Out of Exile

With Texas Rangers pitchers and catchers reporting today, I felt it was time to bring this shirt out of exile.  The last time it was worn was October 27, 2011.  Game 6 of the 2011 World Series.  You know, the one where the Rangers were one strike from winning the World Series not once, but twice.  I tried a different shirt for Game 7, but it didn't help, and after the Series I hung this t-shirt up in the closet, right next to my Mavericks shirt, hoping the Mavs shirt would tell the Rangers shirt all about bouncing back from Finals heartbreak to win it all.

And yeah, when I told my wife this story she rolled her eyes and wished something more meaningful would find its way into my thoughts.  But it's strange how sports affects life.  I keep thinking I'm over the World Series.  I mean, I have a great job, great family, great friends, and another child on the way.  Strangers that are really good at baseball shouldn't make my heart sink when I look at a t-shirt 4 months after a loss.  But I'm still not completely over those feelings.  I'm guessing I'll never get over it until the day that they finally get their World Series.

Other than playoff joy, the two biggest thrills in a baseball fan's life are Opening Day and Pitchers and Catchers reporting.  Today is one of those two days, and my little Rangers heart and my Nike Rangers Baseball t-shirt are ready.