Before their first game of the season against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday night, the Texas Rangers displayed a World Series championship banner for the very first time in their history.
The banner was revealed from high above the right field at Globe Life Field. Just before that, manager Bruce Bochy and pitcher Josh Sborz brought the Commissioner’s Trophy to home plate. Sborz was the one who made the final out in Game 5 against the Arizona Diamondbacks in November, securing the win.
Bochy expressed gratitude to the fans for their incredible support. The team will receive their championship rings before the second game of the series on Saturday night.
Bochy, who has managed three World Series-winning teams with the San Francisco Giants, advised players to cherish the moment. Winning a championship is a rare and difficult achievement.
The Rangers achieved their first championship in their 52nd season in Texas and 63rd for the franchise. They had previously lost in the World Series twice, in 2010 and 2011.
Max Scherzer, a Rangers’ pitcher who was part of the Washington Nationals’ championship team in 2019, missed out on celebrating with fans due to pandemic restrictions in 2020. He’s looking forward to enjoying the moment with fans this time.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell, who won the World Series with the Florida Marlins in 1997, admitted to feeling envious while watching the ceremony from the opposing dugout.
