ARLINGTON, Texas – About 30 minutes before the first pitch of their home opener against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, highlights of the Texas Rangers’ run to the 2023 playoffs were broadcast on the video board at Globe Life Field . Fans showed up in droves well before the game started, and a packed ballpark roared as they relived Corey Seager hitting one of his six postseason home runs.
As the reel wrapped, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy emerged from the dugout, beginning a brief ceremony to unveil the franchise’s first World Series championship banner.
Because as short and sweet as the banner unveiling ceremony was, you’d think they were adhering to the old axiom “act like you’ve been there before.” The problem is that they do not have never been here before. After winning the first World Series since the franchise moved from Washington to Texas 53 years ago, this was brand new territory for the Rangers and their fans.
It’s a landmark day in Rangers history. pic.twitter.com/Wpebn7F4vf
– Texas Rangers (@Rangers) March 28, 2024
The ceremony began with Josh Sborz, who threw the final pitch that won the series last fall, carrying the commissioner’s trophy to a black podium set up at home plate. He was accompanied by Bochy, who was given a microphone to address a packed room.
“Thank you,” Bochy began, and then between the noisy crowd and the cavernous acoustics of the ballpark’s echo chambers, the rest of his speech was almost unintelligible. The remarks lasted 31 seconds — Bochy has been here before, winning three titles with the San Francisco Giants between 2010 and 2014.
Of the 10 banners hanging from the rafters of Globe Life Field, not one was for a World Series championship. That would change soon. Bochy concludes his speech. Then it was time for the five-second countdown, and the crowd thundered as the 20-by-30-foot banner came down from the ceiling in right field, and again when the stuck corner was released.
After that, it was standard opening day fare. Team introductions – the visiting Cubs first, forcing them to stand while the entire Rangers team, coaching staff and staff were introduced. The biggest cheers were for the guys you’d expect: Marcus Semien, Seager, Adolis García, Nathan Eovaldi and rookies Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford.
Then it was time to play ball. The Rangers have never been here before, but the journey back is underway.
To learn more about opening day, visit Athleticism‘s live blog for scores, highlights and more.
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(Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images)