Monday Newsletter time: Texas Rangers bow out of 2021 season with 102nd loss and a shortage of fun
Silver linings are difficult to find in a quick look back at one of the worst seasons in club history.
So long, Texas Rangers 2021 baseball season. I’d say it was fun, but it wasn’t.
There were moments that were fun, like each throw made by Joey Gallo and Adolis Garcia. Garcia’s breakthrough in April and May was a delight. I witnessed the first two no-hitters as a beat writer, though those weren’t fun moments for the Rangers.
Launching the Texas Rangers Newsletter and Texas Rangers Baseball Podcast has turned out to be fun, and Miss Wanda gave me her pimento cheese recipe. But, again, probably not fun for the Rangers.
They lost Sunday for the 102nd time, second-most in club history, and posted the third-worst winning percentage in club history. For their efforts, they will select third overall in the 2022 MLB Draft.
There’s a silver lining, for those looking for one.
Garcia, Taylor Hearn, Joe Barlow, Dane Dunning and Andy Ibanez qualify as silver linings. So do Josh Jung, Cole Winn, Dustin Harris, Cole Ragans and the selection of Jack Leiter.
The Rangers did well to get through the season without a rash of significant injuries, either in the majors or minors.
The rest is to be dissected over the next few weeks, which the Newsletter will do. It might just be in newsletter form, but there will definitely be longer stand-alone stories on what and who went right and wrong and where the Rangers go from here.
Yes, you should subscribing for $5.99 a month or $60 a year so that you don’t miss out on all the news during what should be a very busy offseason.
Bush returns
The Rangers closed out the season by making a roster move on the last day, activating right-hander Matt Bush from the 60-day injured list.
He hadn’t pitched since April 7 because of a strained flexor tendon, and he probably didn’t need to be activated. The Rangers, though, honored his commitment to the rehab process and for the loyalty he’s shown the organization that took a chance on him following more than three years in prison for a drunk-driving accident.
Bush tossed a perfect sixth inning in what could be his final appearance with the Rangers. He said he is not going to retire and can’t wait until offseason workouts begin in November at Globe Life Field.
“Whatever goes goes,” Bush said. “I haven’t talked to the team other than trying to bounce back from this injury.”
Bush will turn 36 in February. He became a father before spring training.
Most significant, and unfortunate, is that he has been unable to remain healthy since his first two seasons in 2016 and 2017. He has undergone Tommy John surgery twice and had another elbow surgery in between.
“He’s fought to get back, and I hope he continues to want to pitch,” Woodward said. “If this happens to be his last outing, we feel that’s really important to get him back out on that mound at least one more time.”
The Rangers optioned rookie right-hander Glenn Otto to Triple A to create a spot on the active roster and designated left-hander Wes Benjamin for assignment to open up a spot on the 40-man roster.
One person who will return for 2022 is broadcast Tom Grieve. The former Rangers player and executive announced during the game broadcast that next season will be his 55th and final with the Rangers. Twenty-eight of those have been as a color analyst.
Grieve, who at 73 is in better shape than 99% of all living humans, is a member of the Rangers Hall of Fame.
ICYMI …
Here’s the latest from the Texas Rangers Newsletter for your review in case you missed it. Good stuff.
The Sunday Read: Addressing the 2021 weaknesses.
Friday on the Farm: Instructs time.
Texas Rangers Baseball Podcast: T.R. Sullivan joins the show.
T.R.’s Memoirs: How the Rangers arrived at John Hart.
More changes in the Rangers’ front office.
Doggy video!
Jumping into the offseason like this pup, just not quite as well. Enjoy. See you Tuesday.
