When I was in high school, I was the kid that everybody knew as the Rangers fan. Mostly because of all of the Rangers shirts I used to wear, but also because of my quiet excitement about the team. It was fun when they were winning, but it was really hard after a tough loss. Other kids thought it was fun to tell me how much the Rangers sucked, just to watch my face get red and see me get worked up. I'd throw stats at them, and any other kid of information or excuses, but they didn't care. They just wanted to get under my skin. I knew that was the case, but I let it get to me anyway. In 1996, 1998, and 1999, after the Rangers got booted from the playoffs by the Yankees, I didn't want to go to school the next day because I knew what I was in for. I didn't want to have to listen to all of it, and come up with excuses or reasons why my team lost, but somehow they were still worth my attention.
Some of those similar feelings arose after Game Two. I hadn't been to work since last Monday, and I hadn't seen the people I'd work with today since last Friday, before the Rangers won the Pennant. I didn't get a chance to enjoy that moment with some of my co-workers, but I would be faced with explaining away a 2-0 World Series deficit to a team I was sure wouldn't be able to hit like this.
I didn't want to go to work. I didn't feel like talking about it. However, I had no choice. I had to be at work, so I decided I'd just not say anything about it, and hope that others didn't see my beat up red Rangers hat that I've worn every day there for almost three years as a reason to talk baseball with me.
A couple of my buddies tried to strike up conversations, but I told them I didn't want to talk about it, which they respected and left me alone. I wish people in high school would have been so easy to push away.
But I was surprised. After two hideous losses, and with the team not even playing tonight, I saw at least a dozen Rangers caps or shirts on my co-workers. My manager had on a polo with an AL Champions logo sewn into it. I saw another area manager with a Claw and Antler shirt on.
People aren't ashamed of this team anymore. I don't have to stick up for them like the old days. Texas is proud of it's Rangers, even if the AL title is all we walk away with in 2010. Of course we want the World Series title, too, but it was nice to see that people have faith in this team.
Tomorrow is Saturday, and I have to work with a whole new crew of people, outside of about seven or eight guys that work the overlapping shift like I do. We'll see if there is the same kind of home town support, or if they are a little more cynical. Either way, I'm going to keep my chin up, and be ready to see Colby Lewis do his thing when I get home from work. It stinks to be down 2-0, but it takes four wins to beat us. And consider this, the Rangers are going to play a game on Halloween. How weird is that?
So I'll try to shake off another tough loss and keep hope alive. We'll see if the faith and hope are rewarded in Game Three.
I was in such a bad mood yesterday morning, and like you I was hoping no one would bother me. But in our morning meeting a coworker came up and asked "Hey man, whats up with your Rangers???" I've never wanted to turn and deck some one so bad in my life.......But, it's just a game right, and were just watching the game. We're not even in it, playing, struggling, standing in the field as they hit shot after shot where I'm not standing....It's just a game right??? Uggg.....This was all so much easier when they were beating the yankees, haha. I guess, for tonight, I'm hoping they can score 15 runs...seems like that might be enough to stay ahead of SF. Enough ramblings and incoherant thought from me. Lets go Rangers!!!
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