Texas Rangers celebrate first World Series win in team history
PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Texas Rangers popped bottles and got the beer flowing on Wednesday night following the first World Series win in team history.
The players soaked in the moment while soaking each other after their 5-0 win.
"You guys just wrote history. Congrats, you're World Champions," said Rangers manager Bruce Bochy to kick off the celebration.
Marcus Semien, one of the heroes of the Game 5 win, chose the Rangers in free agency coming off of a 102-loss season.
"I didn't feel like it was a risk, you know. I showed up here ready to work. I knew the culture needed some adjustments, a little bit. We all want to start winning at some point. Last year was tough, but we knew we were going in the right direction," said Semien.
For Nathan Eovaldi, it was his second World Series win.
The starter battled to win his fifth game of the postseason in Game 5.
"It's extremely satisfying. They're an extremely talented group over there. They made me work really hard out there," he said.
FOX 4's Jeff Kolb talked with designated hitter Mitch Garver, who held the World Series trophy during the interview.
"How does it feel to be holding this right now," Jeff asked.
"It's a dream come true, man. I mean, this is something that you work your whole life for and to be able to do it tonight was unbelievable," Garver said. "We won this one for the teams before us, for the players before us, for North Texas and the whole southwest part of the United States."
But Josh Jung may have summed it up best. After the big win, he told reporters the theme of the year was resilience and it paid off.
Now the team can return to Arlington as world champions.
It's something the players said means the world to them, and they're happy to give to the fans.
"You guys deserve this, man. You put on a great atmosphere at home. I feel like, you know, we're going to have a great party when we get home. We're going to enjoy the parade and really make it count," said first baseman Nathan Lowe.
The Rangers' celebration will continue on Friday at 12:15 p.m. with a victory parade in Arlington.