Video & Audio

Around The Beat: T.R. Sullivan talks about the Texas Rangers ‘going for it all’

SCROLL DOWN TO READ ARTICLE

You know Buck Showalter is going to think it is a conspiracy from the baseball gods. His Orioles have to face the Texas Rangers for a three-game series starting Tuesday at Camden Yards just as the Rangers added three pieces that could propel them to the World Series.

The Rangers, after all, already had the best record in the American League, 62-44, before picking up catcher Jonathan Lucroy and reliever Jeremy Jeffress from Milwaukee and outfielder Carlos Beltran from the New York Yankees in separate deadline deals Monday afternoon.

But if the baseball gods were frowning at Showalter, they were smiling on me Monday night. Because I had the pleasure of talking to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan for our “Around The Beat” podcast just a couple hours after the Rangers’ trades were made.

Sullivan, who has covered the Rangers for a total of 28 years, has tremendous perspective on this club. And he quickly summed up why Texas traded a bevy of prospects – including three former first-rounders – Monday.

CONTINUE READING BELOW

“The Texas Rangers decided they’re going to do everything they can to win the World Series,” Sullivan said. “They’re not interested in just winning the division title. They’re going for it all.”

Sullivan broke down the deals, and talked about how landing Lucroy – after he chose not to go to the Cleveland Indians – potentially altered the hierarchy of the teams in the AL.

He explains how this club has no obvious weaknesses now, especially if starters Colby Lewis and Derek Holland return from the disabled list at the end of the month.

And, therefore, how it would be a disappointment in the Dallas/Arlington/Fort Worth areas if these Rangers don’t end up back in the October Classic in an attempt to capture their first World Series title.

With my prodding, Sullivan even compares Texas’ current skipper, Jeff Banister, with one of the Rangers’ former ones, O’s manager Buck Showalter.

CONTINUE READING BELOW

It’s definitely worth your time as the two playoff contenders get ready to face off tonight.

Dan Connolly

Dan Connolly has spent more than two decades as a print journalist in Pennsylvania and Maryland. The Baltimore native and Calvert Hall graduate first covered the Orioles as a beat writer for the York (Pennsylvania) Daily Record in 2001 before becoming The Baltimore Sun’s national baseball writer/Orioles reporter in 2005. He has won multiple state and national writing awards, including several from the Associated Press Sports Editors. In 2013 he was named Maryland Co-Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. And in 2015, he authored his first book, "100 Things Orioles Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die." He lives in York, with his wife, Karen, and three children, Alex, Annie, and Grace.

Share
Published by
Dan Connolly

Recent Posts

  • Minors

Orioles’ affiliates Chesapeake, Aberdeen, Delmarva open season on Friday

While Triple-A Norfolk has been playing for a week, Friday marks the beginning of the…

April 4, 2025
  • Rich Dubroff

Orioles’ Henderson returns from injured list; Carlson optioned to Norfolk

The Orioles will have shortstop Gunnar Henderson back for Friday night’s game in Kansas City.…

April 4, 2025
  • Mailbag

When will Orioles’ extend their young players? | MAILBAG

Question: Kind of ironic that Boston did lock in extensions for Garrett Crochet and Kristian…

April 4, 2025
  • Orioles

Orioles lose series to an impressive Red Sox team, await Henderson’s return against Royals

BALTIMORE -- What happened? The marathon is just beginning for the Orioles, and the sample…

April 4, 2025
  • Orioles

Orioles plan to bring back shortstop Gunnar Henderson against Royals

BALTIMORE -- There was hope that Gunnar Henderson would be batting leadoff and playing shortstop…

April 3, 2025
  • Mailbag

Must the Orioles win a playoff series under Brandon Hyde? | MAILBAG

Question: I’m a big Brandon Hyde supporter, but after the early exits in the playoffs…

April 3, 2025