For the sports fan that likes the same teams I do, this weekend was an up and down, stress filled, three days... And possibly the most stressful team, the Cowboys, haven't even played yet.
But the best moment of the weekend came on Friday night. My Rangers are going to the World Series.
Looking back at this season, it seems like it has taken forever. So many things have changed over the last 7 months that it's crazy to even think about. On opening day, I was at baseball practice with my high school team warming up when Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit the walk-off game winner. Coach had pulled a radio out there and had extension cords running out to it so we could listen to the game. Now, I'm 5 months out of my baseball, and high school career, and the Rangers are STILL playing in the same season.
One of the coolest things about the Rangers this year is the story of Josh Hamilton, that I'm sure you've most likely heard. The battle with drugs, alcohol, and his baseball potential, and the now-infamous relapse stemming from a bar visit in Arizona. And after all of that, he's in the World Series, and not only that, but the ALCS MVP and possibly the AL MVP.
After all of that road traveled by Mr. Hamilton, he's now in a position to go down as one of the best players to ever play, especially after this season. But the true Josh Hamilton came out in his post-game interview after the ALCS. Instead of talking about him, he first thanked God, then only wanted to talk about his teammates.
That game might have been the happiest moment of my life. Neftali Feliz's strikeout against A-Rod (does anyone else find it ironic that he was the last out?) to end the game brought about a ton of jumping up and down, hugs, high fives, and screaming for the next few minutes. Then came the post game celebration, which was the best feeling in the world to watch.
But how often does this "Post-Season" feeling happen? I think it's a one time occurrence. If the New York Yankees had started the "Claw and Antler" craze, you never would've heard a word about it, because they are always on top. If the Rangers go on to win the World Series, then even next year won't be the same. Yes, there will be a spike in Rangers gear sold, and an attendance spike next year if they go out and keep winning ball games, but the emotions that go into the first playoff run are those that you'll never experience again.
That said, enjoy the post-season. Watch EVERY game you can, throw the claw, put on the antlers, scream at the tv until your voice is gone (I really hope I'm not the only Ranger fan that does these things.)
The idea of this article is for you to know to enjoy this playoff run and the emotions fueling the Texas Ranger fire. Enjoy watching or going to the games, because they'll be the best games to watch. Enjoy your seat on the bandwagon, because this is as packed and as fun as it will ever be. All in all, enjoy the WORLD SERIES, because we deserve it!
Homecoming Weekend
This weekend was also Homecoming here in Stillwater. The "Nation's Best Homecoming" lived up to it's name for me. I saw thousands of dollars in house decorations on the Fraternity and Sorority houses that blew my mind. I saw one of my favorite TEXAS Country bands, the Casey Donahew Band, play a block from my dorm on the Beta House front lawn. And last but not least, I saw a college football game.
But this football game was different from the past 6 this year for OSU. The frustrating part wasn't the things that were different, like the loss. Instead, the frustrating things were the things that are the same week in and week out.
First, our offense does the same thing every week. First posession: 2 runs, then a pass. 3 and out, every week. Then, we live and die by the fade. If we can execute it 90% of the time, then that's fine, but that's our only passing play it seems. The medium passing game is nonexistent this year, as most of the passes are either 60 yard gains, or 4 yard gains. Kendall Hunter has been limited because of it as well, as our play action passes occur once every 10-15 snaps.
Secondly, our defense has done a heck of a job for what has been called. I feel bad for the guy's. On first and second down, they hold the offense to little or no gain. Then, on third down, they give up a 15-20 yard gain. How does this happen, and happen continuously? The simple answer: they blitz on first and second down, which stuffs the run or rattles the quarterback to make a bad pass, then on third down they try to drop back into protection, giving the quarterback time to pick them apart. Keep the same approach that you had when you were succeeding, don't change your gameplan when it never works, and hasn't for 7 weeks.
Thirdly: Kickoff Coverage. Always kickoff coverage. No need to go into detail on that.
This isn't a time to jump ship, I still think OSU has a great team, and am overlooking the Nebraska game because they played a great game. I look at it as us starting the year with no one expecting anything from us, compared to Nebraska, who was getting some National Championship talk in the preseason, and we lost to them by 10 points.
I know people will say I'm using that as an excuse, but that's exactly what I'm doing. This isn't me trying to win an argument on my team being better, it's just the truth. I really hope the Pokes can shake off this past week and go out and win the next couple of games to get to the Bedlam game with one loss, to make it a true showdown.
That's all I've got for this week, Next post:
World Series Talk, Rangers vs. Giants
Go Rangers, Go Cowboys, Go Pokes!
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