Texas Rangers in the 2011 World Series: A Bandwagon-Jumping Fan’s Guide

The Texas Rangers have reached the World Series for the second straight season. They’re an offensive beast of a team (third in scoring in the AL) with a pitching staff that also ranked among the league’s best in 2011. And they did it with a middle-of-the-pack payroll.
So you’re finally ready to jump on the bandwagon, yes? But just who are these American League champions?
Let’s start with manager Ron Washington. One may question some of his decisions, but there’s a lot more to leading a Major League Baseball team than handling in-game tactics. You’ve got 25 highly paid professional athletes to keep happy and motivated and playing up to their potential for a long season. The Rangers have improved their win-loss record every season during Wash’s tenure, and of course have won two straight AL pennants after having only ever won a single playoff game in their history before last year. The man deserves credit for this success. Read Michael J. Mooney’s article from our April issue for all you need to know about Wash.

Next up, you’ve got Michael Young. He’s basically “Mr. Ranger” — the franchise leader in games played, hits, doubles, and triples. He was upset last winter (demanding he be traded) after the Rangers acquired Adrian Beltre and Mike Napoli because he didn’t see how he was going to fit into the everyday lineup. But he ended up with the second-most plate appearances on the team.  Both he and the Rangers seem happy they weren’t able to trade him away.
Josh Hamilton has been the Rangers best player over the last few years, though he broke his arm and was out for a spell this season. He won the American League MVP award in 2010. When an accident claimed the life of a fan at the Ballpark earlier this year, I remember hearing many expressions of sorrow that it was Josh Hamilton, of all people, who tossed the ball into the stands which led to the tragedy. I think that’s because we know how Hamilton has had to overcome serious drug addiction and because he seems truly remorseful about the person he used to be. Can’t help rooting for the guy.
Mitch Moreland — I hope the relatively young first baseman has a long and productive major league career, because he really does need to keep his day job.
Elvis Andrus — The young shortstop is a dynamic force on the bases. He also needs to keep his day job.
Ian Kinsler — The second baseman is one of the few Rangers who rocks the long socks.
Adrian Beltre — He was the Rangers’ big free-agent signing after they failed to land the Philadelphia Phillies Pitcher Who Shall Not be Named. He’s been a big defensive upgrade at third base and another great offensive threat in their already packed lineup. He doesn’t like to have his head touched. I mean, really.
Nelson Cruz — You may have heard about the awesome American League Championship Series he had. It’s unbelievable that a hitter so potent would be batting seventh in the lineup, but that’s how good these Rangers have been offensively this season. And if they end up facing off against the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series, remember that Milwaukee could have had him.
Mike Napoli — If the Los Angeles Angels were a team run by rationality rather than the gut instincts of Mike Scioscia, Napoli would have been behind the plate in Anaheim this year. Instead the Angels gave up the best offensive catcher in the baseball this year and kept the worst offensive catcher. Napoli was the best hitter in the American League during the second half of the season. And I still want this T-shirt.
C.J. Wilson — He’s better at life than we are.
Derek Holland — I think it makes him look like Cletus the Slack-Jawed Yokel, but his mustache has surged in popularity. So maybe he’s hoping to land himself a Taco Bell commercial.
Colby Lewis — Hey, Richie Whitt, look here. The guy was able to take paternity leave to witness the birth of his child in April, and it didn’t cost the Rangers anything really.
Matt Harrison — Let’s take a moment to appreciate this fact: In the middle of 2007, the Rangers traded away star first baseman Mark Teixeira. As only part of the haul they received in return, they got starting pitcher Harrison, closer (and last year’s AL Rookie of the Year) Neftali Feliz, and shortstop Elvis Andrus. All three are key members of the AL champs. Where is Teixeira? Sitting home with the rest of the ousted New York Yankees.
David Murphy — He also rocks the socks.
Craig Gentry — The dude can fly around the bases.
The Bullpen — Feliz, Alexi Ogando (who made the All-Star team as a starter this year and looks like he’s from Easter Island), Scott Feldman (with his impressive playoff beard) and the rest have been generally terrific in the playoffs when the Rangers starters have not been quite as sharp as they were most of the season.
At this writing, we don’t know whether the Rangers will face the St. Louis Cardinals or the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series that starts Wednesday, but they’re bound to be the favorite in either case.  Rangers in 5.