Before We Begin....

Is anyone else's day just dragging by as slowly as mine is?

I know the Rangers are the New England Patriots.

In Boston, even though the Patriots won the Super Bowl, the local New England sports fan reaction was – well that’s nice – when does Spring Training start?

It was easy for me to figure that out judging by the local media coverage and fan reaction to a 1-5 football team yesterday while the Rangers are on verge of their first World Series game.

I can live with that.

There will never be another moment in time like this one, and I’m living in the moment. First playoff series victory, first AL Pennant, first trip to the World Series – the Rangers as the lead story on MLB Network, as well as all the online sports websites - there is no way to describe a baseball fan living the dream (especially in a football town).

I’m worried about a couple of things (Vladdy in general and in particular playing RF, Tommy Hunter starting Game 4 after his two previous playoff game starts, maybe a little bit about CJ after his start in NY) – but looking at the big picture – the outcome almost doesn’t matter: the big bad dragon has been slain (the Yankees and their “mystique”) if the Rangers win – great, if they don’t – it’s still great they finally made it to the World Series.

Fianlly: (With apologies to John Fogerty)

"Well I spent my time in old Arlington Stadium, watching it the heat
You know I took some lumps when Juan Gonzalez struck out
So say hey Buddy, tell ol 'Pudge, and Hello Win Column Mark Holtz
Don’t say “it ain’t so” – you know “It’s Time” right now

Put me in Johnny, I’m ready to play today
Put me in Ron, I’m ready to play today
Look at me I am in the World Series"

Rangers in 6 – Marla Hooch

Pass It On

There was a man named John Byczynski, he served as a member of the cavalry in El Paso, Texas during the 1920’s. John played football and baseball while in the Army in Texas; he was always a baseball fan. John had a daughter named Eleanor. Eleanor had a cousin named Antoinette. John, Eleanor and Antoinette shared their love of baseball; Antoinette said that John taught her everything she knows about baseball.


Antoinette and Eleanor were Cleveland Indians fans, they enjoyed the Tribe’s successes as young girls, but as Indians fans they both learned about the long summers of following a losing team too.

When she grew up Antoinette had a daughter she named Eleanor – who eventually became known as “the other Eleanor”. Antoinette and her sister Cathi, who was also a baseball fan, passed their love of the great game onto “the other Eleanor”

John passed away in the 1970’s, his daughter Eleanor remained a Cleveland baseball fan. Her goddaughter – “the other Eleanor” - moved to Texas in 1979 and became a Rangers fan. Antoinette moved to Texas a little later and became a Rangers fan too. Both Eleanors endured some very lean years of baseball in the 1980’s. John’s daughter did experience the Indians renaissance in the 1990’s and their trip to the World Series. “The Other Eleanor’s” Rangers had a very brief moment of glory for a short time in the late 1990’s too – but never a trip to the World Series. Last Friday night that all changed.

Every family has their traditions passed from one generation to the next – my family’s is baseball, and I am so proud of that. Wednesday night Antoinette (my Baseball Mom) and I (“the other Eleanor”) will watch our Rangers play in their first World Series game. Aunt Eleanor (my godmother) will be watching too at her home in Marblehead, Ohio – all because a cavalry soldier who loved baseball passed it on.

Thank You Uncle John.

Go Rangers -- Marla Hooch

P.S. I've read so many terrific articles this week about the Rangers. These four (links) are my favorites: they  made me smile, laugh out loud and even brought a tear to my eye



T.R. Sullivan:  10 Reason Why The Rangers Are In The World Series

Peter Gammons: Rangers Enjoy Texas Sized Moment

Randy Galloway: Rangers Prove Anything Is Now Possible

 Jim Reeves: Pennant Vanquishes Rangers Ghosts

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Game 6 - The Morning After

I planned at trip to New Orleans with my sister the New Mexico Bean and Dr. Brad (her husband) a long, long time ago.  I'll admit that I never thought the Rangers would get this far in the playoffs - so I didn't worry about the timimng - silly me.

Saw the 8th and 9th inning at a place on Chartres St. last night - and then celebrated!

This morning at Cafe Beignet this is how things looked with my Yankee fan brother in law:

I still can't believe the Rangers are going to the World Series!  I still can't believe I planned a trip in the middle of the ALCS!

The hat stays on all day today.  Can't wait to get home and write some more.

GO RANGERS!!!!!! -- Marla Hooch

Game 5

To use a quote from Eric Nadel that I've heard several times during the playoffs "nothing is ever easy for these Rangers."

Clinching at home would be great.

I'm going to take a cue from Cliff Lee (see picture) and adapt the "what me worry?" attitude.

In fact, I'm not even going to blog until Sunday - no matter what happens.  Okay, I'm not going to be by a computer until Sunday night.

Keeping the faith that the next time I blog it will be about another 7 game series next week for my team.

Go Rangers!!!! -- Marla Hooch

Game 4

Dear Yankees,

Please remember: payback is a bitch.

Signed - Very Sincerely - Marla Hooch

P.S. The Magic Number is 1 !!!!

Game 3

With apologies to Annie Savoy:  I believe in the Church of Cliff Lee  -- Marla Hooch



P.S. I actually missed most of the game last night (yes, I know sacrilige). There was an emergency situation - I had to take my neighbor to the hospital - turned out she was having a heart attack.   Thinking of you Joanie, hope you are better soon!
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