My dad and I went to countless Texas Rangers games. I'm talking EVERY summer we were in Arlington going to Texas Rangers games - this was in the 1980s - Texas Rangers, WHO?!!! Oh that team Nolan Ryan played for??!! We Loved it!
I can still remember games at the old Arlington Stadium where the Texas Rangers started playing. When they started to build the new Ballpark I remember my dad watching and keeping track of the construction and progress. I can still remember when they were giving tours during the construction phase. Being a kid and standing out on the pitcher's mound. Then when the Ballpark opened going to this GRAND NEW BALLPARK!!! I remember watching Nolan Ryan pitch, at the time I didn't quite understand the whole concept, I knew he was good, but I don't think I realized I was watching HISTORY.
I don't know that I followed the baseball games as much as I just enjoyed the time. My dad was the dad that went TO THE Game, but LISTENED to the game on his radio headphones! I never understood it and called him out countless times. But I kept myself entertained, stealing the binoculars, eating Lemon ice slushes, and clapping and chanting the baseball songs/chants!!! It's a feeling, it's a memory, and it doesn't take much to transport myself back to those days. I can recall specific conversations, I can recall specific pictures in my head from those days. It's memories and feelings of being with my dad that I hope I NEVER Lose!!
Texas Rangers and the Ballpark are MY Dad! I remember going to my first Rangers game after my dad died. I can't describe the feelings I had. But I can tell you something that happened at that first game I went to September 25, 2009 - we were sitting out in Left Centerfield. Ian Kinsler was set to have his 30th Home Run and 30th Base Steal that night. IT HAPPENED!!! He hit his 30th Home Run Straight out into Left Centerfield! Right at US!! 4 seats down from me - a dad and his daughter that were with us, caught the homerun ball!!!!
The Texas Rangers have been on an upswing ever since. In 2010 they became the 2010 ALCS Champions and went to the World Series!!! I had an amazing opportunity to attend an ALCS game and a World Series game in 2010. And now in 2011 here we are again in the ALCS. I again went to an ALCS game last night to watch my Texas Rangers.
It is just unbelievable. I can't help but think how much my dad would LOVE THIS!!! There's not a game I go to where I don't stop, take in the sounds, the sights, the fans, the excitement...and wonder if he's right there enjoying every moment, smiling down on that team he Loves So much. Oh if he could just see those Texas Rangers now! My dad didn't teach me to Love Baseball, no he taught me to LOVE MY TEXAS RANGERS!!!!!!
