The Texas Rangers

     This has been a very big year for Texas sports, ranging from the national to university level.  One of the biggest surprises however is from Major League Baseball and the success of the Texas Rangers.  The Rangers moved on to the American League Divisions series for the first time in eleven years after winning the American League West.  The Rangers then moved on playing the Tampa Bay Rays and won the American League Championship Series.  Many ask why this is such a huge deal...because this is a first in the Texas Ranger history.
     The Rangers are now playing against the Yankees and is almost turning into a Boston Red Sox Cinderella story from 2007.  No one expected the Boston Red Sox to win, but they eventually conquered all misconceptions.*  I personally have a high hope that will be the same for my home town team.  The Texas Rangers have not won a World Series title in the history of this baseball team.
     This team of course has to give credit to the players that make it so successful.  One player that has caught the eye of the media is Cliff Lee.

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

  Cliff Lee has started with one of the best three-streak weeks of pitching in baseball: 24 innings, one walk, 34 strikeouts.  Lee, however, is not just starting off lucky, but played brilliantly with the Phillies for five years.  This season, Lee has pitched 7-0 with a 1.26 ERA.  Although this is a great number for a starting pitcher, it is really hard how to compare Lee with other players that have had much more experience.  Lee has pitched 64 great innings, but what about Andy Pettitte who has thrown 263 postseason innings.  Everyone can admit that there is a lack of experience, but everyone must also admit how strong Lee has started.  
     Born and raised in Texas, I can only hope and pray for a defeat against the Yankees.  The Yankees have been to the World Series 28 times and I think it's about our turn.  Not to discredit the Yankees, they are very talented being backed up with players such as A-Rod.  The Rangers, however, seem to not only have luck on their side, but also a desire to win.  Many baseball fans do believe that the Rangers this year are getting a lucky start and will crack under pressure.  With players such as Cliff Lee on the Rangers side, I don't see how that is even possible. 

--Update: Rangers are winning against the Yankees 2-1.
--4th game on Tuesday at 7:30

*Random Fact: The movie titled "Fever Pitch" starring Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon was originally written for a couple following a terrible Major League Baseball team, the Boston Red Sox.  At the unexpected turn of events, the entire script had to be rewritten in order to accommodate to the new status of the winning Red Sox.