Opening Day sees a packed house as the Texas Rangers, the World Series champions, win
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Jonah Heim, who did not complete a play on a disputed foul tip that had given the Chicago Cubs the lead, ended the season opener for the World Series champion Texas Rangers with an RBI single in the tenth inning.
Texas won 4-3 on Thursday night, thanks to a two-out liner by Heim that made up for his error. Prior to the thrilling victory, the Rangers unfurled the team’s first World Series title banner.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy stated, “The big thing is that he put it behind him and got that big hit.”
Wyatt Langford made an unforgettable big-league debut, and the Rangers’ Adolis García and Travis Jankowski both had home runs. After Chicago had taken an early lead in the top half of the ninth inning, Jankowski launched a pinch-hit home run to tie the game.
For their first-ever Opening Day as World Series winners, the Texas Rangers made their way back to Globe Life Field on Thursday evening. The squad shocked baseball fans by defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-1 in November after defeating the Houston Astros in the 2023 American League Championship Series.
Prior to Thursday’s game, Bochy informed reporters that he had instructed the players to celebrate their win.
“Yeah, we got to get ready for the game, but this is a special time,” he replied. “Not only tonight, but when they get their rings in the next game, too. “Take it all in, as it’s quite challenging.”
Fans in North Texas are still ecstatic over the victory. Thursday afternoon, tailgaters proudly displayed the World Series Champion insignia on their hats, shirts, necklaces, and beer koozies as they gathered under tents outside Globe Life Field. A few reported arriving as early as 8 a.m. merely to secure a place on the lawn.
Laura Reta of Grapevine was tailgating for the Rangers home opener for the 15th year in a row, and it was her third year doing so with her parents. She described the World Series victory as strange for a lifelong fan.
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Reta stated, “There have been years when we haven’t had fantastic seasons.” “Yet, we see their friendship, how much they care for the fans, and we feel the same way about them.”
The Rangers are now 25-28 overall in season openers. The Rangers have faced the Cubs in their home opener twice before, with a loss to Chicago in 2019.
Rangers’ supporters are wondering if they can win the World Series once more, in addition to making a comeback this new season. Texas has experienced closeness in the past; in 2010 and 2011, the team qualified for and lost both World Series.
The New York Yankees, who won three straight titles in 1998, 1999, and 2000, were the last Major League Baseball team to win back-to-back World Series titles before the Rangers this year.
Mike Lara, an Arlington local, claimed to have won $8,000 after taking a gamble on the Rangers to win the World Series the previous season. Despite the fact that the team is without multiple pitchers, he is optimistic that they can win again.
“I think we’ll have a great path to get back where we were if our offense can just do enough to keep us where we need to be in striking distance when those pitchers come back in June or July,” Lara stated.
There was a lone tent among the Rangers fans, decorated with Chicago Cubs paraphernalia. Originally from Chicago, Marissa Lopez of Dallas claimed she and her family had arrived at the location around 9:30 a.m.
The Chicago Cubs have won three World Series, but their most recent victory—which snapped a 108-year World Series drought—was over eight years ago.
Lopez reported that she had not yet encountered animosity from Ranger’s supporters, as her husband grilled behind her while she chopped peppers and onions to top hot dogs.
“Everyone is excited about opening day,” Lopez remarked. “Enjoying the game with our family and inviting them out is the most important part.”
For the first time ever, Globe Life Field displayed the team’s 2023 World Series Championship banner next to the right field video board. The Rangers also received their Commissioner’s Trophy on the pitch.
