Texas Rangers

Rangers Success Based On Team Effort, Not All-Stars

So how does the best team in the American League, and tied for the best record in the majors, place only two on the All-Star team?

It’s simple: teamwork.

Rangers lefty Cole Hamels and centerfielder Ian Desmond are going to San Diego for the 2016 MLB All-Star Game. Both are deserving, but the fact those two are the only representatives playing in the Midsummer Classic says more about how this has been more of a collective team effort this season.

It starts with the front office with general manager Jon Daniels and company picking the pieces to fit the puzzle they envision. Scouting reports, sabermetrics and a loaded farm system all come into play. The pieces are then handed over to manager Jeff Banister and his staff to piece together the puzzle and put it into play. It’s become a well-oiled machine.

Many fans are probably wondering why names such as Adrian Beltre, Nomar Mazara and Jurickson Profar are not on the A.L. roster. You could make the case that Beltre and Mazara were victims of the numbers game. Every team has a representative; plus other players are having better seasons at their respected positions.

Getting a late start in the season and not really having a set position practically takes Profar out of the running. You could make the argument over the offensive numbers, but 32 games is just a small sample and not enough to claim a roster spot.

You have to think that Yu Darvish and Colby Lewis would also get consideration if both were healthy during the first half of the season. Lewis was 6-1 with a 3.21 ERA in 15 starts before going on the disabled list due to strained lat muscle. Darvish only made three starts after coming back from Tommy John surgery before going back on the D.L. with shoulder discomfort.

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But the Rangers success this season isn’t based on individual achievements, it’s on a team effort. The Rangers aren’t too worried about All-Star Game representation. The focus is more on “Hello Win Column.”

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