The Rangers Win World Series: 5 Memorable Moments

The Texas Rangers won their first World Series, leaving only five teams in the MLB without a championship.

The Texas Rangers emerged victorious in Game 5 against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix, securing their first-ever World Series win. This historic triumph makes them the 25th team to claim the championship title. According to CBS Sports, there are now only five teams remaining – the Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, and Tampa Bay Rays – who have yet to taste World Series glory in the 119-year history of the event.

To celebrate the Rangers' remarkable achievement, let's take a look at five unforgettable moments from past World Series games.

1. The Curse of the Bambino Broken - 2004
In 2004, the Boston Red Sox shattered the infamous 86-year curse that was believed to have begun when they traded Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. The curse seemingly prevented the Red Sox from achieving World Series success, as per MLB.com. However, the Red Sox not only won the championship but did so in a dominant fashion. They swept the 105-win St. Louis Cardinals in a four-game series. This victory lifted the curse, and the Red Sox went on to secure World Series titles in 2007, 2013, and 2018.

2. Cubs' Rain Delay Triumph - 2016
One of the most recent and memorable moments in World Series history occurred in 2016 when the Chicago Cubs clinched their first championship in 108 years. In Game 7 against the Cleveland Indians (now known as the Guardians), the Cubs faced a game-tying two-run home run by Rajai Davis in the eighth inning. The game eventually entered the 10th inning, where a 17-minute rain delay took place. During this delay, Jason Heyward delivered an inspiring speech to his teammates, rallying them to victory. The Cubs ultimately triumphed, ending their long-standing drought.

3. Carlton Fisk's Iconic Home Run - 1975
In 1975, the Boston Red Sox came close to breaking the curse of the Bambino. In Game 6 against the Cincinnati Reds, Carlton Fisk's legendary home run in the 12th inning forced a decisive Game 7. MLB.com describes this moment as one that no baseball fan will ever forget. With the game tied at 6-6, Fisk's powerful hit along the left-field line miraculously stayed fair, resulting in a Red Sox win. Unfortunately, Boston fell short in Game 7, prolonging the curse.

4. Babe Ruth's Called Shot - 1932
During the 1932 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs, Babe Ruth found himself at the plate with a tied score of 4-4 in the top of the fifth inning. As the National Baseball Hall of Fame recounts, Ruth faced relentless taunting from the Cubs' bench. With two balls and two strikes, Ruth defiantly gestured toward center field, where he subsequently launched the ball for a home run on the next pitch. While some debate whether Ruth truly called his shot, the Great Bambino himself claimed he did, according to the Hall of Fame.

5. Luis Gonzalez's Walk-Off Single - 2001
This moment hails from the Arizona Diamondbacks' first and only World Series victory 22 years ago. After winning the first two games of the series, the Diamondbacks found themselves tied with the New York Yankees at three games each, setting the stage for a decisive Game 7, as reported by Bleacher Report. In the bottom of the ninth inning, with the Yankees leading 2-1, an RBI double from Tony Womack leveled the score. With the bases loaded, Luis Gonzalez delivered a single that brought Jay Bell home, securing the World Series title for Arizona in only their fourth season since the club's inception.

These five extraordinary World Series moments showcase the thrill, drama, and historic significance of baseball's pinnacle event. The Texas Rangers' recent triumph adds another chapter to the rich tapestry of this beloved sport, reminding us of the enduring magic and excitement that the World Series brings to fans worldwide.

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