Happy the Rangers Won?

I am...but I don't say that because I'm a Yankee hater. While I'm not a fan of the Yankees, I do believe that you sincerely have to respect them. I'm also not a Rangers fan, but I've learned to enjoy watching this team. I've also learned to appreciate all that has happened during this 2010 season for Texas.

Now that the Texas Rangers will be playing in their first World Series, there are a few people I am extremely happy for that are associated with the franchise.

First, I am happy for their fans. If you've followed this franchise from its beginnings, you encompass not only almost 50 years of never playing in the Fall Classic, you also encompass the franchise's start in D.C. when they were called the Washington Senators. Of course, the original Senators are now the Minnesota Twins.

Ryan hoists AL Trophy

I'm also happy for Nolan Ryan. His name has been attached to the franchise for quite a while now. As part of a new ownership group, Ryan has every reason in the world to smile. The Rangers have held a stigma of not being a winning team. One off-season doesn't necessarily change that tune, but it's always a positive step in the right direction.

Don't forget how Ryan and the new owners purchased the team. An auction in bankruptcy court...with the only other bidder being Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. Although Cuban has stated that Ryan would still hold a high position if he won, knowing you outbid a maverick (every pun intended) is one victory and being the owner of the AL champs is another. And it's a far cry from having Robin Ventura in a headlock and thumping his head.

I'm happy for manager Ron Washington. Remember back during spring training in a story on SI.com that Washington had tested positive for cocaine in 2009. Washington was scrutinized by the league and subject to an increase in testing. He passed every one of those. He addressed his team on the situation. Both his team and Ryan stood firmly behind their skipper. You could say that the team used this as a means of motivation.

And Washington said all the rights things:

"I did make a mistake and I regret that I did it," Washington told SI.com by phone from Surprise, Ariz., on Tuesday night. "I am really embarrassed and I am really sorry."

But Washington went beyond that. He informed the Rangers and the MLB offices that the test he took in 2009 might come back positive.

"It was the right thing to do,'' Washington said of his decision to come forward. "I couldn't deal with the result to come back positive and be a shock to those who've shown faith in me.''

With the whole franchise supporting him, Washington was able to manage. He can now begin to construct a case for the hardware he's sure to receive (or already receiving) in lieu of his team's performance in 2010.

Your ALCS MVP

I'm happy for Josh Hamilton. I know you're thinking what a horrible transition, but Hamilton's highly publicized usage of drugs and alcohol serves as an inspiration to those that fight the fight on an everyday occurrence. While Hamilton collected his ALCS MVP, he did not fail to mention his new road. And his teammates have been more than supportive. Instead of the traditional champagne, they opted for ginger ale so that Hamilton could be a participant.

When the Rangers clinched their division, there was a discussion on how Hamilton was going to don an outfit so that the temptation would not be present. He changed his plans and decided not to even participate. Comments from readers of a piece on Yahoo!'s Big League Stew showed a clear support for Hamilton and his reversal. That fact was not lost on his teammates or the organization either. They knew Hamilton was a major reason the Rangers achieved any success this season. He needed to be included.

I'm happiest for Michael Young. While Washington, Ryan and Hamilton have had off-field issues, Young's were on the field. After the 2008 season, Young was asked to move to third base to make way for a young shortstop named Elvis Andrus. Turned that after a decade in the bigs, Young and his Rangers garnered an AL West title and attend the postseason dance. After all those games in a Rangers uniform, one of the games best kept secrets would be playing beyond the first week of October.

And he'll also get a taste of the World Series.

Rangers fans, enjoy this. Savor it. Don't ever forget it.

No matter the outcome in the World Series, you have a team that is more than worth cheering for. I know I will be regardless of their opponent.