NMOHM 70 • Speaking of Sports

Photo: theathletic.com

Texas Rangers Adolis Garcia has the makings of a superstar, which could be a major reason the rebuilt club will give its fans plenty to celebrate during its 50th season in the major leagues.

While grappling with getting old a while back, my wife asked her father, “what has been your favorite decade so far?” A man of few words,

She was so excited. She breathlessly told me that we had when I was in my twenties.” burger joints, convertibles and sock hops. But having just can be a great decade too. It was for me. Here’s hoping it is for the Rangers.

Yes, the Rangers are 50 years old. What a year it could December the team went all in on free agency. They knew what they wanted: that is to be a powerful team that is strong up the middle. Five hundred million dollars later since traded for a hard hitting catcher and could John Rhadigan start the season with an Chris Woodward says is a budding superstar. So let’s work backwards made the All Star team last year despite not making the big league club out of spring training. He put up gaudy some second half struggles and emerged as a candidate to become a superstar.

Last month, Rangers Manager Chris Woodward told MLB.com, “When he stays in the strike zone, he’s a superstar. I mean, that’s basically what it comes down to. We’ve done all the numbers and data. When he stays in the strike zone he is a superstar.”

It will be a lot easier to stay in the strike zone with the heavy hitters around him, Corey Seager and Marcus Semien foremost among them. It is those two free agents that set the 50th year of Rangers baseball in the right million. Seager signed a decade-long deal that will pay

There is so much to like about this keystone combination. idea he has power at the plate. And, oh by the way, he won that position at the big league level. a World Series champion, he was the MVP of the fall classic in 2020, he was the MVP of the NLCS the same year, he’s a

He and Chris Woodward worked together in Los Angeles and both know exactly what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

Both men are natural-born leaders; in fact Woody is is a veteran, not one of the young guys on a Dodgers team that was full of veteran leadership. For his part Semien is part of the MLBPA executive committee and was personally involved with the negotiations that ended the lockout before too much damage was done.

Finally there is Mitch Garver. The Rangers traded fan the back-up to Bobby Wilson. Bobby is now his position coach.

Those are just a few of the Rangers new additions. They will help make this team strong up the middle and help ensure that the team, the franchise and its fans enjoy the