Whitney and I were about twelve rows up from the on deck circle at Globe Life Field as we watched Jacob deGrom become the second fastest pitcher in Major League Baseball history to 2,000 career strikeouts. And, if you are a Rangers fan or even a casual sports fan, you’ve probably watched us watching that historic moment.
The Rangers Sports Network cameras caught us standing and applauding deGrom and, evidently, those three seconds were attached to the highlights shown by every sportscast in the country for the past 24 hours. I began receiving texts and screenshots from friends from Amarillo and Arkansas before the first inning had even concluded–friends who saw us live when it happened–and they have continued all day today. Click on that link below for the video:
I have a two-fold theory as to why Whitney and I were highlighted by the Rangers Sports Network. One, we had excellent seats, way down front, very close to the action and the cameras. The seats were affordable because it was the Nationals and it was a Thursday. Two, I think we were the only ones in our section who were paying attention. Not everyone around us realized deGrom was just two strikeouts short of the milestone, and he accomplished it by striking out the first two batters of the game. Most folks weren’t even in their seats yet when it happened. So, I think we might have been the first ones in that area of the stadium to stand and clap.
Our mugs have shown up on all the official recaps, tweets, posts, and videos by the Rangers, MLB, ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC, and something called Sports Today. I’m getting texts about it from family and friends and friends of family. It’s been a weird little thing that’s happened, completely out of our control.
This is more authorized picture of us enjoying the closing moments of what was a riveting game. deGrom went six innings, struck out ten, and allowed only one base hit in the 2-0 win. Seager went deep in the third and Nicky Lopez added the cushion with a sac fly in the eighth, refusing to leave Zeke Duran stranded at third base for what would have been the fourth time. We also watched the out of town scoreboard with great delight as the Angels humiliated the Astros down in Houston 18-2. I hope L.A. got it out of their system; I hope they’re completely worn out from running around the bases all night and won’t have anything left for tonight’s weekend series opener in Arlington. Whitney and I making tonight’s game, too. But our seats will be a little farther up.
Just remember as you’re viewing these screenshots from last night, the camera adds about ten pounds. It looks like I had about three cameras on me.
Peace,
Allan
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