Rick George tips cap to Texas Rangers on first World Series win

The former Rangers executive celebrates a championship

It took 63 seasons to accomplish but it was worth the wait! The Texas Rangers have finally secured the franchise’s first ever World Series Championship.

Congrats to my Texas Rangers. World Series Champions!! Congrats Ray and Neil. pic.twitter.com/wNRwqycl0j

— Rick George (@RickGeorgeCU) November 2, 2023

In 2010, our current Colorado Athletic Director was an executive with the PGA Tour of America. He was very much on a path to possibly becoming the PGA’s next commissioner. However, in early October, Rick George saw an opportunity that too was good to pass up. He was brought in to run the business side of the ballclub.

“I've always loved baseball,” said George at the time to the Florida Times Union.

Just weeks later the Rangers would advance to the World Series. Their opponent was Bruce Bochy and the San Francisco Giants. As it turns out, Texas wasn’t quite ready for the spotlight and the Giants steamrolled them in five games. This was the first World Series title for Bochy. More to come there, as in three more rings for the future Hall of Fame manager.

In 2011, it was the same story but we thought the ending might be  different. The Rangers looked to be the dominant team heading into the postseason and ultimately the World Series.

In the championship clinching game six, the Rangers led 7-5 going into the ninth inning only to see a misplayed fly ball allow the St. Louis Cardinals an opportunity to force extra innings. In the 10th, Texas again squandered a two run lead and eventually lost on a David Freese home run in the 11th. 

Texas had multiple opportunities to secure their first championship. They had the Cardinals down to their final strike in several at bats. It was an unprecedented meltdown and subsequently led to a game seven loss.

Texas fans had their hearts ripped out out in 2011. Last night, they all started beating again.

Ten years ago, it was George who followed his heart back to Boulder, Colorado.

“We wish Rick well as he pursues his passion of college athletics," said Rangers Chief Executive Officer Nolan Ryan at the time. "We appreciate his many contributions the past few years, particularly his efforts to help us increase revenues and attendance.”

In 1987, Bill McCartney hired George as Colorado’s football recruiting coordinator. In a little over two years, he was promoted to assistant athletic director for football operations. He oversaw the remarkable 1990 championship season. This was an integral promotion and one that has charted his course towards decades of leadership.

Upon returning to Boulder in 2013, George told The Coloradan, “We had a lot of success here and we both love college athletics. It’s just the right place for us, and we’re excited about it. I can’t imagine any place we’d rather be.”

When Coach Prime, who played in a World Series with the Atlanta Braves, said it’s a dream to bring baseball back to Colorado, believe it. The first step was rejoining the Big 12. The next steps involve money and other factors that may still be years away.

But know this, the leadership in Boulder is not just dreaming of championships on the gridiron, basketball courts, ski slopes or on other Colorado mainstays. There’s visions of glory on the baseball and softball diamonds. How long will that take? Who knows? 

Two years ago the Rangers lost 102 games. Last year, they lost 94. Now they’re the champs. Sometimes, dreams can quickly become reality.