Texas Rangers: Good Start, Long Road

Only three teams in baseball history have lost two straight World Series and then won a third consecutive pennant. No team has done so since the Yankees in 1923 (they won the first of their 27 titles that year avenging two straight Series losses to the New York Giants). The two other teams to accomplish the feat lost in all 3 World Series. Both the Detroit Tigers with Ty Cobb (1907-1909) and the New York Giants (1911-1913) lost in all 3 World Series.

The Texas Rangers hope to join the 1923 Yankees as the only team to win a World Series after losing the Series the previous two seasons. They are off to a (20-10) start which I feel is remarkable after last season’s heartbreaking World Series loss to the St.Louis Cardinals. In Game 6 of last year’s World Series, Texas had a (7-5) lead with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th inning and were one strike away from a World Series victory. However, eventual World Series MVP David Freese delivered a 2 run triple that tied the epic game. Texas had a (9-7) lead after Josh Hamilton’s 2 run homer in the top of the 10th inning but again failed to hold the lead. This time, Lance Berkman had a 2 out, 2 strike game tying single. The Cardinals won the game on Freese’s homer in the bottom of the 11th inning and then won their 11th title in Game 7 the following night.

Josh Hamilton hit four home runs (all 2 run homers) in a win vs the Baltimore Orioles on May 8th. Texas also has a nice divisional lead early this season. However, no matter their regular season (I do not think it will be so great), it assures the Rangers or any other team very little. Baseball has become a tournament requiring the World Series winner to win at least 3 playoff rounds. Home field advantage in the World Series is determined by which league wins the All Star Game. The team with home advantage has won the World Series an incredible 21 of the last 26 times. Texas faces a long road ahead in its title quest.