It’s always disappointing as a baseball fan when your team’s season ends unceremoniously in defeat. Such is the case today as I ponder a long year that began in March with the high expectations of spring training for the Yanks and ended nearly eight months later with a loss to the Texas Rangers, who move on to the World Series. The Rangers outplayed the Yankees on every level, outhitting, outrunning and definitely outpitching the defending champs in all but a handful of innings in the series.
The Yankees had a pretty good year but the watchful fan had a feeling they came into the postseason out of rhythm. They struggled in September, losing their divisional lead and going into the playoffs as the wildcard. There was seemingly a renewal of spirit after their sweep of the Twins in the first round but, in reality, the Twins had come into the playoffs in as much of a funk as the Yanks and were even more out of step. It created a false hope that this team could simply turn it on and be back in a smooth winning rhythm.
The Rangers made certain that this was not the case and made the Yanks look older and slower and uninspired. Oh, they were professional and always on the verge of springing to life but never seemed to make the crucial pitch or play. As much as it galls me to say it, after watching George W. Bush clapping in the stands next to Nolan Ryan during some of the games, the Rangers were simply the better team.
For now.
So my investment of time rooting for my team comes to an end and my remaining fan allegiance for this season is transferred to the San Francisco Giants. They are a team that is fully in rhythm and playing as a cohesive unit. Although they have less talent than any of the teams still standing, they are doing the most with what they have, playing with an attitude of confidence and destiny. Hopefully, they pull it out tonight against the Phils.
I mean, how can you not root for a team whose best players are named Buster Posey (what a great moniker!) and Tim “the Freak” Lincecum?
Redtree Times 