The Texas Rangers proudly displayed their World Series championship banner for the first time in franchise history at their season opener on Thursday night against the Chicago Cubs. After 52 seasons in Texas and 63 overall as a franchise, the Rangers secured their first championship title, finally clinching their place among Major League Baseball’s elite teams.
Manager Bruce Bochy and pitcher Josh Sborz brought the Commissioner’s Trophy to home plate, having recorded the final out in the clinching Game 5 against the Arizona Diamondbacks in November. Bochy thanked the fans for their tremendous support and mentioned that championship rings would be presented before the series’ second game on Saturday night.
Pitcher Max Scherzer, who was on the Washington Nationals’ championship team in 2019, expressed his excitement about celebrating the win with fans after pandemic restrictions prevented a traditional ceremony in 2020. He recalled their ring ceremony being done via Zoom and shared that he was looking forward to soaking in the moment with the fans this time around. Cubs manager Craig Counsell, who scored the run that gave the Florida Marlins the 1997 World Series crown, admitted to feeling envious watching the ceremony from the opposing dugout. This honest sentiment reflects