A shutout spun against the Rockies is usually enough to be the storyline. Especially at Coors Field. And definitely when it’s started by a pitcher with a surgically re-sculpted spine.
But on this night it wasn’t about Matt Harrison or the Rangers’ 9-0 victory. This historic night belonged to the guy who manager Jeff Banister called out a week ago for dogging it in the outfield – Shin-Soo Choo.
The Rangers still haven’t won a World Series. But they have a knack for leading the planet in hitting for the cycle.
Choo capped his impressive performance with a line-drive triple to center field in the 9th inning, allowing him to become the eighth Ranger to hit for the cycle. He doubled in the 2nd, homered in the 4th and singled in the 5th. He also joined the Red Sox’ Brock Holt as the only other hitter to achieve the feat this season.
There’s something about individual accomplishments and the Rangers. Choo’s cycle gives them eight in their history, including a league-high five since ’09. In fact, since that time the Rangers have two more cycles than any other team – three each by the Rockies and Diamondbacks. By contrast, the Rangers have five no-hitters.
As unique and entertaining as it was, Choo’s night doesn’t top what we saw in Boston back in 2012. Still can’t believe we watched burly catcher Bengie Molina hit for the cycle as a Ranger.
- Oddibe McDowell 1985
- Mark Teixeira 2004
- Gary Matthews, Jr. 2006
- Ian Kinsler 2009
- Bengie Molina 2010
- Adrian Beltre 2012
- Alex Rios 2013
- Shin-Soo Choo 2015
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
