Moral victory—is there really such a thing and, if so, does it really matter?
Maybe I'm just old school, but when two teams play a game against each other, one wins and one loses. Yet, somehow in sports today, it is possible for both teams to win.
Reminds me of little league when everyone gets a trophy no matter what place the team finishes.
Except this isn't little league baseball. This is professional baseball, and there are no moral victories for any team that plans on playing in October.
The Texas Rangers are currently 2-3 on their east coast road trip, with the rubber game set for Sunday afternoon.
Some have suggested the Rangers have done well on the trip despite their record, because they were fortunate to not have their lead in the division shrink by more than a game.
This, of course, is the same loser mentality that has dogged this organization since they played in Washington D.C. It must stop, or this team won't be going anywhere in October.
What about the missed opportunities to expand their division lead? What about setting a tone for a tough month against playoff bound teams from both leagues?
A winner's mentality demands answers to those questions.
Playoff teams ask those questions.
Playoff teams are not satisfied with a road trip like this one.
The Rangers gave away the last game in New York and have not hit well at all despite facing pitchers who have been struggling. Yet, somehow, this trip is supposed to be a moral victory because they have only been completely out of two of the games so far.
Well, if you ignore the two losses in New York and the throttling the Red Sox gave them Saturday night, they have played with the beasts from the east.
Now, don't get me wrong, this team is still talented enough to win the division and shouldn't let a lackluster road trip change their plans for October, but let's call this road trip what it is.
Can we please stop with the moral victory nonsense? I seriously doubt these Rangers need a morale boost. They know they're good enough to win and win more than the division.
Playoff teams are tested all season long, so every series against a good team cannot be about team morale.
- Login to post comments