Cliff Lee thumps the Rays out of the arena (Pt. 5)
The Texas Rangers had done something they never had managed to do in Major League Baseball, before. The won the playoffs and made their way to the American League championship. The last time they entered the post season was
back in 1999. Unfortunately for them the New York Yankees dealt them a great deal of pain by terminating their progression there and then. Now the side will be meeting the East wildcard berth team for the rematch of the last post season encounters they’ve
faced before. The side will surely look to payback the 28 time World champions for the losses they inflicted against them in the last seasons.
The Rangers were 2 – 0 up in the series after game 2 in the seasons before the battered Tampa Bay Rays went back into flow to put the west leaders to the sword for the next two fixtures being played in the Rangers’ Ballpark.
The match set was extended to 5 and Tampa Bay got a chance to oust the Texans out of the playoffs. Unfortunately, that wasn’t to be the case as Ron Washington’s squad made short work of the challengers with Cliff Lee.
Master Lee had done a lot to be his side on top and at the end of the game mentioned the fact that he enjoyed the matches. He had fun in both playoff games and it gave him time to optimize his pitching performance to a favourable
level. He highlighted the match by saying how the Rangers were held against the wall and forced to perform. He commented on the Rays by praising their resilience n the field. Ron Washington added on Lee’s display with, "I don't think you can ask any more of
a guy”.
For Joe Maddon, the dream came to a close and the gaffer was quick to comment on David Price by saying he did well. However, he did mention that there were many mistakes in the spring training session. He ended his comments
by congratulating the Texans and praised their level of commitment in the season.
For Josh Hamilton the night was a significant note on his career. Having helped the side to their playoff position, the slugger was happy and excited about the victory. He described the moment as it was the first time the
team ever went past the playoffs. He quickly followed that up with a small hopeful urge for the side to take the energy to the next level.
The longest running player in the Texas side is none other than Michael Young and he was part of the team that went clear to the post season 11 years ago in 1999. For him the occasion was as big as ever. He was pumped up
about the chance to go up against the New York Yankees and mentioned how the World Series Champions were the defending title holders and how it was important to knock them off the leading position. The player will be meeting his long time friend and now rival,
Alex Rodriguez on the field as they go toe to toe on the 16th of October.
The Ranger’s Hall of Fame ball thrower and President, Nolan Ryan was there to comment on the accomplishment and after having a hard bidding war for the club in June, the former star player shared a few words with the press
on the occasion: "I'm a believer in momentum. I'm a believer that you have to believe you can do it and this club does. This club has done it coming out of spring training. Then we were able to put some pieces together to complement the ballclub, and obviously
the biggest acquisition was Cliff because he gave us that lead horse in the pitching staff."
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