Message from Chuck Greenberg
Rangers CEO Chuck Greenberg posted the following message on his Facebook page
This season has transcended expectations and transformed the psyche and hearts of legions of Rangers fans across Texas and throughout our country and beyond. At the core of the remarkable journey we have shared together is a ballclub and a community who collectively have consigned the conventional wisdom of the past to the dust bins of history, busting myths and charting a new course previously thought to be unattainable.
Can’t pitch successfully in Rangers Ballpark. Wrong.
Can’t compete successfully late in the season because the heat will break you down. Wrong.
Fans will lose interest when training camp opens. Wrong.
Fans won’t come to Rangers Ballpark after the All Star break because it’s too hot. Wrong.
Rangers can’t win a playoff series. Wrong.
Rangers can’t win a playoff game at home. Wrong.
Rangers can’t beat the Yankees in the playoffs. Wrong.
Rangers can’t get to the World Series. Wrong.
Rangers can’t captivate the hearts and emotions of fans new and old deep into the fall. Wrong.
And on and on and on….
I can’t even begin to count the memorable moments we have shared this year thanks to a very special group of players with hearts and smiles as big as Texas, who always pull together, stand up for one another, and who have changed the sports landscape here in the Metroplex forever.
But here is a simple reality. Monday will be the last game played in Rangers Ballpark this year. We all owe it to ourselves, our players and each other, to celebrate with passion, enthusiasm and indefatigable belief from lineup cards to the final out, loud and proud.
The defining team of my young life was the 1979, “We are Family” Pittsburgh Pirates. I have often remarked how much this Rangers club reminds me of that team, with a confident but friendly swagger and an abundance of character and personality.
Now these two teams have something else in common. Both fell behind 3-1 in the World Series. Kent Tekulve, the great closer from the ’79 Pirates, texted me after tonight’s game to pass along this story. Before Game 5, Willie Stargell told his teammates:
“We are playing in front of the whole world. We may not win this thing, but before we go, let’s show the world how the Pirates really play baseball.”
The Pirates, playing against a team whose colors were black and orange, won Game 5. Then they returned to Baltimore and won Game 6. Then they won Game 7.
I know our players will show everyone how the Rangers play baseball tomorrow. As fans, let’s do the same. We have one final opportunity this season to show the world what we have accomplished together and the passion we all hold for our players and our shared dreams.
The World Series is going back to San Francisco. And then there will be one final piece of conventional wisdom to prove wrong….
Believe.
Chuck
T.R. Sullivan
Toby
I moved to Arlington in 1984 and attended my first Texas Rangers game that summer. That was the beginning of a love affair with the most unlikely World Series team. I have seen players come and I have seen those players break my heart when they retired or went to other teams, I still haven’t forgiven Texeira for going to the dreaded yankees. This season has been amazing and win or lose, they are still my team and I am grateful for the ride this team has taken me on in the last 26 years. The team that will take the field tonight is the most amazing group of ball players and they have played with such heart and I will be forever grateful for the fun this season has brought. Thank you for supporting Josh Hamilton and Ron Washington when it probably would have been easier to distance yourselves them both of them. What a testimony Josh has and what a role model. I will be watching tonight with my husband and kids and praying for that big win, but win or lost, it has been an absolute joy and pleasure being a Texas Rangers fan for 26 years.
I have never seen heart like this, whether baseball or any other sport. This is where it is at. It is true, it is honest, and it is pure. There is sooo much to look forward to with this organization, and it’s almost enough to even look past what has already happened. But that will never happen. We will never forget what happened in Texas this year. This year we may or may not win a world series. But one thing is for sure, this year we have won more than anyone ever could have imagined. We have won one for Texas, we have won one for baseball, we have won one for all of sports and for everyone with any care to witness. Absolutely great message, Chuck. I know that no matter what happens tonight, at the moment that final out is made, I will be cheering my heart out for our Texas Rangers. And that’s an understatement.
Thanks so much. I am so so fortunate to be part of all this.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO RAAAAAAAANGERRRRRRSSS!!!
As a lover of baseball and an avid Washington Nationals fan living in the state of Maryland, I can vouch for the fact that there ARE fans who are interested in the Rangers late in the season! I have been reading about the Rangers since my daughter and her family moved to TX 2 yrs ago. I can say that not only is this a fabulous and professional ball club, but they have captured the hearts of many people throuhgout the U.S. Keep up the good work, all you guys…you are a shining example of what a great American ball club is all about!
Mr. Greenberg,
I believe! It ain’t over ’till it’s over.
I never thought I’d see The Texas Rangers go to the World Series in my lifetime, and I never thought I’d go to a World Series game – but both have happened. I’m with Chuck – you can’t give up until the last out. But no matter what happens tonight or (hopefully) in San Francisco – it’s been heart-wrenching, thrilling, amazing and … I’ve run out of adjectives to describe what a great season this has been. Thanks to Nolan, JD and his staff, Ron Washington his coaches and the players for making this season a Rangers baseball fan’s dream come true. Go Rangers!!!!
Mr. Greenberg,
I have been a Rangers fan for 26 years. Trust me when I say: WE BELIEVE!
This team has exceeded all expectations for the metroplex. Win or lose, we have a winning team.
My 25 year old son called me before the series started. He said “remember all those times you took me to Ranger games as a kid? You are the biggest Ranger fan I know and I am taking you to game five of the series”. Needless to say my emotions were all over the table. They still are. Every game in the Fall Classic, I have watched on TV and have been emotional. The feeling I had when my son called me, is the same feeling I have right now as we head out to the ballpark for game five.
Antlers up! The claw will shave the beard! It’s Time!
Lets go!
Dave Bearce
Way to go Chuck! It feels really good to have an owner that has a heart for this team. Win or lose I will always love the Rangers. We have done so much this year.
Thanks! Antlers UP!
Heather G.
Thank You Chuck. I have been saying this all year. My husband and I have been fans for years win or lose. This year is and was great!” Last year was wonderful as well. Your right even in the hottest days of July and August, my husband and family and I get out there and support OUR Rangers. I give thanks to all of our men that have given there hearts to the game of Baseball this year. I still come to tears just knowing we have made it this far. Every game won and every game lost. I’m proud to have even seen The Rangers go to the World Series. Again Win or Lose they are My Rangers for life. Thank you so much for being apart of the growth of this great team. God Bless You Ryan and all the staff and Players today. May the good Lord Bless us with a win. Loud and Proud GO RANGERS!!!!!
I’m a believer in my perception of what the Rangers are trying to do. I’m now a believer in Jon Daniels and I always believed in Nolan Ryan and Ron Washington and his crew. I’ve had a great time this season and I’ll be watching tonight…and even if…and I say IF…it’s the last game “what a heck” of a season! Our young pitchers will be stronger next year and hopefully we can sign Cliff Lee (Peter Gammons says we will). “I Believe” and It was time!
Can i just say that i have been an avid Texas Ranger fan for over 20 years! To this day i still talk about former players such as Dean Palmer, Juan Gonzalez, Rusty Greer & especially Pudge Rodriguez! But i have never seen a team that has captured the hearts of Texas fans like this one has! The dynamic that they have on the field and apparently in the dugout and locker room is amazing! So few egos amongst such amazing baseball players! Win or lose, (i’m still going with…win) they have brought Texas Ranger fans nothing but pure joy and pride throughout this season! The Rangers taking out the Yankees and then playing in the World Series is a dream come true for every TRUE Ranger fan!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Now…let’s go Rangers and finish what we started!!
Chuck,
We love you, and we appreciate all it took to finally become the owner of this team. Please understand that you have some of THE best fans in all of sports. Thanks for finally giving us something to show for our loyalty. I consider myself to be a pretty tough guy, but I broke down into tears when we beat those hated Yankees to move on to our first World Series. And my wife didn’t even make fun of me. She knows how much I love this team, and I’m sure there are many, many others that share my same feelings. You and Nolan are a Godsend to the Metroplex. We look forward to brighter things to come.
All I can say is Thank you. Thank you for me and my daughter who have been fans and gone to games for many years. Listened to the radio and watched TV when we couldn’t be at the ballpark and all the great times and memories we have. And all that we will have. Thank you for making a place where I met my husband four years ago. Thank you for making this such a great season for him – an avid fan for over 30 years and all the fans like him. Thank you for the memories you are making for all the fathers and sons attending the games together. And the families, friends and associates attending these games together. I had chills and tears when we beat the Yankess to win the ALCS at the game. Chills and tears when I watched the replays on TV over and over and over again. Thank you to the support you have shown all of us, in your support of Josh Hamilton and Ron Washington and proving to us that giving someone another chance can lead to something great. Thank you to all the players that do not seem to give up and try. Thank you to all the faith you show in people from the ticket takers, security, greeters/ushers, vendors, office staff, parking attendants, gift shop personnel and anyone else to continue to make the strides to making our trips to the ballpark great every time. And hopefully convince more people that this is the place to be. Thank you because I normally hate when baseball season is over and cannot wait until opening day but even more so now. Thank you and God bless you all.
Patti
I am sooo excited for all of the Texas Rangers! Win or loose they are still my #1 team….But in saying that my hopes and prayers are with them always as they continue their journey thru the World Series! My husband and I were blessed to be able to attend the 1st World Series game at Rangers Stadium…How AWESOME!! The fans backing the team are wonderful!! I am glad to call myself a Texas Rangers Baseball fan!! Good luck guys!! Keep up the good work!! My God Bless each and EVERYONE of you that are involved in any part of the club!
Karen
Chuck,
All I can say is thank you. Thank you for putting together an awesome group of guys for us to believe in. I have been a fan of the rangers since I was eleven and I went to my first game. It was love at first sight and has been ever since. Last week when they won the pennant I cried I was so happy. I guess I’m just trying to say it’s incrediable what has happen for the club this year and for the fan. Thank you for making the fan important again. In closing, no matter what happens, I have never been prouder to be a rangers fan! Go Rangers!!!
Mr. Greenburg;
As a Rangers fan for 34 years now, having lived all of my life deep in Yankee country (Central NY State), I can say that this has been the most amazing season ever. Seeing the Rangers beat the Yankees in the ALCS brought tears to my eyes, as did watching Nolan throw the first pitch to Pudge. Of course I would love to see a World Championship banner flying in Arlington, and I hope to one day If I can ever make it to Texas. If tonight is the end of the season, please know that the Rangers have made me as proud as a baseball fan can be. I don’t get to see much of the Rangers on TV up here, and man is it great. I am not ready for it to end, so keep up the good work and let’s take the last 3. Go Rangers!!!!!
ALL I CAN SAY IT IT”S TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WAY TO GO, CHUCK. GO RANGERS!!!! YOU CAN DO THIS! WE ARE BEHIND YOU NO MATTER WHAT………thanks for the fun
This article game me the chills. My father use to take my brother and I to see the Pirates. The 1979 team was something special, and recall the way Three Rivers Stadium felt like it was going to shake off the foundation when they started play “We are Family” and “Rubberband Man” when Tekulve took the mound. I said a few weeks ago this team reminded me of that fond Childhood team. My heart still never got over the 1992 NLCS loss to the Braves. The Pirates have never been the same. We moved to Texas seven years ago and immediately got behind the “home team”. Clinching the division, ALDS, ALCS wins have all healed my broken heart…and now to see them compared to the Bucs. Gives me hope, Makes me remember…This is not impossible. Our Rangers have the heart, the spirit and the talent to get this done.
I believe I believe !!! Go Rangers tonight is yours! I see so much talent , spirit and ability. Tonight it will all pay off !
When you have a war criminal throwing out the first pitch, you get no sympathy from rational people who find your mixing if right-wing politics and baseball a travesty. Give me the pot smokers in Frisco any day. go GIANTS!!!!
When you have a war criminal throwing out the first pitch, you get no sympathy from rational people who find your mixing of right-wing politics and baseball a travesty. Give me the pot smokers in Frisco any day. go GIANTS!!!!
Chuck, it’s great to have an owner who loves this team like the fans do–thanks for all you’ve done. What a great group of guys to cheer for. Once a Junior Ranger always a Junior Ranger! Claw me!
W – Will to succeed
I – Integity
N – Never quit
A perfect description of our RANGERS. I’ve been a fan forever and have loved them win or lose. I’m so proud of what they’ve accomplished this year as a TEAM. Thank you to a wonderful team and organization for the pride and joy you given to your fans, communities and our state. Go rangers!!!
Thank you Texas Rangers for the amazing year you have given all of your fans. We have been season ticket holders since 1986 and you made this year worth the wait. All of Texas is walking a little taller and prouder because of you.
Sir~ Unless you want to be as the Philly Phlop of 2010… please sign Mr. Lee and then go after Mr. Greinke. Last Year may have been “It’s Time”, but 2011 is certainly: “NOW~ It’s Here”. I’ve been a long tender of this great sport of Baseball. I like our chances of repeating as AL Champs, if the right moves are made. We both know the West, will be a dog fight. Mr. Ryan, in your heart, you know it’s all about pitching… as Champions, it’s BIG pitching… as noted by Giants- World Champions. Take notice and heed.
Quality does not cost… it pays.