.

Kendry Morales was an indefinite first baseman a year ago, but has made Reagins into one of baseball’s cleverest general managers, voicing adventurous personal decisions by giving Morales the everyday first base assignment. Much optimism and gambling a potential disappointment turned into a surging option in the Angels unfathomable lineup, entering this season.

On Sunday, Morales captured a pair of three-run homers that resulted in a career high of six RBIs and assaulted the Minnesota Twins in a 13-4 rout, finishing a three-game sweep. Maybe if the Angels can translates late a multiple RBI and home run spectacle, then odds will favor them as felicitous contenders.

Maybe if they continue to locate and execute satisfying pitching qualities, there’s a considerable chance they could wreak a Dodgers-Red Sox or a Red Sox-Phillies fall classic, a pair of series matchups everyone is eager to check out in late fall.

Aside from postseason matchups, the Angels allowed the clock to strike 12 a.m. ET without acquiring a big-name pitcher or slugger. There were speculates that the Angels were in discussions for Toronto’s ace and best pitcher in baseball Roy Halladay, but pulled out at late for steep prices, similar to when they removed from significant bidding wars in competitive sweepstakes.

Over seasons, the Angels missed out on trade opportunities that could’ve benefited in the future, which generated one-and-done postseason series to condense and relinquish in an extravagant season.

Having a robust John Lackey, who is developing into mid-season form, has thrown effectively with phenomenal command and continues to control momentum in the pitching department.

Early on, rust mangled Lackey’s usual form on the mound, but now, he is solid and won four straight starts. His last win came against the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday, when he pitched seven reliable innings, yielding on three hits and one earned run. As the rest of the rotation continues to struggle with up-and-down pitching complications, Lackey ensures the rotation stays ideal.

Ervin Santana is having trouble to recover from an elbow injury, with a 3-6 record and a 7.29 ERA in an 11 starts. Many remember Santana has a young phenom who adapted into the majors relatively quickly, but injuries have slowed down legitimate pitching perfection. If he can recover and revamp into 18-game winning form, the Angels rotation can pose a threat on a competitive American League. Image a hitless pitching duo, overpowering an entire league.

Meanwhile, imperfection stifles pitching commodities that describes the Angels and resources for building into a contender. Joe Saunders can contribute by avoiding droughts and relocate his pitches to bolster a rotations dimension.

Currently, he is 9-6 with a 5.07 ERA, as it has being difficult escaping innings without allowing a run to score. And by limiting run production, Saunders is a suitable reinforcement among pitching.

They’re fortunate for the scorching batting surges. It continues to keep the Angels atop the American League, as October looms closer to prove it they’re tangible in the postseason or just dominance in the regular-season. A winning streak is glorifying, but it’s unknown if it will come a few months from now.

One thing they’ve ensured is that they can maintain balance without Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero, two ideal players who are nursing injuries on the disabled list. Manager Mike Scioscia has utilized successful options and getting run production and aggressive batting from a numerous of players.

The Angels shouldn’t miss the two main producers, with a supporting cast, of which stepped up their roles. Now the team is a vital threat, consisting of Bobby Abreu, who is patient at the plate and knows win to swing at pitch that enters the strike zone. He is a factor to the Angels surging streak, with essential contributions in hits and runs score, which has turned around a few games this season.

Juan Rivera returned to the lineup after nursing a hamstring injury, but has deposit a few long shots out over the wall, emerging into arguably the teams best hitter, including sizzling muscles from Erick Aybar’s 13-multi-hit game in July, and Mike Napoli’s hard swings to connect with a fastball that results into a homer.

Chone Figgins who continues to play small ball with aggressive base stealing and speed to advance 90 feet closer often, and second baseman Howie Kendrick was giving a message when the Angels demoted him to triple-A Salt Lake in June for his offensive struggles has suddenly emerged and grasped a sense of awareness, knocking in a career high five runs in a win against the Indians last week.

As it stands, the Angels have won 13 of 15 games and are 16-3 in its last 19 road games. In an appealing three-game series the Angels was historical, managing to amass 52 hits in the entire series and almost set a club record by compiling 35 runs. It's just a demonstration of how hot the Angels are as an entire.

It is definitely a contending team, if they continue to surge on offense efficiently. But effortless offense is meaningless, if the Angels can’t light up the halos in or believe rally monkeys, when it counts.