Relive the agony. One strike away. The 2011 Texas Rangers’ World Series title that got away
One strike. That’s how close the Texas Rangers came to winning their first World Series in franchise history against the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.
As the Rangers get ready to face off against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Globe Life Field in Arlington Friday, some fans are still scarred by the memories of Texas’ last trip to the fall classic.
“That was my worst sports moment,” said 63-year-old Ranger fan Craig Hamby before Game 4 of the American League Championship series.
“If they ever win a World Series it would help ease that pain,” he said.
It was the Rangers second trip to the World Series after losing the previous year to the San Francisco Giants who were then managed by current Texas manager Bruce Bochy.
The Rangers led the Series 3 games to 2 and had a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning when Cardinals third baseman David Freese came up to the plate.
There were two outs, and two runners on base after a double by Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols and a walk given to left fielder Lance Berkman.
Freese worked a 1-2 count against the lights-out closer Neftali Feliz, who had only given up one run in 10 1/3 innings in the postseason.
In front of a packed house of Cardinals fans hoping for a miracle, and a nail-biting Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan watching from the stands, Freese hit a line drive over the outstretched arm of Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz that tied the game.
“Cruz stole our hopes and our dreams missing that catch,” said Burleson resident Malcolm Hogan after Monday’s ALCS game 7 Rangers victory over the Houston Astros.
The Rangers had been playing their outfielders back to prevent extra base hits, but the ball still managed to get past Cruz.
The Rangers retook the lead in the top of the 10th, but the bottom of that inning bore a grim resemblance to the bottom of the ninth.
With a 2-2 count, and only needing one strike to win the series, Rangers reliever Scott Feldman gave up a single to the Cardinals’ Berkman that scored the tying run from second base.
In the 11th inning, the Rangers faced Freese again who hit a solo home run to win the game 6 and force a game 7.
Rangers manager Ron Washington assured fans the team would bounce back, but the Cardinals won the series finale 6-2 making the Rangers the first team since the 1991-1992 Atlanta Braves to lose back-to-back World Series.
“A broken heart, especially one provoked by a staggering ending, does not heal overnight,” former Star-Telegram sports columnist Gil LeBreton said shortly after the 2011 loss.
The Rangers hope to erase the sting of that memory when they face off against the Diamondbacks Friday.
