World Series 2011: What Longtime Texas Rangers Fan's Death Means to Team

Death doesn’t care about baseball.

Seventy-six-year-old rabid Texas Rangers fan Heneri Ann Short had been battling cancer for several months, and had recently told the Dallas Morning News that “I only want to live long enough to see the Rangers win the World Series."

So close.

She passed away Wednesday night, right when Game 6 should have been in progress, but instead was cancelled due to rain. Is this a good or a bad sign for the Rangers tonight?

The Rangers franchise has gone 50 seasons without a championship, and the karma gods are in full effect roaming the St. Louis skies. Is this a preview of darker things to come?

Or is it something bigger than that?

A family member is able to spin this tragic tale into a positive:

"

Sadly, Heneri went to her heavenly home last night around 7 p.m. We would like to believe that she chose to do this so she could watch the final game tonight with her husband and son, and cheer the Rangers on to victory.

"

So this is a good sign. A front row seat to the biggest game of the past 50 seasons is not a bad way to go.

With the way Jaime Garcia pitched against the Rangers in Game 2, maybe Texas needs a little assistance from Heneri up above to push that fly ball over the wall. Maybe she can mess with the Cardinals bullpen phone again or even summon the wrong pitcher out of the bullpen.

If I’m a Texas Ranger, I look at this story as an obligation. You have to win this one for a loyal and faithful fan who has stuck around through thick and thin.

If there wasn’t enough pressure already on the Rangers, they have to play knowing fans from above counting are watching as well.