Joy In Arlington? Ron Washington Says No
ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) -- The Rangers still have a shot – that's manager Ron Washington's message heading into Wednesday's series finale against the Houston Astros.
But fans and followers in Arlington act as if the Rangers are dead, and Wash has taken notice.
"You look at every other city that has a chance to be in the playoffs right now, there's joy," said Washington. "I don't see a lot of joy in Arlington. I really don't."
Ron Washington
Most would point to the Rangers recent struggles as the source of their doubt in the club. The team has dropped 16 of 24, including seven consecutive when the AL West was decided in September. But the team is still in contention.
Have Rangers fans been spoiled by back-to-back World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011? Of course.
Do they have the right to lack joy? Wash thinks not.
"All they can talk about is how we collapsed. That's not right."
And the Texas skipper might have a point.
Despite losing opening day starter Matt Harrison, veteran starter Colby Lewis, double digit starts from Martin Perez, and a host of position players throughout the season, the Rangers are still in the race in the season's final week.
"I don't think nobody, when we started losing people, thought that we would be here. We did. We spoiled people because we kept it together. When it looked like it was falling apart...I don't have to tell y'all what you've seen," said Washington.
In winning last night, the Rangers reached 86 wins for the fifth consecutive season. Only Atlanta and St. Louis can say the same.
To put this in perspective, the franchise reached 86+ wins only eight times over its first 37 seasons (1972-2008).
Five in a row isn't bad. In fact, it's something to celebrate. So where's the joy?
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