Welcome to ‘Bochtober’
The candy this October will only be a plus on what has been an incredible season for the Texas Rangers and their fans so far this year. In what has been a year between a ‘re-build’ mode, injuries, an abysmal bullpen and starters who make our relievers look like geniuses, you could not convince the world of baseball, nor Texas Rangers fans, that Bruce Bochy and October would co-exist this season. From a young roster to a new manager and front office, the Texas Rangers so far have gone against all odds. And now, here we are in the middle of an ALDS.
Let’s rewind just a tad bit and take a look back at the last 10 years, shall we? Some of us may or may not (or on most days, may choose to not) remember how our first two World Series appearances played out for the Texas Rangers. Now, don’t get me wrong— promising seasons are not new for us, thankfully. Unlike a team similar to the 2019 Washington Nationals, who kinda sorta came out of nowhere before their most recent World Series win, the Texas Rangers led all fans to believe that 2011 and 2012 were our years.
I mean, 2011 was only a year where we set a franchise record for most wins in a season and in 2012, we were only the two-time defending American League champs for a reason. 2016 was no different, with a 95-win season and making us back to back AL West champions. However, I can’t help but realize… this season feels, different. A good kind of different.
One of my favorite quotes and quotes I live by to this day, “don’t fix what is not broken” it applies to life in so many ways, however, what about when something is broken? Does it always get addressed? And when there is an attempt to fix what is broken, metaphorically speaking – is the right ‘glue’ always being used? Year after year, especially within the last 10 years, we have seen that “glue” was indeed reached for out from the cupboard. Between firing and hiring managers, signing journeymen, calling up when someone went down, but if this was how the front office handled anything and everything, are we surprised that we are still ringless?
Sure, we only convinced one of the greatest General Managers ever known to the world of baseball to come out of retirement. All thanks to another great ex-Texas Ranger, who was also a new addition to this team. New additions to the front office too? You don’t say.. and with all of this, came the same checkbook but with a new itch to spend, an itch that we have never seen. Everything really is bigger in Texas… including the rebuild. One that has been on-going since the middle of 2020, and the build has only gotten stronger, despite a few hiccups along the way like the birth of ‘Slam Diego’ in Arlington and a couple of Chris Woodward comments.
Despite everything, we are here in 2023 entering Bochtober, nearly a year after the acquisition. Despite losing what should have been our 1 and 2 starter, our catcher, our (future) AL Rookie of the year, El Bombi, Marcus Semein Nasty Nate and Corey Seager. Not to mention, almost all of these injuries overlapped. Despite all of this, we only Welcome to ‘Bochtober’ eliminated a Mariners team with incredible starting pitching and ended the season with the same record as the Houston Astros. We are still here in the playoffs. Did we all not just watch 94 games last year and end this year with 90 wins? Speaking of lots of wins, the Tampa Bay Rays had lots of those the first 16 games of the season and home field advantage before getting the wham card from the Texas Rangers. For once, in a very long time the right glue has been used and things feel different.
This October, the Texas Rangers are not just playing for a must deserved playoff spot. They are playing for what is theirs, not only to show the world that they play for the state written across their jersey but to also prove that with the right pieces coming together with the right spending and team chemistry, that anything is possible.
Article submitted by Val @stadiumfoodgirl