The Texas Rangers lost the World Series, 4-3 to the Cardinals, but they still had a solid year. They beat the Tampa Bay Rays and Detroit Tigers to get to the World Series. They won the A.L. West with a 96-66 record, which had them 10 games ahead of the Angels as they really pulled away from them in September. Here are the things that really stood out to me about the Rangers in the 2011 regular season:

TEAM MVP - The Rangers almost got rid of 35-year old righty swinging DH Michael Young last winter. They are lucky they came to their senses as Young was the best hitter on the team in 2011. Young played in 159 games for the Rangers last year and he was 213 for 631 (.338 avg, .854 OPS) with 88 runs scored, 11 homers, 106 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. He proved in 2011, that he has plenty left in the gas tank.

BEST PITCHER - 30-year old lefty starting pitcher C.J. Wilson was even better in 2011 than he was in 2010. Wilson pitched in 34 games (all starts) for the Rangers this year and he was 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. He only gave up 191 hits in 223 1/3 innings this year while whiffing 206 batters and walking 74, as he was impressive.

PLEASANT SURPRISE: The fact that 25-year old lefty Derek Holland and 26-year old lefty Matt Harrison started pitching up to their abilities. Holland pitched in 32 games (all starts) and he was 16-5 with a 3.95 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Harrison pitched in 31 games (30 starts) for the Rangers this year and he was 14-9 with a 3.39 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. The best is yet to come from these two guys.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: The Rangers dealt Tommy Hunter and Chris Davis to the Orioles in return for 36-year old righty reliever Koji Uehara. Uehara pitched in 22 games (0 starts) for the Rangers this year and he was 1-2 with a 4.00 ERA and a 0.78 WHIP. He was so awful in the playoffs that he was left off of the World Series’ roster.