By Bobby Ross Jr.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Magical.
That’s the best way to describe the Texas Rangers’ 2023 season.
An exhilarating and sometimes excruciating journey has taken my beloved favorite team since 1982 all the way to the World Series.
Update: Keeping the faith: Rangers win the World Series
For the first time, my sons Brady and Keaton and I will get to experience the Fall Classic in person. We were able to buy tickets to Game 1, thanks to a baseball-loving friend. And I’m so excited!
While eagerly awaiting Friday night’s first pitch, I can’t resist recounting a few of my favorite moments of the season. In chronological order, here are 10 games (in some cases, multiple games) that stand out to me:
1. Rangers 11, Phillies 7 (March 31)
In newly signed ace Jacob deGrom’s shaky debut, the Rangers fell behind the defending National League champions 5-0. But then — Bam! — Texas scored nine runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.
With my son Brady, grandson Bennett and me in the stands, the dramatic Opening Day win provided a nice foreshadowing of Texas’ resilient season.
2. Cubs 2, Rangers 0 (April 7) and Cubs 10, Rangers 3 (April 8)
My first games at Wrigley Field in Chicago were everything I imagined — except for the Rangers losing.
Still, as I wrote earlier, the bucket list experience was amazing for my sons Brady and Keaton, my grandson Bennett and me.
3. Rangers 7, Rockies 2 (May 19) and Rangers 11, Rockies 5 (May 20)
Globe Life Field has a roof, but Dad and I got soaked in a rainstorm on the way into the Friday night game. My sister, Christy, joined us for the fun — a sunny day this time! — on Saturday afternoon.
What a fun way to celebrate Dad’s 78th birthday!
4. Astros 12, Rangers 11 (July 3)
The Rangers fell behind the defending World Series champion Astros 10-2 by the fourth inning. But then Texas rallied to take an 11-10 lead — before losing in the ninth.
My son Keaton, daughter-in-law Paige and I witnessed this crazy game in person. As happened too often this season, Astros fans — and there were a lot of them — left the Rangers’ ballpark happy.
I mention this game only because we all know how the 2023 Rangers-Astros rivalry eventually turned out. (Spoiler alert: It was awesome!)
5. Padres 7, Rangers 1 (July 28) and Padres 4, Rangers 0 (July 29)
I traveled to San Diego and Los Angeles while working on a ReligionUnplugged.com story on faith nights at Major League Baseball games.
I loved Petco Park — my 21st current MLB ballpark to see a game — even if the Rangers lost again with me watching on the road.
6. Rangers 11, White Sox 2 (Aug. 2)
My brother, Scott, and some of our dear friends from our Keller High School and McDonald’s crew days got together to see a game.
This group hasn’t seen much of each other since the mid-1980s, so we had a fantastic time remembering the good ole days. (And the Rangers won big!)
7. Rangers 4, Mets 3 (Aug. 28)
Because of her illness, my wife, Tamie, doesn’t get to travel with me often or go to many Rangers games.
But we were blessed with an amazing trip to New York. Tamie and Christian Chronicle associate editor Audrey Jackson both indulged me and joined me at a Rangers-Mets game at Citi Field. The Rangers even staged a ninth-inning, come-from-behind win.
8. A’s 6, Rangers 3 (Sept. 8), Rangers 3, A’s 2 (Sept. 9) and Rangers 9, A’s 4 (Sept. 10)
My son Brady, my grandson Bennett and I got to see top prospect Evan Carter make his major-league debut. But the Rangers lost for the 16th time in 20 games, and it seemed like their once-promising season might be out of gas.
But then Texas won the next two games (and the four after that as they headed to Toronto), showing this special team’s resiliency (not to mention its streakiness) once again.
9. Rangers 7, Orioles 1 (Oct. 10)
Rick Kalifa and I joined 40,000-plus of our friends as the Rangers completed a three-game sweep in the American League Division Series.
What a loud, crazy atmosphere! I loved it!
10. Rangers 2, Astros 0 (Oct. 15)
As the Rangers opened the American League Championship Series in Houston, I traveled to Cuba on a previously planned reporting trip for The Christian Chronicle.
Given my limited connectivity on the island, I feared I wouldn’t be able to watch Game 1. But I made a new friend there who made sure I could. I wrote a whole column about it.
Will my wildest dream actually come true?
Will the Rangers really win the World Series for the first time in their history?
I’ve seen too many ups and downs in 42 seasons to make a definitive prediction. But wow, wouldn’t it be the best kind of crazy if it happened?
It would be, dare I say, magical.
Related links:
• Not praying for Texas Rangers’ wins, but thanking God for them anyway
• For love of God, family and baseball
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 