Texas Rangers Top 40 Countdown

Texas Rangers Top 40 Countdown

Logos will be in order followed by the years in use.

1971-1980

40 - Benji Molina hits for a cycle. July 10, 2010

39 - Bill Stein's 7 consecutive pinch hits.
       May 25, 1981 

38 - Rafael Palmeiro's HR beats Roger Clemens
       and Red Sox. April 30, 1989

37 - Toby Harrah & Bump Wills hit back-
       2-back in-the-park HR. August 22, 1977

36 - Gary Matthews Jr.'s incredible catch.
       July 1, 2006

35 - Julio Franco wins All-Star Game MVP.
       July 10, 1990

34 - Rangers score 30 runs at Baltimore.
       August 22, 2007

33 - Larry Parrish beats Yankees with 3 HR's.
       April 29, 1985

32 - Brad Corbett becomes Rangers first local
       owner. May 29, 1974

31 - Adrian Beltre's 3 HRs in ALDS Game 4 beats
       Rays. October 4, 2011

1981-1983

30 - Hank Blalock's HR wins the All- Star game
       for the American League. July 15, 2003

29 - Nolan Ryan Group wins ownership of Rangers
       in auction.  August 5, 2010

28 - Josh Hamilton hits 28 HRs in first round of
       Home Run Derby. July 16, 2008

27 - Michael Young wins All-Star MVP in
       Pittsburgh.  July 11, 2006

26 - Rangers trade for Josh Hamilton. December 21,
       2007

25 - Billy Martin leads team to 2nd place finish in
       A.L. West. 1974

24 - Rangers win 94 games under Billy Hunter. 1977

23 - Richie Zisk hits walk-off HR on opening day vs.
       Yankees. April 8, 1978

22 - Geno Petralli & Ruben Sierra HR's beat
       Roger Clemens and Red Sox. August 25, 1986

21 - Nolan Ryan's 6th No-Hitter. June 11, 1990

1984-1993

20 - George Bush investment team buys Rangers.
       March 17, 1989

19 - Mark Teixeira traded for Neftali Feliz, Elvis
       Andrus, Matt Harrison and Jared
       Saltalamacchia. July 31, 2007

18 - Rangers beat Yankees in first-ever play-off
       game. October 1, 1996

17 - Cliff Lee beats Rays in game 5 of ALDS.
       October 12, 2010

16 - Derek Holland Gem vs. St. Luis Cardinals
       in game 4 of World Series. October 12, 2010

15 - Opening of the Ballpark in Arlington.
       April 11, 1994

14 - Announcement made to build new ballpark.
       October 24, 1990

13 - David Clyde (18 ys old) makes Major League
       debut. June 27, 1973

12 - Nolan Ryan's 5,000th strike out.
       August 22, 1989

11 - Nolan Ryan's 7th No-Hitter. May 1, 1991

1994-1997

10 - Rangers first-ever game in Arlington.
       April 21, 1972

 9 - Rangers first road win in the World Series.
      October 20, 2011

 8 - Rangers beat St. Luis Cardinals to take a
      3-2 lead in World Series.  October 24, 2011

7 - Josh Hamilton hits 4 HR's at Baltimore
     Orioles. May 8, 2012

 6 - First World Series game played in Arlington.
      October 30, 2010

1998-2002

 5 - Kenny Rogers Perfect Game. July 28, 1994

 4 - Nelson Cruz Walk-Off Grand Slam beats
      Detroit Tigers. October 10, 2011

 3 - Mayer Tom Vandergriff announces Rangers
      coming to Arlington. September 23, 1971

 2 - Rangers beat Detroit Tigers to win 2nd Pennant.
      October 15, 2011

 1 - Rangers beat Yankees to win 1st Pennant.
      October 22, 2010

2003-Present

Two Nuts

On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, 

Old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence.

One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts 

And sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began

Dividing the nuts.  "One for me, 

One for you.  One for me," said one boy.

Several dropped and rolled down toward

The fence.  Another boy came riding along the

Road on his bicycle.

As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery.

He slowed down to investigate. Sure enough, he heard,

"One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me."

He just knew what it was.

He jumped back on his bike and rode  off.

Just around the bend he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along.

"Come here quick," said the boy, "you won't believe what I heard!

Satan and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls."

The man said, "Beat it kid, can't you see it's hard for me to walk."

When the boy insisted though, the man hobbled to the cemetery.

Standing by the fence they heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me..."

The old man whispered, "Boy, you've been tellin' the truth. Let's see if we can see the Lord."

Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything.

The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence

Tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord.

At last they heard, "One for you, one for me. That's all.

Now let's go get those nuts by the fence and we'll be done."

They say the old man made it back to town

a full 5 minutes ahead of the boy on the bike.

Jack Of All Trades... Master Of One

My first job was working in an Orange Factory,

But I got canned. Couldn't concentrate.

Then I worked in the woods as a Lumberjack,

But just couldn't hack it,

So they gave me the axe.

After that, I tried being a Tailor,

But wasn't suited for it -- 

Mainly because it was a sew-sew job.

Next, I tried working in a Muffler Factory,

But it was too exhausting.

Then, tried being a Chef,

Figured it would add a little spice to my life,

But just didn't have the thyme.

Next, I attempted being a Deli Worker,

But any way I sliced it...

Couldn't cut the mustard.

My best job was a Musician,

But eventually found I wasn't noteworthy.

I studied a long time to become a Doctor,

But didn't have any patience.

Next, was a job in a Shoe Factory,

Tried hard but just didn't fit in.

I became a Professional Fisherman,

But discovered I couldn't live on my net income.

Managed to get a good job working for a 

Pool Maintenance Company,

But the work was just too draining.

So then I got a job in a Workout Center,

But the said I wasn't fit for the job.

After many years of trying to find steady work,

I finally got a job as a Historian

Until I realized there was no future in it.

My last job was working in Starbucks,

But had to quit because it was the same old grind.

So, I tried RETIREMENT

And I found I'm perfect for the job!

Crabby Old Man

 

 

When an old man died in the geriatric ward 

of a nursing home in GRASS VALLEY, CA.

It was believed that he had nothing left of any

value.

 

Later, when the nurses were going through

his meager possessions, they found this poem.

Its quality and content so impressed the staff

that copies were made and distributed to every

 nurse in the home.

 

One nurse took her copy to Missouri.

 

The old man's sole bequest to posterity has

since appeared in the Christmas edition of

The News Magazine of the St. Louis Association

for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also

been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.

 

And this little old man, with nothing left to give to 

the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous'

poem winging across the Internet.

 

 

Crabby Old Man...

 

What do you see nurses?

What do you see?

What are you thinking

When you're looking at me?

A crabby old man

Not very wise,

Uncertain of habit

With faraway eyes?

 

Who dribbles his food

And makes no reply.

When you say in a loud voice

'I do wish you'd try!'

Who seems not to notice

The things that you do.

And forever is losing

A sock or shoe?

 

Who, resisting or not

Lets you do as you will,

With bathing and feeding

The long day to fill?

Is that what you're thinking?

Is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, nurse

You're not looking at me.

 

I'll tell you who I am.

As I sit here so still,

As I do at your bidding,

As I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of Ten

With a father and mother,

Brothers and sisters

Who love one another.

 

A young boy of Sixteen

With wings on his feet.

Dreaming that soon now

A lover he'll meet.

A groom soon at Twenty

My heart gives a leap.

Remembering, the vows

That I promised to keep.

 

At Twenty-Five, now

I have young of my own.

Who need me to guide

And a secure happy home.

A man of Thirty

My young now grown fast,

Bound to each other

With ties that should last.

 

At Forty, my young sons

Have grown and are gone,

But my woman's beside me

To see I don't mourn.

At Fifty, once more,

Babies play 'round my knee,

Again, we know children

My loved one and me.

 

Dark days are upon me

My wife is now dead.

I look at the future

Shudder with dread.

For my young are all rearing

Young of their own.

And I think of the years

And the love that I've known.

 

I'm now an old man

And nature is cruel.

Tis jest to make old age

Look like a fool.

The body, it crumbles

Grace and vigor, depart.

There is now a stone

Where I once had a heart.

 

But inside this old carcass

A young guy still dwells,

And now and again

My battered heart swells.

I remember the joys

I remember the pain.

And I'm loving and living

Life over again.

 

I think of the years, all too few

Gone too fast.

And accept the stark fact

That nothing can last.

So open your eyes, people

Open and see.

Not a crabby old man

Look closer...

See ME!!

 

 

Remember this poem when you next meet an older

person who you might brush aside, Without looking 

at the young soul within.

 

We will ALL, one day, be there, too!

 

 

The best and most beautiful things of this world 

can't be seen or touched.  They must be felt by

the heart

Daddy's Poem...

Her hair was up in a ponytail, Her favorite dress tied with a bow. Today was Daddy's Day at school, And she couldn't wait to go.

But her mommy tried to tell her, That she probably should stay home ; Why the kids might not understand, If she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid; She knew just what to say. What to tell her classmates Of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried, For her to face this day alone. And that was why, once again, She tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little girl went to school , Eager to tell them all. About a dad she never sees, a dad Who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall in Back, for everyone to meet. Children squirming impatiently, Anxious in their seat.

One by one the teacher called On a student from the class. To introduce their daddy, As seconds slowly passed.

At last the teacher called her name, Every child turned to stare. Each of them was searching, A man who wasn't there.

"Where's her daddy at?" She heard a boy call out. "She probably doesn't have one," Another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back, She heard a daddy say, "Looks like another deadbeat dad, Too busy to waste his day."

The words did not offend her, As she smiled up at her Mom. And looked back at her teacher, who Told her to go on.

And with hands behind her back, Slowly she began to speak. And out from the mouth of a child, Came words incredibly unique.

"My Daddy couldn't be here, Because he lives so far away. But I know he wishes he could be, Since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet him, I wanted you to know All about my daddy, And how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories, He taught me to ride my bike; He surprised me with pink roses, And taught me to fly a kite.

We used to share fudge sundaes, And ice cream in a cone. And though you cannot see him. I'm not standing here alone.

'Cause my daddy's always with me, Even though we are apart; I know because he told me, He'll forever be in my heart"

With that, her little hand reached up, And lay across her chest. Feeling her own heartbeat, Beneath her favorite dress.

And from somewhere there in the crowd of dads, her mother stood in tears. Proudly watching her daughter, Who was wise beyond her years.

For she stood up for the love Of a man not in her life. Doing what was best for her, Doing what was a right.

And when she dropped her hand back Down, staring straight into the crowd. She finished with a voice so soft, But its message clear and loud.

"I love my daddy very much, he's my shining star. And if he could, he'd be here, But heaven's just too far.

You see he is an American Soldier And he died just this past year,, When a roadside bomb hit his convoy And taught Americans to fear.

But sometimes when I close my eyes, it's like he never went away." And then she closed her eyes, And saw him there that day.

And to her mother's amazement, She witnessed with surprise, A room full of daddies and children, All starting to close their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them; Who knows what they felt inside. Perhaps for merely a second, They saw him at her side.

"I know you're with me Daddy," To the silence she called out. And what happened next made believers, Of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it, For each of their eyes had been closed. But there on the desk beside her, Was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for A moment, by the love of her shining star. And given the gift of believing, That heaven is never too far.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.

Send this to the people you'll never forget and remember to send it also to the person that sent it to you.

It's a short message to let them know that you'll never forget them.

If you don't send it to anyone, it means you're in a hurry and that you've forgotten your friends.

Take the time...to live and love.

Until eternity..

God Bless

There must be many children in the same boat as this little girl, thanks to our servicemen and their families for the sacrifice they are making to keep our country Free.

The ULTIMATE sacrifice is being left behind.

Don't forget them.

...ONLY YOU...

A lot of people know the surface side of me,

the side they see while I'm working

or just going through the day...

But there's another side of me ~ an inside ~

that people never see.

It's a part that's full of a thousand thoughts,

a part that embraces love and cherishes friendship,

a part that understands without need for words,

a part that has yearnings and desires and prayers.

The inside of me has so many moods

that the outside never shows.

For once in my life, though...

I trust someone implicitly

and I care about someone in a totally

   understanding way.

I feel like it's ok to let that someone in...

to let them see me emotionally

and physically

as naturally and as naked as I can be.

I have given my self to you

and told you things that 

I've never told another soul.

You are the one person who has seen me

trembling and as fearful as an injured bird,

you are the one person I always want

to take with me when I feel

exhilarated and my spirits are soaring.

I trust you with my secrets,

and you now know that

     you can trust me with yours.

This sharing... this special sharing...

is one of the nicest dimensions

my life has ever known.  

~Jamie Delere


This was in a card that my BESTEST FRIEND sent me.  I am so thankful that I have a wonderful friend like her.  Everyone in the world needs a Friend like her.  I love and miss my BESTEST FRIEND, Jill!!!

Adele - Rolling In The Deep"

There's a fire starting in my heart
Reaching a fever pitch and it's bringing me out the dark
Finally, I can see you crystal clear
Go ahead and sell me out and I'll lay your ship bare

See how I'll leave with every piece of you
Don't underestimate the things that I will do
There's a fire starting in my heart
Reaching a fever pitch and it's bring me out the dark

The scars of your love remind me of us
They keep me thinking that we almost had it all
The scars of your love, they leave me breathless
I can't help feeling

We could have had it all
(You're gonna wish you never had met me)
Rolling in the deep
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
You had my heart inside of your hands
(You're gonna wish you never had met me)
And you played it to the beat
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

Baby, I have no story to be told
But I've heard one on you and I'm gonna make your head burn
Think of me in the depths of your despair
Make a home down there as mine sure won't be shared

The scars of your love remind me of us
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
They keep me thinking that we almost had it all
(You're gonna wish you never had met me)
The scars of your love, they leave me breathless
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
I can't help feeling

We could have had it all
(You're gonna wish you never had met me)
Rolling in the deep
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
You had my heart inside of your hands
(You're gonna wish you never had met me)
And you played it to the beat
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

Could have had it all
Rolling in the deep
You had my heart inside of your hands
But you played it with a beating

Throw your soul through every open door
Count your blessings to find what you look for
Turn my sorrow into treasured gold
You'll pay me back in kind and reap just what you've sown

We could have had it all
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
We could have had it all
(You're gonna wish you never had met me)
It all, it all, it all
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

We could have had it all
(You're gonna wish you never had met me)
Rolling in the deep
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
You had my heart inside of your hands
(You're gonna wish you never had met me)
And you played it to the beat
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

We could have had it all
(You're gonna wish you never had met me)
Rolling in the deep
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
You had my heart inside of your hands
(You're gonna wish you never had met me)

But you played it
You played it
You played it

GOD BLESS FRIENDS

GOD BLESS FRIENDS

God bless the friend who overlooks

The many faults in me,

Who loves me for myself

And for the things that I can be,

Whose tender heart

and thoughtful ways

Add so much pleasure to my days.

God bless the friend

who sees my needs

And reaches out a hand,

Who lifts me up, who prays for me

And helps me understand,

Who shares my problems,

come what may,

Who's always there from day to day.

God bless the friend whose cheerful ways

Can cause the sun to shine,

Who helps me see life's goodness

And the blessings that are mine--

That friendship is a special part

Of all that's precious

to my heart.

-Amanda Bradley

"In God We Still Trust"

"In God We Still Trust"

By Diamond Rio

You place your hand on His Bible, when you swear to tell the Truth
His name is on our greatest Monuments, and all our money too,
And when we Pledge allegiance, there's no doubt where we stand,
There is no separation, we're one Nation under Him.

Chorus:
In God We Still Trust
Here in America
He's the one we turn to every time
The goin' gets rough
He is the source of all our Strength
The One who watches over us
Here in America
In God We Still Trust

Now there are those among us, who want to push Him out,
And erase His name from everything, this country's all about,
From the Schoolhouse to the Courthouse, they're Silencing His Word,
Now it's time for all Believers, to make our Voices heard.

In God We Still Trust,
Here in America
He's the one we turn to every time
The goin' gets rough
He is the source of all our Strength
The One who watches over us
Here in America
In God We Still Trust

Here in America
Here in America
Here in America,

In God We Still Trust
Here in America,

In God We Still Trust
Here in America

The Story of Edith Burns

An Inspirational Christian Easter Story

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas. She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way:

"Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.

Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying, My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"

Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you believe about Easter?"

Beverly said, "Well, it's all about egg hunts, going to church, and dressing up."

Edith kept pressing her about the real meaning of Easter, and finally led her to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Dr. Phillips said, "Beverly, don't call Edith into the office quite yet. I believe there is another delivery taking place in the waiting room.

After being called back in the doctor's office, Edith sat down and when she took a look at the doctor she said, "Dr. Will, why are you so sad? Are you reading your Bible? Are you praying?"

Dr. Phillips said gently, "Edith, I'm the doctor and you're the patient." With a heavy heart he said, "Your lab report came back and it says you have cancer, and Edith, you're not going to live very long."

Edith said, "Why Will Phillips, shame on you. Why are you so sad? Do you think God makes mistakes? You have just told me I'm going to see my precious Lord Jesus, my husband, and my friends. You have just told me that I am going to celebrate Easter forever, and here you are having difficulty giving me my ticket!"

Dr. Phillips thought to himself, "What a magnificent woman this Edith Burns is!" Edith continued coming to Dr. Phillips. Christmas came and the office was closed through January 3rd. On the day the office opened, Edith did not show up. Later that afternoon, Edith called Dr. Phillips and said she would have to be moving her story to the hospital and said, "Will, I'm very near home, so would you make sure that they put women in here next to me in my room who need to know about Easter."

Well, they did just that and women began to come in and share that room with Edith. Many women were saved. Everybody on that floor from staff to patients were so excited about Edith, that they started calling her Edith Easter; that is everyone except Phyllis Cross, the head nurse.

Phyllis made it plain that she wanted nothing to do with Edith because she was a "religious nut". She had been a nurse in an army hospital. She had seen it all and heard it all. She was the original G.I. Jane. She had been married three times, she was hard, cold, and did everything by the book.

One morning the two nurses who were to attend to Edith were sick. Edith had the flu and Phyllis Cross had to go in and give her a shot. When she walked in, Edith had a big smile on her face and said, "Phyllis, God loves you and I love you, and I have been praying for you."

Phyllis Cross said, "Well, you can quit praying for me, it won't work. I'm not interested." Edith said, "Well, I will pray and I have asked God not to let me go home until you come into the family."

Phyllis Cross said, "Then you will never die because that will never happen," and curtly walked out of the room.

Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into the room and Edith would say, "God loves you Phyllis and I love you, and I'm praying for you." One day Phyllis Cross said she was literally drawn to Edith's room like a magnet would draw iron. She sat down on the bed and Edith said, "I'm so glad you have come, because God told me that today is your special day."

Phyllis Cross said, "Edith, you have asked everybody here the question, 'Do you believe in Easter?' but you have never asked me."

Edith said, "Phyllis, I wanted to many times, but God told me to wait until you asked, and now that you have asked..."

Edith Burns took her Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the Easter Story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edith said, "Phyllis, do you believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is alive and that He wants to live in your heart?" Phyllis Cross said, "Oh I want to believe that with all of my heart, and I do want Jesus in my life." Right there, Phyllis Cross prayed and invited Jesus Christ into her heart. For the first time, Phyllis Cross did not walk out of a hospital room, she was carried out on the wings of angels.

Two days later, Phyllis Cross came in and Edith said, "Do you know what day it is?" Phyllis Cross said, "Why Edith, it's Good Friday." Edith said, "Oh, no, for you every day is Easter. Happy Easter Phyllis!"

Two days later, on Easter Sunday, Phyllis Cross came into work, did some of her duties and then went down to the flower shop and got some Easter lilies because she wanted to go up to see Edith and give her some Easter lilies and wish her a Happy Easter. When she walked into Edith's room, Edith was in bed. That big black Bible was on her lap. Her hands were in that Bible. There was a sweet smile on her face.

When Phyllis Cross went to pick up Edith's hand, she realized Edith was dead. Her left hand was on John 14: "In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." Her right hand was on Revelation 21:4, " And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Phyllis Cross took one look at that dead body, and then lifted her face toward heaven, and with tears streaming down her cheeks, said, "Happy Easter, Edith - Happy Easter!"

Phyllis Cross left Edith's body, walked out of the room, and over to a table where two student nurses were sitting. She said, "My name is Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"

- Author Unknown