Major League Baseball

BARRY HORN'S ALCS OBSERVATIONS

Published Oct. 16, 2010 10:04 p.m. ET

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1 Ex- Ranger Alex Rodriguez beat out ex- Ranger Mark Teixeira for loudest boos from the crowd during the pregame introductions. "A-Rod," who batted clean-up for the Yankees, kept the boo lead over "Tex," who batted third, throughout the game. Maybe fans shouldn't be so hard on Tex. The Rangers picked up Elvis Andrus and Neftali Feliz when they dumped the big first baseman on the Atlanta Braves.

2 The media has freedom to roam around the stadium before postseason games. The clubhouses, however, are off-limits. But KRLD radio's Brian Dolgin got into the Rangers clubhouse for official duty. Dolgin, a regular pregame visitor all season as well as during the ALDS, reported that the players were as loosey-goosey as he has seen them all season. No nerves showing.

3 If you wanted to go to the ALCS but couldn't find a ticket you might not like this: Two-and-a-half sections just above the old Diamond Club in left field were so sparsely populated that they reminded of a mid-week afternoon crowd in late September. Turns out the seats were reserved for media members who didn't show.

4 It was kind of eerie to hear Rangers in-game highlights featuring the voice of deposed TV play-by-play broadcaster Josh Lewin. The Rangers announced earlier this week they were parting ways with Lewin after nine seasons. At least, Lewin made it to the ALCS. Well, sort of.

5 Derek Holland actually proved the Rangers' most effective relief pitcher in the disastrous eighth inning. The fourth reliever out of Ron Washington's bullpen, Holland allowed a run-scoring single before retiring the last three batters of the inning. Darren Oliver, Darren O'Day and Clay Rapada combined to retire not a single batter.

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