Well stated Bob. Agreed with every thought. Especially resonate with the final paragraphs, where, as always, you concisely and wisely articulate why fandom exists.
Gutpunched.
I watched this game on a cracked old Ipad at a high school football game. My daughter is in color guard and I'm quite satisfied I enjoy 100% attendance at those games. The high school football experience in NC isn't Texas but it's always an interesting and satisfying way to spend a Friday night.
So I felt a bit guilty about missing a few football plays or making inappropriate cheers at odd times. But I'll always remember the night and where I was and the people who were around me. Unlike your crowd no one else around me cared. And my pain and sorrow was suffered in a weird environment where everything else in life is really enjoyable. It brings much needed balance that I'm appreciative of but man....that was rough.
Been saying for a while the delta on this team is wide. Before playoffs said they could go meekly in two quiet games or see the stars align and bring a World Series home.
Nothing's changed. They could get shut out and bombed 13-0 in the next game, or they could do the same and then finish the 'Tros off in game 7. Literally anything is possible and it wouldn't surprise me.
All-time great column, Bob. Your ability to articulate the emotions of die-hard fans through the exhilarating highs and crushing lows of big games/big moments is a gift. Thank you for your work.
Bob this was beautifully and insightfully written, capturing my emotions exactly. Even as verbose as I can often be in this space, there is nothing left to be said you have not eloquently stated already.
Bob I'm just a country lawyer but I don't remember walking the 9th batter in my little league days. Sports Sturm why would you do that? That don't make a like of sense to me.
Good stuff Bob and yeah tonight sucked. Only thing that made it better for me is that I was going to a concert and getting into the arena so by the time I turned the game on my phone, Altuve hit the home run and I was left with the pieces. I honestly don’t think my heart could have handled witnessing that live
"walking the nine-hole hitter." That wasn't just a nine-hole hitter. That was ex-retired pinch hitter Jon Singleton that batted .165 this season and prior to this season hadn't played Major League Baseball since 2015.
There is "walking the nine-hole hitter," and then there is that. And that is unacceptable, inexcusable and downright one million times more frustrating and maddening than actually walking a nine-hole hitter or the Altuve homerun.
You’re right; we would have all been thrilled. But another World Series seemed so tantalizingly close just to see our best hopes crushed. The chances of two more wins remain, but with the Rangers lack of pitching so grossly exposed, those dreams of another World Series have seemingly been pushed another year down the road.
Yet, winning an Eovaldi start looks like a reasonable expectation, and hanging our hopes on Mad Max rediscovering his magic may be nothing but the delusions that rabid fans turn into thoughts of potential reality. Still I’ll be watching, hoping that these thoughts aren’t delusion, but realistic desire.
I see no reason to use the word “gutless” with these guys. They have had the guts to get up after being left for dead by fans of little faith time after time after time. That takes guts. The Astros are more talented and more seasoned. The Rangers are battling for their lives. I don’t doubt for a moment that they will get up off the deck and defy the odds one more time.
I can provide no evidence other than I grew up watching baseball (I don't watch much anymore) but my younger years gives me wisdom that is reflected in Ron Washington's "That's the way baseball go."
The game's symmetry of design - 9-man batting orders, 9 innings, 27 outs needed to win - leads to some inevitable situations. The lineups march in lockstep, turning over like clock work until the best (or worst) hitter steps in at the best (or worst) times.
Knowing that Houston had 8-9-1 (F*cking Altuve) due up in the 9th, my thoughts turned dark. I could envision what happened. The leadoff single followed by walking the No. 9 hitter set the table. I knew it, I was certain that F*cking Altuve would hit a game-winning HR. Ball hit bat and I immediately knew my premonition had become reality.
I can also envision Eovaldi pitching another gem and Texas winning Game 6 but the Astros winning Game 7 in blowout fashion, gutting Rangers fans.
This reminds me of coming out of the commercial break, seeing Lowe on the mound, and immediately thinking, “See ya tomorrow night,” before he ever threw a pitch. Almost wish Buck made a different call just to make it suck less.
I admire your hope Bob but I haven’t been this crushed as a fan of any team I root for since 2011. And every epic game the Rangers are in they are always on the wrong end
Unfortunately that's Dallas history. While championships have been won in 3 of the 4 major sports, all the teams have epic, monumental, documentary-worthy, gutpunch losses at a high rate. The Cowboys in particular have had a ridiculous number of last-minute, absurd, outrageous and highly unlikely post-season losses that grossly outnumbers the instances when they were on the positive side of such things.
Well stated Bob. Agreed with every thought. Especially resonate with the final paragraphs, where, as always, you concisely and wisely articulate why fandom exists.
Gutpunched.
I watched this game on a cracked old Ipad at a high school football game. My daughter is in color guard and I'm quite satisfied I enjoy 100% attendance at those games. The high school football experience in NC isn't Texas but it's always an interesting and satisfying way to spend a Friday night.
So I felt a bit guilty about missing a few football plays or making inappropriate cheers at odd times. But I'll always remember the night and where I was and the people who were around me. Unlike your crowd no one else around me cared. And my pain and sorrow was suffered in a weird environment where everything else in life is really enjoyable. It brings much needed balance that I'm appreciative of but man....that was rough.
Been saying for a while the delta on this team is wide. Before playoffs said they could go meekly in two quiet games or see the stars align and bring a World Series home.
Nothing's changed. They could get shut out and bombed 13-0 in the next game, or they could do the same and then finish the 'Tros off in game 7. Literally anything is possible and it wouldn't surprise me.
Right on the money as always. Thanks for both acknowledging the pain and sharing the reality of taking as many next steps as we can till we run out.
All-time great column, Bob. Your ability to articulate the emotions of die-hard fans through the exhilarating highs and crushing lows of big games/big moments is a gift. Thank you for your work.
thank you, brother. #Courage
Great recap. Still numb. Always rooted for the NL Astros. Won’t ever forgive them for 2017.
Truth
Bob this was beautifully and insightfully written, capturing my emotions exactly. Even as verbose as I can often be in this space, there is nothing left to be said you have not eloquently stated already.
Bob I'm just a country lawyer but I don't remember walking the 9th batter in my little league days. Sports Sturm why would you do that? That don't make a like of sense to me.
Good stuff Bob and yeah tonight sucked. Only thing that made it better for me is that I was going to a concert and getting into the arena so by the time I turned the game on my phone, Altuve hit the home run and I was left with the pieces. I honestly don’t think my heart could have handled witnessing that live
Excellently written as always, Bob.
"walking the nine-hole hitter." That wasn't just a nine-hole hitter. That was ex-retired pinch hitter Jon Singleton that batted .165 this season and prior to this season hadn't played Major League Baseball since 2015.
There is "walking the nine-hole hitter," and then there is that. And that is unacceptable, inexcusable and downright one million times more frustrating and maddening than actually walking a nine-hole hitter or the Altuve homerun.
It has been so long since any DFW team came up clutch in a truly big sports moment that I just expect stupidity, failure, or gutlessness.
Sorry but it’s sports. If I told you in spring training that your team will be playing game 6 of the ALCS, would you have take it?
Breathe. There’s another game to be played. They’re not eliminated.
You’re right; we would have all been thrilled. But another World Series seemed so tantalizingly close just to see our best hopes crushed. The chances of two more wins remain, but with the Rangers lack of pitching so grossly exposed, those dreams of another World Series have seemingly been pushed another year down the road.
Yet, winning an Eovaldi start looks like a reasonable expectation, and hanging our hopes on Mad Max rediscovering his magic may be nothing but the delusions that rabid fans turn into thoughts of potential reality. Still I’ll be watching, hoping that these thoughts aren’t delusion, but realistic desire.
Hey in a game 7, the starting pitcher is likely only one of several that will/can pitch. The team won two there just last week so it’s not impossible.
I eventually come around, because, like everyone on this thread I’m hopelessly addicted to my teams.
Same here. It’s what we do.
I see no reason to use the word “gutless” with these guys. They have had the guts to get up after being left for dead by fans of little faith time after time after time. That takes guts. The Astros are more talented and more seasoned. The Rangers are battling for their lives. I don’t doubt for a moment that they will get up off the deck and defy the odds one more time.
I guess I was thinking of Feliz being too emotionally fragile to go close out a World Series or so many Cowboys teams just no-showing over the years.
Great writing as usual, Bob. Given the home and home performances I think the Rangers will push it to 7 on Sunday.
Games like last night’s is why we love the sport.
I can provide no evidence other than I grew up watching baseball (I don't watch much anymore) but my younger years gives me wisdom that is reflected in Ron Washington's "That's the way baseball go."
The game's symmetry of design - 9-man batting orders, 9 innings, 27 outs needed to win - leads to some inevitable situations. The lineups march in lockstep, turning over like clock work until the best (or worst) hitter steps in at the best (or worst) times.
Knowing that Houston had 8-9-1 (F*cking Altuve) due up in the 9th, my thoughts turned dark. I could envision what happened. The leadoff single followed by walking the No. 9 hitter set the table. I knew it, I was certain that F*cking Altuve would hit a game-winning HR. Ball hit bat and I immediately knew my premonition had become reality.
I can also envision Eovaldi pitching another gem and Texas winning Game 6 but the Astros winning Game 7 in blowout fashion, gutting Rangers fans.
That's the way (Rangers) baseball go.
This reminds me of coming out of the commercial break, seeing Lowe on the mound, and immediately thinking, “See ya tomorrow night,” before he ever threw a pitch. Almost wish Buck made a different call just to make it suck less.
Sometimes you just know.
I admire your hope Bob but I haven’t been this crushed as a fan of any team I root for since 2011. And every epic game the Rangers are in they are always on the wrong end
I am not sure I have much hope but like I said, what other choice do we have? We’ve come too far to bail now.
Unfortunately that's Dallas history. While championships have been won in 3 of the 4 major sports, all the teams have epic, monumental, documentary-worthy, gutpunch losses at a high rate. The Cowboys in particular have had a ridiculous number of last-minute, absurd, outrageous and highly unlikely post-season losses that grossly outnumbers the instances when they were on the positive side of such things.
Mavs 2006
Rangers 2011
Cowboys 1966, 1967, 1970, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1994, 2006, 2014, 2016.
Stars - details fuzzy, but 3 game 7 OT losses (97, 2019, 2021), multiple other game 7 losses.
All teams have enjoyed being on the right side of such things (2020 Stars, 2011 Mavs) those wins have been relative rare in comparison.
Great article. Go ‘Stros.
Rent free
chaos isn’t a pit, chaos is a ladder. the climb is all there is.
The one thing that can answer this: making that team watch you celebrate going to the World Series on their field. Let’s. Go.
I feel like this comment aged incredibly well 😎
and it continues to get better with time!
Right in the money, as always. Thank you for acknowledging both the pain and the reality of taking the next step.