Before we can actually move to the American League Championship Series, we have to go through the
American League Division Series. This is two best of five series to determine who the participating teams
will be in the Championship Series. Here's how it works: The three division winners, the winning team from the American League East, the winning team from the American League Central, the winning team from the American League West, and a "wild card" team(the team with the best record among the teams not winning their division)played in two series that began on October 6th and concluded on October 12th.
Under MLB's playoff rules, no two teams from the same division were matched up in the Division Series, regardless of their records supporting such a matchup. The matchups consisted of the Tampa Bay Rays as the American League Eastern Division Champions with a win-loss record of 96-66, and the Texas Rangers as the American League Western Division Champions, with a win-loss record of 90-72. The Rangers won the series 3-2, thereby advancing them to the American League Championship Series. The other matchup
consisted of the Minnesota Twins as the American League Central Division Champs with a win-loss record of 94-68, and the New York Yankees as the wild card qualifier with a win-loss record of 95-67. The Yankees won the Division Series 3-0. The 2010 season was the second consecutive season for the Twins
and the Yankees, the fourth season overall for both teams to meet in the ALDS; the Yankees were victorious in all their previous series, 3-1 in 2003 and 2004, and 3-0 in 2009.
The Tampa Bay Rays and the Texas Rangers had never previously met in post-season play. Tampa Bay
made only its second appearance in franchise history after 2008. It was the Rangers' fourth post-season appearance, but their first since 1999. The Rangers' win was their first post-season win in franchise history; the series also came the first MLB win in the post-season where the visiting team won every game.
On the other side of the coin, so to speak, the New York Yankees extended their dominance in the post-season over the Twins with four consecutive series wins.
With the win by the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers, the teams were in place for the
American League Championship Series. On October 22nd, playing at Arlington Stadium Texas, with a
3 games to 2 lead over the New York Yankees, the Rangers wrote another page in their franchise history.
They defeated the New York Yankees in game six of the series by a final score of 6-1. Josh Hamilton was named as the Most Valuable Player in the Championship Series. As a show of team support, and what I
believe to be the mark of a First Class team, knowing of Josh Hamilton's struggles with substance abuse, his teammates chose to celebrate both the Division Series win and the Championship Series win with
softdrinks. It was not until after Josh Hamilton left the field after the victory in the Division Series and
the Championship Series that his teammates began their celebrations with champagne.
The move by the Texas Rangers to use Ginger Ale as a way to celebrate versus champagne was one of the first class acts of any team I have seen in a long time. In a day where sports teams and individuals from those teams are very selfish, the Rangers made a statement to the world that they treasure the health and well-being of their star versus the happiness of the team. You don't see that too often and for that reason Ron Washington and the Texas Rangers have my full support during the World Series.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed watching the Rangers defeat the Rays and Yankees. It was also fitting that Alex Rodriguez struck out to end Game 6 when the Rangers clinched a spot in the World Series. As a Reds fan, it hurts me to know we traded the American League Championships Series MVP in Josh Hamilton away a few years ago. However, I enjoy watching him play and he will remain one of my favorite players. It was very classy of the Rangers organization to celebrate with Ginger Ale instead of Champaign since Hamilton is a recovering addict. I will be rooting hard for the Rangers to win their first ever World Series. Great post Dave, it was very informative.
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