This weeks “Yes Sir” goes to the Texas Rangers. It has been fifty years in the making but they have finally made it into and passed the first round of the play offs. Led in the front office by legend Nolan Ryan, this franchise has seen some of the best “almost” teams of the last two decades. They have always had teams with hitting and no pitching or defense and now with Cliff Lee and the rest of the staff they have balance. Do not overlook this virgin of the ALCS, they have a real shot at winning the whole thing. Ryan, who is truly larger than life in the state of Texas, has silently put together one of the best teams in baseball this season.
Through the years the Rangers have been behind some of the top teams in baseball in their division, allowing them to be overlooked. Even this season the talk of baseball was constantly on someone else. The amazing season the San Diego Padres had stole from their fame, the tremendously exciting run between the Rays and the Yankees did the same. But in true Nolan Ryan fashion, the Rangers kept their mouths shut and rolled with the punches; they just went out and won.
For every big name player they have, they had a “no name” pick up the slack when the star went on the DL. When Hamilton and Cruz went down during season guys like David Murphy and Mitch 
Moreland came through big. Let’s not forget Vladimir Guerrero, because everyone else did. He is one of the top 5 most talented players you will ever see and he is approaching the twilight of his career. This is a beautiful thing to watch, because we get to see him mature as a player, as a teammate and most importantly as a run producer. Vlad led the world in 2 out rbi’s and made the all-star team after everyone in Anaheim wrote him off for retirement. Sure he doesn’t run the same or throw guys out from the fence, but he is still the most amazing contact hitter with upper deck power I have ever seen. On top of it all, he is become a leader that his team can depend on in the clutch.
Manager Ron Washington, who has his demons, has really matured as a big league coach and transformed this team back into an old fashion powerhouse. Using speed and playing small ball is really what has gotten this team where they are. The Rangers finished the season leading the majors in categories like bunting, hit and runs and advancing runners. This type of baseball is not a common thing in the new era, but Washington is proving that the old saying of “get em on, get em over and get em in” is never going to go out of style.
So from the LockerSmash team to the Texas Rangers, YES SIR! We love it!
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