Texas Rangers: Bartolo Colon’s progress this season
Bartolo Colo’s season has been quite a surprise. Despite being 45 years of age, he’s still focused and committed. In other words, he still loves the game and it seems that the game still loves him since he’s able to stay healthy. He’s been putting on quite a show for the Texas Rangers.
Bartolo Colon signed with the Texas Rangers on a minor league contract in February. His deal included an invitation to spring training. The Rangers released him on the 24th of March only to bring back two days later and he’s been within the organization since. At the moment, he’s currently the oldest active player in the league. And furthermore, he’s the last active player in the league to have played for the Montreal Expos.
Colon is 4-4 with a 4.91 ERA in 13 starts. Obviously, it’s not the best ERA and record, but it’s good for an aged veteran. Colon is still playing at somewhat of a high level. Colon is basically proving that age doesn’t matter and it’s about hard work and dedication to the game of baseball.
It’s unknown amongst critics how much Colon has left in him, but it’s clear that Colon has no plans of quitting soon. His focus and commitment indicate that he plans to play at least three more years, maybe more.
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On Monday, in a 6-3 win against the Kansas City Royals, Colon won his 244th career game. His 244th career win named him the all-time leader in wins for pitchers who were born in the Dominican Republic. Last week, Colon registered his 2,500th career strikeout, becoming the 34th pitcher in history to do so.
Colon’s next start is going to be against the Minnesota Twins this Sunday. Colon has some momentum as he’s coming off a win that put his name in the record books yet again.
He’s going to have to do what he’s done all season; step on the plate and take care of business. He is going to need to have the support of the batting lineup. If the Rangers can score some runs and if he’s able to retire the batters he faces.
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The Texas Rangers have been doing well since they ended a humiliating and frustrating six-game losing streak. They need to avoid having pressure placed on them as they don’t want to suffer another momentum-killer tantrum.