It’s baseball day. Which is fitting since it’s actually baseball season. I’m a Rangers fan. I have been a little up and down over the years, from casual to avid fan. Never a rabid fan. But I have definitely followed and cheered many generations of the Rangers. When I was a kid, I loved Jim Sundberg. He was definitely my favorite. It’s funny; I never considered myself a fan of the catcher position. But from Sundberg to Pudge Rodriguez, now to Mike Napoli, they are consistently some of my favorite Rangers.
The early 90’s were big years for me as a fan, because I would gather up my reading/homework at college and drive down to the ballpark, buy a cheap outfield seat, and do my work and watch the game. I would cheer for Nolan Ryan and Kenny Rogers. No, not that Kenny Rogers. Although I would cheer for him, too, now that I think about it. I enjoyed our team of hitters: Pudge, Rafael Palmiero, Julio Franco, Juan Gonzales, Jose Canseco, Dean Palmer. But my favorite was Rusty Greer. Always loved Rusty Greer. He played hard. I liked that.
And of course, it’s actually easy to be a Rangers fan now. Two World Series in a row and off to a great start this year. We have a great team. Proud of how Josh Hamilton handled the fiasco in the offseason to come back and have a great year. He’s an alcoholic who went out and got drunk. And then confessed and turned it around. Put safeguards in place to keep himself from falling again. It actually sounds like a great job of handling a sin problem. And now he’s playing great, as well. It’s awesome to see Nolan Ryan and Jim Sundberg in the office guiding the team. And I’m excited about what Yu Darvish brings to the team. Should be another good year.
College baseball is a little harder to follow. Mainly because by the time I remember about it, it is half over. But I still try to step it up and cheer for the Longhorns. Fortunately we’re usually really good, and they don’t miss my cheering. This year, I was a little bit late and they needed more help than usual. But I’m sure we’ll turn it around next year. I also usually cheer for Rice. Just because it’s a school of smart people and baseball is the one sport I know they’re good at.
Thoughts?
Todd
Funny, I have long been a fan of the catcher position. As a kid I wanted to be Darren Daulton, and couldn’t believe they lost to Toronto in the World Series. Dang Joe Carter! That’s why I had always been interested in the Phillies. That is until they lured Cliff Lee away from my Rangers. I’ve always been interested in Philadelphia, but I am a die hard, life long Texas Rangers fan, even when they lose in the World Series. Dang David Freese! My wife jokes that she can tell when baseball season starts because all of the laundry is either blue or Ranger red. Love Hamilton and his story. (Pay the man!) I think it’s great that they have been, shall we say, average for a whole month and still have 5.5 game division lead. Hope they turn it around soon and finally win it all this year. Go Rangers!
I grew up in Upstate NY – Yankee country… and because of the run that the Yankees and Royals had in the 70’s, I became a Royals fan just because all my friends were yankees fans and I wanted to be different… and to this day, through some really tough times, I am still loyal to the Royals.. cause thats what being a fan is about… my wife doesn’t understand how I can sit out on the back patio listening to a feed from KC each night.. technology has really made it easier to be a fan outside of the city that you cheer for.. and for that I am thankful… I try to get to the Royals/Rangers spring training camp every other year or so… great facility…
Reds were my team when I played Little League,as I got older I pulled for the Bravest. Now I still like those two, but consider myself a Rays fan. Go figure.
College ball is Clemson.
Todd, you really need to come to Grand Junction, Colorado on Memorial Day Weekend and the days following for the National Junior College Baseball World Series (aka JUCO). Yes, it’s junior college baseball but the town supports and comes out to these games like it was the MLB World Series and treats these 18, 19, 20 year-old boys like they’re major league players themselves. Kids ask for autographs, civic organizations host the teams, and the event is celebrated like no other. I can only imagine what these boys feel looking into the stands at thousands of fans when, during the regular season, they’ve been playing in front of fewer people. Many times the games are exciting and tense and there’s nothing like seeing a bunch of players winning a national championship for the first–and maybe only–time in their lives. Todd, the invitation is open. Will we see you in Grand Junction next year?…
So I’ve been in first place in my fantasy league,,, then I played Bud Norris last night. DOH!