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Eight April awards for the first month of the Rangers season

Eight April awards for the first month of the Rangers season

Everyone loves awards, right? Okay, so not everyone, but in this day and age, I feel we should celebrate at any given moment. The Rangers’ April came out somewhat expected on the outside. At 11-16, Texas sits in the cellar of the AL West and oddly with the third-lowest win percentage in the American League (Minnesota and Detroit are lower). The good news is that the Rangers are only five games back of the first-place Oakland, but May becomes a road-heavy schedule for Texas. Sixteen of the club’s twenty-eight games are away from Globe Life Field, considering this club is 6-7 on the road, may not be the worst thing in the world. Yes, the Rangers in April won the same number of road games in thirteen games as they did in 2020, where they played thirty road games.

Nevertheless, I wanted to combine some accolades for the Rangers in April and continue for each month of the 2021 season. Let’s open the envelope and congratulate these eight award winners.

Player of the Month (Kyle Gibson)

The turnaround Kyle Gibson made after a rough first start is unreal. I know Chris Woodward said after Gibson’s last outing Thursday against the Red Sox that this is the guy they expected, but to allow three runs in a span of thirty-three innings is unheard of. “I don’t know what else to say,” Jose Trevino said Thursday. “This dude is doing everything, being a captain, being an ace. I can go on forever about Gibby, but he’s doing his thing.”

Game of the month (4/9 vs San Diego)

Look, guys, I want to be a positive person, but on April 9th, fans watching and attending witnessed a feat that shadowed the San Diego Padres franchise for decades. Joe Musgrove, a San Diego kid, threw a wrench as the only franchise to never throw a no-hitter. It was a special night for San Diego, and to witness it is a treasure that all baseball fans will cherish.

Play of the Month (Adolis García – 4/19)

Quote of the Month (Jose Trevino, 4/29)

Fan(s) of the Month (Anaheim lady – 4/21 and Sox fan on field – 4/23)

Honestly, guys, this was the HARDEST category to choose from. Due to limited capacities, road game crowds are so much more fun to listen to. That said, I had to go with two winners. After Angels’ pitcher Junior Guerra balked the lady in Anaheim, who screamed “Oh my god!” and “You’re a professional athlete!” was the best, despite numerous Joey Gallo heckling. We had the guy asking Nick Solak how his foot is at Tropicana Field and the fan imitating Rays’ third base coach, Rodney Linares, sending the runner home.

The other winner HAS to be the guy in Chicago running onto the field and forcing a security guard to face plant into the left-field pole. He scaled the wall like a mini-Spiderman, and the rest was history. He’s probably still at Cook County jail to this day pondering, “I should have climbed the foul pole.” To quote the great Kevin Harlan, “Pull up your pants, take off your bra and be a man!”

Best Facial Expression of the Month (Mike Zunino – 4/14)

How Mike Zunino’s facial expression isn’t a meme yet, is beyond me.

Worst Replay Call of the Month (4/14)

I have a strong feeling this category monthly will have some stiff competition. I’m hoping I have to search heavily for nominees, but maybe I’ll just be dreaming. I’m still not convinced that Adolis Garcia has five home runs on the season instead of six. While the ball did hit the top of the yellow line, the fact that Garcia was overturned as “out” and some of the other replays that are “inconclusive” makes baseball fans question every review. I mean EVERY review. Maybe the umpires in Chelsea thought it would be an MLB initiation to prevent Garcia’s first home run as an inside-the-parker, or perhaps they just hate fun.

Best Cowboy Hat look of the month (Kohei Arihara – 4/14)

It’s a tradition that Rangers fans are embracing and running with, and well, it’s fun. It makes fans guess who the recipient is, and everyone has their style. Despite Jose Trevino having an edge because he has two nominees, Kohei Arihara barely takes the award. I mean, when Kyle Gibson makes a t-shirt that says “I came from Japan to wear this hat,” it automatically wins, right? I feel like on the outside, Kohei is a mild-mannered and even-keeled individual, but in the clubhouse, he’s a barrel of fun.

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Credentialed Media Staff Writer covering the Texas Rangers for Dallas Sports Fanatic | 2014 University of North Texas graduate with a Bachelor's in Radio, Television, and Film. I talk about things. Find me on the tweeter @aplinckTX

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