This One for Skip

Two years ago no Texas Rangers fan had ever seen their team win the American League Championship, play for a World Series, or shock the country with hot bats and teenage like smiles. With seven games to play and the best record in the AL, Rangers fans now say it’s World Series or bust. Over the past two seasons, the Texas Rangers have turned into a baseball powerhouse, with home runs and bedazzling defensive plays. All these accomplishments are something DFW lives for, being called “a winner’s city” by Troy Aikman. That doesn’t mean the Rangers road to success has been without trouble and despair. Since a failed drug test just a few years ago, Manager Ron Washington has been not only the leader of this popular clubhouse, but a father figure to many of the players. Washington has dealt with not only his own off the field issues, but with his players as well. Keeping star centerfielder and slugger Josh Hamilton in line is maybe his biggest success, a task many thought was too much for any big league ball club. Somehow Washington holds that magic touch needed to help Hamilton with his troubles, with many crediting his own experiences as the reason why. Others say his success as a player helps him connect with the players. This may seem like nothing much, but in an era where media and news is constantly trying to stir up trouble and drama, things have stayed relatively low key in Arlington. Regardless of how or why he is able to keep a clubhouse that seems full of smiles, the Rangers look to win their third straight division title, something very new to this franchise. Washington says this season is not World Series or bust, but finishing a job that allured their grasp the previous two seasons has to keep him up at night from time to time. Many managers or even franchises would spend time making big changes after back to back World Series let downs, but not Washington. He coaches each game with a smile on his face and a jump in his step when he waves runners around third from the dugout. This kind of energy motivates players to do anything for their skipper; a respect many managers never receive from their players. Many times in sports that kind of thing goes unnoticed, and the value of a coach is sometimes never appreciated the way they deserve. So next time you are cussing the old man for pulling a pitcher too early, or a pinch hitter you just think is crazy, remember what the Rangers were before Mr. Washington came to town, because I promise you the New Orleans Saints would tell you first-hand what a great coach is worth. Follow me on Twitter @DFWsportscreed Edited by Keith Walterscheid and Dustin Hughes