It's taken one month to realize that Texas Rangers' rookie shortstop Elvis Andrus would be okay.
It took one play last night to remember he's going to be a star.
For once, I think it's safe to say the Texas Rangers knew what they were doing.
In last night's 6-5 win over the Seattle Mariners the 20-year-old Andrus got two more hits - raising his average to .284 - and saved the game in the 9th inning with a spectacular play you haven't seen a Rangers' shortstop make in, oh, forever?
Nursing a one-run lead, Andrus ranged deep in the hole to his right and made a diving stop of a grounder by Seattle's Kenji Johjima. He then got up on one knee and - from the outfield grass, mind you - threw out Johjima by a nano-second.
Michael Young doesn't get to that ball. Most shortstops don't get to that ball. Only a handful turn it into an out.
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Andrus has made six errors in 101 chances, but we knew he'd be erratic. Last night he balanced it with game-saving splendor.
And at the plate he's been much more than adequate. In two games since being moved up from No. 9 to the No. 2 hole, he's got four hits. He's struck out only 10 times in 67 at-bats (Taylor Teagarden has fanned in 13 of 29 plate appearances).
The Rangers, who play the Mariners again this afternoon at 3:40, are above .500 into May.
More importantly, looks like they've got a winner in Elvis Andrus.
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