Only the Rangers

9 IP, 6 ER, 9 HITS, 0 BB, 2 K, AND 3 HR ALLOWED. That my friends was Cliff Lee's stat line in his first start as a Texas Ranger. I was there watching high above from section 331. A near sellout crowd saw the lefty ace's foray into Lone Star Baseball. The excitement was so high for Cliff Lee's arrival, that the 20 minute ceremony honoring Michael Young before the game was not even the most important thing happening in Arlington. It was the Rangers biggest night in a decade. And what happens? Their new ace looks anything but "acey" and the mighty Chris Tillman had a no hitter going into the 7th for Baltimore, the worst team in the league. Only the Rangers can quell their fan base's fervor like that. Not only do you get one of the best pitchers in the league going into the All-Star Break, you are in 1st place in a division you haven't won since 1999. You have a comfortable lead. And then you get swept by the worst team in baseball. Really Rangers? Really?

Now I know that Cliff Lee will probably be fine. Especially when he pitches on the road away from the Ballpark. But for one night it would have been great to see the Rangers capture the excitement that was in the air. They didn't. And it has become an all too common occurrence for a team that seems to have no luck. In fact, they have a chance this week to go from a terrible ownership situation to one that is tailor made for them. But the Greenberg-Ryan group may not get the chance. And the greatest Ranger in history (Nolan Ryan) will be shown the door by a new ownership group if this happens.

Only the Rangers my friends. Only the Rangers.


That is all.