Rangers’ World Series win means a little extra to these neighbors

After 63 long years, our Texas Rangers are world champions. This afternoon, Arlington was packed with over half a million euphoric fans cheering for the team’s parade. Some of them arrived to the scene as early as 6 a.m. to secure a good view. 

Schools were let out and entire workplaces called off to attend the historic celebration. I arrived around noon to take a (very slow) lap around the parade route and engage with my surroundings.

Engaging is exactly what people did. I saw folks climb on top of office buildings, pass champagne around and start far too many “LET’S GO RANGERS” chants. It was loud, proud and boisterous, in a way that only a Texas world championship could be. It’s been 63 years after all, we gotta let loose a bit.

Among the most boisterous supporters was Isaac Delgado, a Lake Highlands High School senior who wanted to give one last ovation to Corey Seager and Adolis Garcia until they return next season. He spends his summers working at Taco Joint Lake Highlands, high-fiving customers and clapping from behind the counter when the Rangers are on TV.

“I thought next year would’ve been our year, but the Texas Rangers dynasty is about to happen,” Delgado puffs. “We are here and this is only the beginning.”

Delgado is only 18-years-old, but has spent each of those years as a diehard Rangers fan. For some families, the team has been a decades-long tradition. 

“I was born and raised a Texas Rangers fan,” says Stephanie Sierra, Oak Cliff resident. “We sit down as a family and watch baseball together. I lost my grandfather Eusebio Sierra to cancer in 2020, he was 90 years old. The last game he attended was against the Houston Astros at the old ballpark. It was super cold but my grandpa sat through the entire game.”

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Sierra.

Braving the elements for the Rangers reminds Sierra of her grandfather’s signature saying, “hasta la novena, ganen o pierdan”, which translates to “until the ninth, win or lose”. That day in 2020, he lived up to his words.

“My grandfather’s name for the Rangers was “Los Tejanos” and in his honor I got my 2nd Rangers tattoo.”

Sierra isn’t the only fan that sees the Rangers as a family affair, former Oak Cliff resident Deja Ramirez actually started her family on the field. 

“I grew up loving baseball through my dad,” she says. “Years later, my husband proposed to me at the old ballpark.”

The couple even got the opportunity to take their engagement photos inside the stadium.

Photo courtesy of Deja Ramirez.

“We would then have our kids and one by one, I would make sure they had their Ranger gear,” Ramirez says.

“I have so many memories with the Rangers with family and friends, to see and witness this World Series win was by far the best ever and emotional. I just wish my dad was still here to share this moment with us.”

As for Ramirez, Sierra, Delgado, the Advocate staff that attended the parade instead of going to the office and the thousands of screaming fans that surrounded them; we now live in a city of champions. Congratulations to the Texas Rangers, we’ll be cheering you on hoping for another parade next year. 

“Hasta la novena, ganen o pierdan.”