A Rangers win was not in the cards tonight.

I have never been a Rangers fan, or had any rooting interest in them up until about 14 months ago. As a new Texan, I felt it was my duty to support everything good in this great state, or maybe it was the fact that I may not survive another brush with death as the Giants did the unthinkable.

This year, the Rangers were at the final table again, and seemed to have all the chips. The Sox, Yankees and Tigers all folded, and it came down to the last hand with the Cardinals. With both teams "all in," the Rangers lost a game that you would think they'd never lose.  A game of Texas Hold 'Em!

Yes, the Rangers buried the "Felix card," and got the "Oliver card" on the river, and that's when you realized there was no way  the Rangers were going to win. As the "Wise Guy" I say it's ok to be mad. Yell, kick, and scream, because in sports there is no tomorrow when it comes to losing a championship, especially one that should have been won.

Please do not say, "Just wait 'til next year!' That is something that the loser always says. Just ask any Bills/Vikings fan, or anyone else who has not won a championship. Lets just hope that over the winter the Rangers get fa t... or should I say, "Phat." The Rangers have a need, and I know one person  happens to be the best there is.

So let me be the first to toast:  Here's to what could have been!

"The Wise Guy"

Purgatory here on Earth

Growing up in a strict Catholic family you learn all about purgatory. It's a state of purification or temporary punishment of the soul as it's made ready for heaven. You're probably asking yourself what this has to do with the "Wise Guy"! Let me explain. As I watched another disappointing loss by Cal on national TV, it hit me. I'm in my sports purgatory. I'm currently paying for my sports sins of the past and those to come. No matter how much I ask the patron saint of Cal football, Joe Roth, to intercede on my behalf, I may never reach the Rose Bowl. Oops, I mean heaven.

For those of you who are not Catholic or do not believe in purgatory, here's another scenario: Cal's QB sucks. I'm not talking about a vacuum type of suction, I'm talking F-5 tornado suction. Lets see ... Riley, Mansion, Bridgford, Hinder, and Boehm were all 4-star recruits and top-5 pro style QBs coming out of high school. Not one of the latter four could beat out a transfer from that football power Buffalo? Really Tedfurd ( Stanfurd spelling, no "o") ?  If Turner Gil leaves Buffalo and does not want to take his starting QB with him, why would you? Keenan is probably the answer, but do you have to start him?

Now one of  the top QBs in the country, Zack Cline, is coming in the class of 2012. Do you think Cal can hire a QB guru so he doesn't turn out like those before him?

Just sayin'.

"Wise Guy"