‘Scary’ reality: Texas Rangers all set to replace the Houston Astros atop the AL

Corey Seager had many memorable shots this fall, and his last landed directly on Crawford Street, in downtown Houston. The Texas Rangers’ shortstop now viral comments from the team’s World Series parade on Friday in Arlington was the perfect final memory from what will forever be remembered as the perfect season. “Everybody was wondering what would happen if the Rangers didn’t win the World Series,” he said. “I guess we’ll never know.” Of all the people who work for the Texas Rangers, Corey Seager would be voted the Least Likely To Trash Talk an Opponent; verbally, Seager is a white toast sandwich on wheat, with a small glass of milk. Which makes him the perfect person to deliver this

zinger. Not sure what people will remember more; this direct dig at the Astros and outfielder Alex Bregman, or Seager’s game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 1 of the World Series.

In their five decades in Texas, the Rangers never had this type of bravado; even their two previous teams that made the World Series, in 2010 and 2011, never were they feared. They were good, but never feared. Winning a World Series forever changes the Texas Rangers. Before this 2023 season began, despite the team’s enormous financial spending spree in each of the last two offseasons, no reasonable person would have had a reason to fear this team. According to oddsmakers, the Rangers had a 1.3 percent chance of winning the World Series.

Now that first one is out of the way, “Let’s a get a second one,” Rangers third baseman Josh Jung said on the field in Arizona shortly after the team won Game 5 to finish the World Series. As much as so many people (who, me?) hammered Rangers primary owner Ray Davis over the few years, both he and his ownership group deserve credit for this one. When you win the World Series, all moves are justified.

Believe the man when he has said, many times, since the Rangers won the World Series, “We are set up for success.” Of all the potential teams to become the threat to dethrone the Houston Astros this time one year ago, the Rangers were not on the list. Now, they are on top of the docket

Houston’s dynastic-run has included six American League West titles, seven consecutive trips to the A.L. Championship Series, four World Series appearances and two World Series titles. Of late, there has been a debate whether this run qualifies as a “dynasty.” In Major League Baseball, it does.