love the way you present the arguments.

Outstanding

I've waited since 1972 for a writer to describe the team I've followed since the beginning like this.

Now I just hope they can close the deal.

Fantastic piece Sam!

Don't let Jason Parks hear about this.

Sam Miller's a god damned treasure.

#4 was particularly good.

I'm going to fold my Rangers fan feathers, and say that I enjoyed this article...even if I think #2 and #3 are a stretch.

Any thoughts on expanding this as a series on maybe the top 10 franchises in baseball today?

"What if the A's hahaha." I lol'd.

God, this is a great article. What an amazing framing. Brings to mind Jared Diamond's brilliant 'Collapse', have you read it?

Would've been fun to find an example of a society collapsing due to the failures of its inspiring but fatally misguided leadership (Ron Washington).

Again and again this site demonstrates, with articles like this, why it's the standard bearer for smart baseball analysis, and worth every red cent. Great work, Mr. Miller.

Very nice, Sam. My biggest worry as a Rangers' diehard, however, is the loss of great leader. No, I'm not referring to Nolan Ryan; I think that by far and away the most underrated GM in baseball today is Jon Daniels. If he goes bye-bye, looking for more fame, glory, or riches, our civilization is doomed.

I would suggest that the word "Great" be spared until they actually win a World Series.
BTW, savvy trades are how a lot of teams get good. And a lot of these "smart organizations" don't win a thing with their eternal prospects (Ahem Indians) and clownish investments are ignored (Kerry Wood for 10 Million when they never sign big money contracts).
And the organization that the Rangers fleeced for Andrus et al, was one of the smartest in baseball for years (and a smart one that actually won).

And let me add, prospects are a currency, but they have a short shelf life. The real "smart" organizations include the ones that actually put them to use, instead of letting them wallow in the minors. Some of those Phillies prospects may be duds, but they turned a lot of them into viable major league players. Heck, they tried like the devil to foist Dominic Brown on the Astros, but the Stros wisely avoided that.

Jared Diamond, anyone? Loved this article, and not just the historical parts. It's an interesting concept (sort of like the Professor's "What could go wrong" series) to look at a team that is going so well and imagine what their undoing will be...

Sam, this is awesome. Why do I feel like I recognize your style from McCoveyChronicles?

Applause.

"Some day the Rangers are going to be terrible. It is not going to be this day." - Rather ironic words given that the Rangers currently trail the woeful Mariners 17-0 "this day". :)

I have read every article on this website and this one took longer to read than any other due to the fascinating links. I love all the collateral learning I got from this.