OK, maybe seeing the San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers face off in the World Series isn’t exactly a “dream” for a Mets fan. But a World Series played between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees is pretty much a Mets fan’s worst nightmare, isn’t it?
Even though the Giants used to play in the Polo Grounds, and wear the same shade of orange as the Mets, I have a hard time rooting for them — mainly because they are an NL rival. Further, I just can’t bring my self to pull for specific players on the Giants; namely, Tim Lincecum, Pat Burrell, Cody Ross, and Guillermo Mota. And I don’t find “fear the beard” to be particularly inspiring, either.
At the same time, it’s hard for me to favor a team that plays in the Adulterated League — the one that continues to experiment with the designated pinch hitter rather than engage in real baseball. But I happen to like watching some of the Rangers players (Michael Young, Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz, Jorge Cantu, Cliff Lee, Darren O’Day, Darren Oliver, and Jeff Francoer top the list), and I’m eager to see Nolan Ryan succeed — mainly because of his dedication to developing pitchers based on sound mechanics and conditioning rather than pitch counts and other inane recommendations by surgeons.
Tough call, but I’m leaning toward rooting for the Rangers.
Which team will you be rooting for, and why?
Finally, I can just watch baseball without having a strong preference for who wins and loses … I hate the Yankees and hate the Phillies …. I root as hard for them to lose as I do for the Mets to win.
I hope the umpires let them play and get it right — may the best team win without contoversey.
I’m rooting for the Rangers – DL rule notwithstanding – just because I kind of got to like them during the playoffs.
definitely the giants for me. I personally can’t stand the state of texas in general, some great people hailing there not withstanding. they giants are also the underdogs, which appeals to the mets fan in me.
I’d be happy for whoever wins. If the Giants win I get to listen to Mad Dog go crazy while at work, if they lose I get the same. The Rangers have never won anything and the thought of a team being bigger than the Cowboys in even a single calender year is tempting. I do genuinely like the Rangers’ players though, like Josh Hamilton. I’m calling it now: if the Rangers win the world series expect a Josh Hamilton movie within 5 years. Seriously, what are the Vegas odds on that?