Ladies and Genteleman, Your First Place Texas Rangers

76.5 wins. That was the Vegas Over/Under for the 2015 Texas Rangers. Guess who took the under? This guy.

I know, I know. I’m a terrible fan. And I’ll tell you why.

I picked a Calderon-Mayo Mavericks team to make playoff noise. When it comes to sports,I get a little carried away. Perhaps a snickers. A celebration snickers because…

THE 2015 TEXAS RANGERS ARE IN FIRST PLACE!

Less than half of a one percent chance at winning the division is quite the bold call for a team five games under .500, but that July 28th end date was a 21-5 shellacking at home…at the hands of the New York Yankees. I am not a mathematician, but that seems decidedly liberal to put such a darn low number on a team’s playoff chances.

Yet, here we are.

Mike Napoli played left field two days ago. Journeymen Chris Gimenez and Bobby Wilson had been filling in at catcher for Robinson Chirinos, who got hurt. His backup, Carlos Corporan got hurt. Josh Hamilton is hurt. Mitch Moreland is hurting. Adrian Beltre is probably still playing hurt. Did I mention that Mike Napoli, knees shot to hell, played outfield?

More from Texas Rangers News

• Early 2023 MLB mock draft has Texas Rangers selecting an Ohtani-lite
• 3 Texas Rangers outfield trade targets not named Bryan Reynolds
• Did Jacob deGrom really mean what he said at his Texas Rangers press conference?
• Martin Perez accepting the qualifying offer looking like solid deal for the Rangers
• 4 outfielders the Texas Rangers can still pursue this winter

Derek Holland missed over half a season. Martin Perez missed over three months. Jurickson Profar won’t play for the Rangers this year. Leonys Martin has given the 2015 club nothing. 2013 waiver claim Shawn Tolleson is the closer (and 32/34 in save opportunities).

Oh yeah, Yu Darvish.

Remember Wandy Rodriguez? Ross Detwiler? Jake Smolinski? Logan Verrett?! NEFTALI FELIZ?

Remember Rougned Odor being demoted to AAA? Me neither! Forget it all, folks, somehow it’s happened.

Upon being hired as the new Texas Rangers Manager, Jeff Bannister quickly coined a polarizing (for good and corny reasons) phrase. #NeverEverQuit.

It seemed a bit silly at the time, the Rangers were poised for a rebuilding year with bad contracts like Elvis Andrus, Shin-Soo Choo and some big question marks in the form of Prince Fielder, Matt Harrison and whatever the heck was to be expected from that bullpen. But here we are in September. September 15, and the Rangers have officially made the hunted the hunter, dethroning the young Houston Astros of first place.

As I tweeted last night, tomorrow is even more important than today. That tomorrow has since become today, today yesterday and I’m awfully giddy to have confused you.

In his post game interview, Jeff Bannister said something that’s been said in Dallas by a big sports personality before, and it sent chills through my spine that didn’t go away until I finally gave in to sleep at 4 AM.

American League Cy Young favorite Dallas Keuchel and Martin Perez square off tonight at 7:05 in another game that sees first place in the A.L. West up for grabs. Wear Red, See Red, Go Rangers. Take it away, Coach.

#ThatsWhyYouPlayTheGames 

Next: Rangers Take Sole Possession of First Place