I still well recall the Boston Red Sox’s 2004 moment of ultimate success in breaking the curse. I couldn’t help but wish that my favourite Texas Rangers could experience something similar when Keith Foulke threw the final out to Doug Mientkiewicz. We’d experienced years of heartbreak, with David Dellucci’s double hit in a third-place finish that year serving as the high point.

That final out was treasured in New England like a golden egg, a kind of holy grail. For two years, Mientkiewicz hoarded it, even shoving it inside his wife’s pocketbook. I used to dream about what the Rangers’ World Series championship game might look like. Would that be the famous glasses push made by Tom Henke when he struck out Pudge Rodriguez? Or maybe Rusty Greer’s incredible running catch? Perhaps Ian Kinsler would intercept a ground ball and make a spectacular play to pass it to Mitch Moreland. The only thing that mattered was making it to the dogpile celebration, regardless of how it happened.

However, it only needed to be the most memorable scene—not a particularly noteworthy play. When they were both in the minor leagues, I used to picture a game-winning scene in which Keone Kela struck out a batter, nicely framed by Jose Trevino. No details mattered as long as we made it to the dogpile.

And now here I am, thinking back on how Josh Sborz hit Ketel Marte with the game-winning pitch. Funny how it ended up looking just like the Texas Rangers. Josh Sborz and Jonah Heim sealed the championship instead of a well-known superstar.

In 2021, Sborz, a former Dodgers castoff, was traded to the Rangers. Though he had occasional difficulties, his potential was obvious. He showed moments of genius, most notably in June of this year, when he had an incredible month with noteworthy numbers. Unfortunately, he was less productive in the second half of the season due to injury.

Conversely, Heim played a significant role behind the plate. Renowned for his exceptional defensive and play-calling abilities, Heim was acquired by Oakland in exchange for Elvis Andrus. Despite facing several obstacles at the bat, he demonstrated his abilities and was promoted to the starting catcher position.

In Game 5, the moment we’d all been waiting for finally arrived. With Heim guiding him, Sborz faced the last hitter and delivered the game-ending pitch. Heim sprung into the air, running to embrace Sborz as Marte watched it pass, causing his glove to come off and the ball to shoot into the night sky. The Texas Rangers, a team that has struggled frequently, were encapsulated in that one moment.

Heim, though, was not about to let the ball go. Austin Hedges led the way as he turned back and got it. He recognised the importance of the ball to Rangers supporters and the state of Texas. It represented the conclusion of years of uncertainty and letdown.

This time, the Rangers didn’t let the ball get away. They eventually won their first World Series in the history of the team, and it was an occasion we will always treasure.