Grats to the Rangers on their series win, Beltre's fine game, and Harrison's ability to take advantage of a pressing Rays team.

Not to steal Rangers fans' thunder, but just-another-great-season to be a Rays' fan. They are much maligned here, and it was depressing to see so many empty seats at the game today, but like everyone that posts here is well aware there are plenty of diehard loyal fans for every team, including the Rays, and this was just another phenomenal season for those of us that love this team. For whatever disaster-movie explanation why Tampa/St. Pete fans can't show up to ballgames is moot to people like myself and those from other less well patron-ed franchises. This was a fine, fine season to be a Rays fan -- one that feels just as good as 2008.

Go Brewers!

Belt-Trey is fairly clever.

It's a bit of a pity that after getting into the playoffs in such a remarkable way, the Rays had such an ignominious exit.

It's a bit of a pity that after getting into the playoffs in such a remarkable way, the Rays had such an ignominious exit.

Well, of the three most recent hypercollapses, all three beneficiaries lost in the DS.

It's disappointing, but the better team won. The Rays are the feel-good story of the season (unless you're a Sawx fan), but they didn't exactly dominate the non-Boston competition in September. Still, given the expectations after the big turnover this season, you can't consider this season a failure.

Joe Maddon's post-game interview was really great, too. His story about sharing a bottle of whiskey with his team after they started 0-6 stood out as an example of him being a player's manager who still isn't going to let the inmates run the asylum.

Congratulations to the Rangers and their fans, and I hope I get to say that twice more before 2011 is over. Shame about the Rays, but at least they kept Boston out of the postseason, and no year is wasted in which you do that.

According to Engle, Michael Young is still a dreamboat.

The Rays outscored the Rangers 21-16 (so much for Pythagoras in the short run) and showed themselves relentless in coming back from deficits large and small. I guess the Rangers established they were better, but the overall season series went 8-5 to the Rangers after a 5-5 start, and the last three games were agonizingly close. No better illustration of the tiny margins that make up even pretty clear baseball victories.

I liked seeing the Rays in both regular season and playoffs here in Arlington this year. I came away impressed not only with the stars (Longoria and Zobrist are clear standouts, and Shields looked great here in the RS) – but with Sean Rodriguez (I know he hit .223, but he doesn't look overmatched) and by Johnny Damon, who looks like an ancient airbrushed unfrozen caveman now, but has made incremental impressions on me as someone who has had a really damn fine career. At an advanced age he can still hit a homer, steal a base, and bust it down the 1B line in search of an infield hit.

Oh, and Beltre: the three home runs were sensational (I was just thinking this morning, wouldn't it be nice if Beltre broke out). But equally sensational was the DP he started last night to preserve that victory. Michael Young is a dreamboat, and I say nothing against him, but that would have been the tying run if Young were still at 3B.

Too bad Boston couldn't hold onto this guy. What a stud.

but with Sean Rodriguez (I know he hit .223, but he doesn't look overmatched)

I think given a season of regular playing time Rodriguez can at least become acceptable for a MIF against RHP (a .240 BABIP against them is pretty low even if you assume he doesn't make a lot of strong contact against them). There's a good chance he'll get that next year as either the full-time SS or 2B.

Congratulations to Ranger fans. Hell of a season for the Rays, too. Tough ending to a great season.

Beltre for HOF.

4: The 2006 Cardinals almost had a hypercollapse and they won the thing that year.

Beltre for HOF.

I was actually thinking about that this morning. He may get there yet. I hope both he and Rolen make it and it's too bad Chavez couldn't stay healthy.

Adrian Beltre, 1-for-11 in the first three games, hit a playoff-record-tying three home runs as the Rangers advanced to the AL Championship Series with a 4-3 victory over the Rays in Game 4 on Tuesday at Tropicana Field.

So, wait, I'm confused. Is he clutch, or not?

Joe Maddon's post-game interview was really great, too. His story about sharing a bottle of whiskey with his team after they started 0-6 stood out as an example of him being a player's manager who still isn't going to let the inmates run the asylum.

Good thing Josh Hamilton isn't on that team then.