That’s Why I Love the Game

I am so glad I decided on a whim to drive up to the Dallas area and go to a Rangers game. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much. I mean the Rangers do have the second worst record in all of MLB. I thought it would be a pleasant game and a chance to add a new stadium to my list. But, what a game! I can say without a doubt that I saw the finest ninth inning of a ball game I have ever seen in person. The Rangers went into the top of the ninth down 3-0. On the mound is the Brewers closer Cordero, the best in the majors w/ 22 saves.

The first two batters are quick outs and half the audience has left. Then–from out of nowhere–the Rangers bats come alive to play a beautiful half inning of small ball with five singles and one walk that lead to four runs. Absolutely spectacular!!! Not only that, but three of the Rangers batters had a 0-2 count–only one strike away from losing the game.

So, the Rangers help my beloved Astros by beating the Brewers, who currently are the leaders in the ‘Stros division.

In addition to all of this, I got to see Byrd make one of the best defensive plays I have ever seen in person or on the highlight reel.

All of this speaks to one of the reasons why I love of the game: there is no other sport where the game is 95% over and the losing team can overcome such a deficit since there is no time limit. And going into the ninth, I have read enough baseball stats to know that though possible such comebacks are almost statistically improbable. And yet, every so often, they do happen. And…that is one of the reasons why I love the game.