My Personal Top Ten Texas Rangers Moments

Sep 25, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder

(32) hits an rbi single during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Rangers Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

There are always a lot of lists and a lot of countdowns that happen about baseball teams and their history, their seasons and so on, and I thought I would take a moment to share my personal top ten Texas Rangers moments. I have been watching almost every game of Texas Rangers baseball for over ten years now, and I was a fan before that. These are the moments that stand out to me above all others, but it is by no means a comprehensive list. That is where I need you to come in Ranger fans. I need to you comment below, tweet me personally or tweet NolanWritin, leave comments on my Facebook page or the NolanWritin Facebook page, or anywhere else you can find me and tell me some of your top moments. Then I will write a second article based on your favorite Texas Rangers moments. These are my top ten favorite moments that I witnessed personally.

10. Pudge Steals a Nacho!

Mar 18, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers special assistant

stands at the top of the dugout stairs during the second inning against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Ivan Rodriguez, known as Pudge, was catching for the Texas Rangers. He was apparently feeling a bit hungry, because after making a great catch over by the crowd, Pudge looked down and saw a tray full of nachos and just couldn’t help himself, so he helped himself. Pudge grabbed a hand full of the nachos, and took a big bite of them. The Texas Rangers were not having a great season, and it was a very funny moment so it makes my list at number ten.

9. Gary Matthews Jr. Climbs the wall

This one has a double meaning for why I like it so much. Number one, because it was a fantastic catch, and number two, because I was there in person with my dad, my father-in-law and my grandfather-in-law. Both my dad and my grandfather-in-law have passed on, so it holds special meaning for that reason. Besides that, it was pretty awesome to see Gary Matthews Jr. make that catch in person. What a great catch. I was sitting close enough to the field that I could see the shock on the Texas Rangers players faces as well as the Astros faces! Great moment.

8. Josh Hamilton at the home-run derby in NY

I know we don’t like Josh Hamilton anymore, but this was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen at an All-Star game. Watching the faces of the other All-Stars, they were almost in awe of the long balls that Josh was hitting. It was so much fun to watch, and I don’t think I have ever watched a home-run derby again. Nothing can top that one.

7. Bengie Molina hits for the cycle

This was a great moment, and one that no one ever expected to happen. I never in my wildest dreams thought that Molina would ever get the triple after he had the other three hits, but I was wrong and I must say I extremely enjoyed it. Watching Molina chug around the bases for that triple was pure magic!

6. Back to back to back walk-offs against the Angels

There was something magical about this series. The Texas Rangers couldn’t seem to hold a lead, but it didn’t matter because they gave us three straight walk-offs to sweep the L.A. Angels of Anaheim. I remember by the third night, I just kind of expected them to walk-off. It was a great series, a little nerve-wracking, but great none the less.

5. Josh Hamilton’s four home-run game

Another amazing moment in Josh Hamilton history with the Texas Rangers. This was quite the night. I was not at home for this one, and I heard the third on the radio, there is nothing like an Eric Nadel call. I pulled up in my garage as Hamilton came up to bat against Darren O’Day, and I waited just to hear if he would hit a fourth one. I am glad I did!

4. Yu Darvish against the Yankees

We were all told that Yu Darvish was going to be amazing, and we all hoped that he would be. His first major league start against the Mariners had not gone so well, and we all began getting a little nervous. Then, he faced the Yankees and he was as dominate as a pitcher can be, striking out ten in 8 1/3 innings. This video is pure gold!

2. Texas Rangers sweep the Yankees in September on 2010

It was a sign of things to come in 201o, as the Texas Rangers swept the NY Yankees out of Arlington, something that they frequently had difficulty doing. There were even some really odd moments, like the great Mariano Rivera walking in the game winning run by hitting Jeff Francoeur with a pitch. It was a great series and it led to my no. 1 favorite Texas Rangers moment which is:

1. “Strike Three Called! The Rangers are Going to the World Series!!”

I still tear up to this day when I watch the video and hear the great Eric Nadel on the call. The best moment so far in the Texas Rangers franchise. Such a great day, I can still remember it like it was yesterday. I hope that one day this memory gets topped by a World Series Championship, but until that day, this will always be my number one Texas Rangers moment. Thanks for reading.