For the first time this season, last night the Rangers finally looked tired to me. Does anyone else agree? And it's probably with good reason. The flurry of recent doubleheaders, the strain of weather-related delays and postponements, combined with the difficulties of losing both Josh Hamilton and their team leader, Michael Young, for extended periods in the midst of a pennant chase would probably be enough to finally fatigue even the most dedicated of teams. Plus, by mid-September, everybody's gassed. It's a long, long season.

And the chase is not over yet, but it sure looks grim now. But still, what a great, great season! I'll look back during the cold winter and remember the moments of this exciting season with a smile. The Rangers were a year ahead of schedule with the progress of this season. 2010 sure looks great!

Thank is exactly what I told my husband. He got to listen, but could not watch (on the road) and I told him they just looked flat and worn out! All of them, not just one. You know when even Marlon Byrd looks worn, you are in trouble cuz he is always pumped and smiling! I think part of that look came from their frustration, but I think they are just done. But it is ok, cuz this has been a really really great season. Barring any unforseen give aways of players, we look to really be good next year! I can't wait. And I will still enjoy this year--going to the game tomorrow.

After all of those excuses, this team is still only six games out with six left to play against LAA. Hopefully, the team isn't feeling sorry for itself and displays the stones necessary to finish strongly and give LAA a run for the money.

As much hope is some of you are putting into 2010, I sure hope you're not disappointed again. It's foolish to look at next year when this year isn't over yet.

I don't think Tampa Bay was worried about this season as they were winning their way into the World Series last year. They obviously weren't too young of a team to make it that far. I'm sure the Red Sox wished that Longoria and Upton were gearing up for this year instead of hammering them so bad last year.

Very well put! I agree with everything you say. Yes, the dream is over now...or has it just begun?

Hey sonoman, just out of curiosity, how did the Rangers fare against the Red ###, whoops, typo, Red Sox for the season series this year?

They got their #### handed to them...(oops typo.....in my best attempt to sound like Ratface)

What's that have to do with your topic and my response? To you, that's probably the highlight of the season. That goes straight to my point, though. Why not expect more from your team? Why be satisfied with failure? And make no mistake about it, if they don't make the playoffs then the Rangers have failed. Yes, they have played much better but if the end result is the same then who cares?

They have been in a position most of the season to achieve success. That still hasn't changed, despite all of the excuses you offered. They, and only they, control their destiny for the remainder of the season. If they don't end up at least tied for first with LAA, then they have failed.

Oh, by the way. A head to head series with the Red Sox really doesn't matter when the Sox are 6.5 games better than the Rangers. Again, nobody (except you) cares about the journey. It's only the destination that matters.

While I'll admit that a 7-2 record against the Red ###, oops, there I go again, is quite a highlight, this season has been full of bright moments. And you're really wrong about one important thing--if the Rangers do not get in this season, no, it is certainly NOT a failure. They're a year ahead of schedule!! 2010 was the year management had been banking for being in playoff contention.

And I assure you--I'm not the only one for whom the journey does matter (especially when that journey included pounding Boston regularly).

Well, as the "lover of any and all excuses," I hope you cherish and enjoy that Rangers domination while the Red Sox are competing in the playoffs. You have all of those games on your DVR, huh? I bet you do, and I bet you still watch them regularly.

So, about them being "a year ahead of schedule." What happens if their pitching returns to typical Rangers' form next season? What happens if Hamilton falls off the wagon again? What about if Young or Kinsler shred an ACL and are gone for the season?

That "year ahead of schedule" business and "banking" on next year kinda gets lost again in excuses, huh?

Why didn't Tampa Bay make excuses last year and just fold up their tent when they were better suited for competing this year? Do you think maybe it was because they were driven to succeed? Do you think that maybe they understood that success in future seasons is not guaranteed?

Only a Rangers fan would go on a message board and basically state that this season was a success because the team performed better and next year is more important.

7-2.

6 1/2

I've watched the Rangers since they moved here from Washington, and finishing at .500 was once considered a successful season. For any longtime Rangers fans this season is already a success.

Heaven forbid they ever actually win anything! Yours and Ratface's heads will probably explode.

I am as big a rangers fan as anyone and I absolutely detest this "year ahead of schedule" mess, I want to win NOW! is that selfish of me?? I don't think so. If the offense numbers were 75% of an average rangers year, combined with the current pitching, we would have a playoff spot locked down. There is no explaination or excuse for the season-long, team-wide offensive drought, as much as I like the guys we have, we have to do something about their lack of production, they need to be held accountable.

One more thing, I don't want to wait until NEXT YEAR!

Finally, here's a Rangers fan who doesn't associate success with just having a winning record.

Might there be more of you out there?

I only used the "year ahead of schedule" line in another thread to thwart an attempt to locate a scapegoat. OF COURSE I want the Rangers to win NOW. I am one of the few Rangers fans who has not tossed in the proverbial "towel".

All day long, I have been thinking about how, IF the Red Sox defeat the Angels tonight and IF the Rangers sweep the Angels this weekend, the Rangers will be a mere 2 ½ games out of first in your Monday morning newspapers.

Look for me on TV tomorrow night ... I will be witnessing the drive to the 2009 AL West title in person

i have my "proverbial towel" in hand....

tomorrow at the game the first 25000 get some sort of rally towel or something like that, i heard the guys mention it last night. get there early cheapy!

speaking of the angels and bosox, anyone watch the end of that game?? if that wasn't a miscalled strike, i don't know what a strike is.

ETA = 4:30pm

You are the exact type of fan that teams need. I respect fans like you. When you expect mediocrity, that's what you get. When you expect and demand greatness, the players sense that in a crowd.

I know you understand that "year ahead of schedule" is something to be praised and not used as an excuse or crutch. From what has been reported, the organization's balance sheet seems to indicate it would be much more important to win now than possibly next year. After all, wins and playoff appearances means more butts in seats.

They have had a great season but they will have failed if they do not make the playoffs. Again, their postseason destiny is still in their hands.

So maybe the Rangers should fire Rudy Jaramillo, the greatest hitting coach in the game today? Or perhaps trade Michael Young because he failed to drive in 100 runs? Teamwide offensive down years do happen in the game, and its's just a part of it.

Let's see ... in about eight hours I will be walking across the Ballpark parking lot thinking that there is no better place to be on a September Friday night ... GO RANGERS

My head didn't explode when they won their division those three times in the mid '90's, but it probably would if they actually ever won a playoff series. LOL

mine is the same. i will be wearing red too! RED OUT WEEKEND at the Ballpark!

Maybe they should do both of those things, or maybe neither. The point is the organization (and its fans) shouldn't be happy with just having a winning record. The expectation should be to compete year in and year out for the division title. And in those years that they are competing, they should not take anything for granted and do whatever it takes to complete their goal. Some on here have been conceding the division and only talking about the Wild Card since mid-August. I mean give me a break. It's 09/18 and your team is still in contention for the division title.

To settle for anything less than a playoff appearance is laughable.

^ I personally never liked the idea of being the wild card, I have always wanted the division title.

Changes have to be made. I don't have the exact numbers in front of me, but if Jarimillo is "the greatest hitting coach" in MLB, why is our offensive output so low??? The rangers, over the past several years, have been known for their offensive prowess but their numbers this year are horrible.

I don't know where, how or who, and I'm not going to point fingers, but things have to change for this ballclub to be successful.