We continue these awards going through some of the more memorable performances, milestones, and games of the 2019 season. In what became one of the most memorable seasons at Globe Life Park, and its last, there was a lot to reconcile. Here’s a look at some of those moments and end the season with the quote of the season.
Most exciting Rangers’ games of the year
Winner: July 12 (Rangers won 9-8 vs HOU)
2. April 14 (Rangers won 8-7 vs OAK)
3. September 11 (Rangers won 10-9 vs TB)
There were a lot of exciting and crazy games to choose from, but any Rangers fan would agree that a comeback victory against the Houston Astros adds some extra sugar to the sweetness. At the time, Texas took the first two of a four-game series against the heated rival Astros, who went into the All-Star break, winning seven of their last eight games. To top it off, the Rangers ambushed Astros starter Gerrit Cole for four runs and three home runs (the only start in 2019 where he allowed three home runs). Throughout the night, the Rangers came back and tied Houston four separate times and erased a four-run deficit after the seventh-inning stretch. The night ended with clutch man Danny Santana (3 for 4 with a homer and two RBI) hitting a sinking single and sending Rangers fans home happy.
Best Individual Game Performance of the Year
Winner: Mike Minor’s 7.1 Inning Shutout in the Bronx ends Yankees’ streak of 220 straight games with a run scored (September 2 at NYY)
2. Lance Lynn shuts out the Astros after the All-Star break on National TV (July 11 vs HOU)
3. Rougned Odor caps off the last night game at Globe Life Park with a Grand Slam and 6 RBIs as Rangers blast Yankees (Septmeber 28 vs NYY)
It wasn’t hard to place Mike Minor in the top three in a top performance category. The question was which start should receive that award. Ultimately, it came down to the opposition and location. The most impressive came on a rainy Labor Day afternoon in the Bronx against the first-place Yankees. The outing came more impressive considering Minor got rocked his previous two starts, both against the Angels. At one point in his outing, Minor retired fifteen of sixteen batters against an offense that averaged 5.8 runs per game in 2019. Mike Minor’s gem ended a string of 220 straight games that the Yankees scored at least one run, going back to June 30, 2018, against Boston.
Milestone of the year
Winner: Joey Gallo’s 100th career home run (May 8 at PIT)
2. Mike Minor’s 200th strikeout of 2019 (September 26 vs BOS)
3. Joey Gallo’s 1st Career Sacrifice Fly (April 21 vs HOU)
Not only did Rangers slugger Joey Gallo belt a 100th career home run, but Gallo made history on that Wednesday afternoon in Pittsburgh. Joey became the fastest player in American League history to hit 100 career home runs (377 career games), beating Mark McGwire’s previous record of 393 career games. Gallo also became the third-fastest player in MLB history behind Ryan Howard (52 games less) and Pirates great, Ralph Kiner (one less game). Those say that to this day, the baseball is still floating across the Ohio River to who knows where. There is one thing we do know; Joey Gallo is a master of the home run ball.
Fastest player in American League history to reach 100 career home runs.
Joey Gallo, with a big smile on his face: "It's pretty crazy" #TogetherWe | @Rangers pic.twitter.com/kbCq48zwmA
— FOX Sports Southwest (@FOXSportsSW) May 8, 2019
Most Memorable Player/Ballpark Ceremony
Winner: Globe Life Park Farewell (September 29 vs NYY)
2. Michael Young Ceremony (August 31 vs SEA)
3. Adrian Beltre Ceremony (June 8 vs OAK)
Let’s face it; Globe Life Park is a treasure into the memory bank of all Rangers fans. Whether you loved it or hated it, it was the staple of Texas Rangers baseball for twenty-five years. The ceremony included a walk around of season ticket holders with the Southlake band playing. Also, Rangers greats came back and walked to their respective position to later gather for a group photo. It ended with former Arlington mayor Richard Greene, taking the home plate and placing the dish to his new home, Globe Life Field. If you grew up to where this was the only home for baseball, it brought back many memories, which all will forever be cherished.
Best Rangers Motto and T-Shirt of 2019
Winner: “We’ve Got a Plane to Catch” (Lance Lynn)
2. “Ask me if I care Pete” (Mike Minor)
3. “Relievers are People Too” (Shawn Kelley)
On a Wednesday night in the Bronx, Lance Lynn and Will Little didn’t correctly see eye-to-eye. Though neither did Little and Chris Woodward as there were multiple exchanges between all three parties, the most memorable exchange came in the fifth inning after Edwin Encarnacion flew out to left field. Umpire Will Little demanded a new baseball after Calhoun and company relayed the ball back to Lynn, which seemed odd to the Rangers. According to Woody, in that exchange, Little didn’t order that for Yankees pitchers, which kept the rhythm for them going. However, what Little was doing was slowing Lynn’s pace down.
Ultimately, Lynn uttered, “We don’t have all ****ing night, we got a plane to catch.” Little couldn’t hear Lynn’s comment, so it repeated, to which Little thought Lance said we were playing together. Lance jabbed back with, “this is our game.” The exchange became a quick internet sensation and won the best quote award for the Rangers.
Lance Lynn seems a little frustrated…pic.twitter.com/hE4aWC77wM
— Roy White III (@RDubThree) September 5, 2019
The book closes on the 2019 season, and while a Ranger player didn’t receive a silver slugger or gold glove, there were a lot of decent performances and great games that fans got to experience. It was a fun season as we open the tale of the 2020 season; to the offseason, here we go.
Here’s a look at the other award types:
2019 Rangers’ Player Awards
2019 Top Rangers’ Plays
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