Eaton? For Young? Huh?

What does Jon Daniels know that we don't know?

Adam has the scoop.

What statistics or scouting reports would lead anyone to believe that Adam Eaton is better than Chris Young and Adrian Gonzalez?

Yes, Gonzalez is blocked by Teixeira, so he had to be traded. But, at the price of Young? To get a mid-level starting pitcher like Eaton back?

As good as the Soriano trade was, this one is much more likely to backfire. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm just not seeing the logic.

[/sports/rangers] permanent link

You can have him, really.

The Dodgers got permission to talk to John Hart, formerly of the Rangers.

Oh, that's a good one. I can't stop laughing. Sorry Dodgers fans.

[/sports/rangers] permanent link

That rock is on its way down real soon now...

Jamey wrote the following in his latest entry:

"Those of you who were with this team before the Red Years know what I mean.
It's easy to root for a perennial winner; there's more character, though, in
standing behind Sisyphus and helping push."

(Heck, how many non-Rangers fans understand what the heck Jamey means? See.)

Our frustration lies in that we want to see the team win - we're not the fair-weather fans that inhabit so much of sports (and ahem so much of Dallas).

I'm going to proudly wear my Rangers gear when they come into town next.

But, still, I think they are going down the wrong path. And, that path is set by the owner and the people he's hired.

We were here long before Hicks. We'll still be there long after he's gone.

Happy days will soon. For, I believe.

[/sports/rangers] permanent link

Rangers fans unite to say: 'Fire someone'

Evan Grant's current newsbag contains a lot of mail from unhappy Rangers fans.

No kidding.

I'm so not convinced they even have a plan for 2006.

If I'm Teixeira and Young and I have to listen to that idiot owner (aka whats-his-face, I can't even bring myself to write his name anymore without cursing aloud) say that they will just have to play harder and that they can't expect the Rangers to add any pitching in the near future - I'd be wondering just how much worse Kansas City owners could be.

Absurd.

Recall Hicks. There I said it. And, yes, I've said this before. I should go register that domain, I guess.

Pray that the owner takes half the interest in his team that Jones or Cuban do. First, take a long hard look to see if Hart or Buck make sense. (Boy, letting Grady Fuson go looks worse and worse, doesn't it?)

Of course, the obligatory march to the World Series can begin after Buck departs. But, it's obvious to me that he's lost the clubhouse.

[/sports/rangers] permanent link

Game 55: Coco unleashed...

So, Kenny Rogers' wins his eighth in a row.

Yet, it gets marred by Coco making an obscene gesture to the Royals bench after he got the last out in the bottom of the ninth. It wasn't even a save situation! I won't even try to defend it. Groan.

ESPN Motion has the clip.

Way to go, guys. Not.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 50: 1st place in the AL West

Okay, so I've been away for the last few weeks on business. The Rangers have kept at it and done a mighty fine job. They are currently one of the hottest teams - they've won their last nine in a row.

A quick glance at the standings shows that the Rangers are 30-20. Wow. The Angels are at their heels (they've played two more games: one of them is a rain-out that the Rangers will have to make up in August against the White Sox). The Angels don't currently have Vlad or K-Rod - but they'll be back before the end of the road trip. The Mariners aren't the worst team in the AL West (shock!). And, the Athletics are still in a odd funk, but who knows, they may get wicked hot soon.

Rogers won his seventh consecutive start now - he's sitting on a 7-2 record. Yow! Of course, Cordero leads the league in saves. Young has been pitching rather well since his shaky start to the season (since mid-April, he's gone at least five innings and allowed at most two runs!). Park is doing acceptably; his control seems to elude him at times. Drese seems to have been really shaky - to the point where he and Barajas (who has no business catching for Texas) had a 'scuffle' of sorts.

On the offensive side, Teixeira is doing real well - he was a HR short of the cycle tonight. He ranks 4th in the AL in HRs and 8th in RBIs. Excellent. Dellucci is doing an excellent job getting on base (but had the day off today) - can you believe he leads the league in on-base percentage. Soriano is adjusting to life as a #5 hitter - which should allow him many more chances to drive in runners. With Dellucci getting on base a ridiculous amount of time, dropping Soriano makes sense.

I'll try to do a recap of the last 21 games (yah!) this week as I slowly address the pile of things that got placed on my desk.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 27, 28, 29: Sweepin' As

The Rangers took care of the Athletics this week. This is what happens when the Rangers pitching staff hits the A's shaky (dormant?) offense. But, how many folks expect Chavez to keep at 587 OPS throughout the entire season? Come on.

Rogers pitched really, really well with 8 shutout innings. Cordero in that game gave up the only two runs; which is sort of scary.

Young pitched okay for five and two-thirds on Tuesday. But, the Athletics starter (Saarloos) and the bullpen (Duchscherer) gave it up.

Chan Ho had his worst performance, but that was equalled by Haren's ugly performance which basically let the Rangers feast and parade their way to 16 runs. Don't look now (okay do), but Teixeira now has 8 HRs on the season. Neat-o.

Rangers had the day off today. Hopefully, they didn't watch the Mavs game. What an ugly and awful game. Win it at home on Saturday, Mavs!

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 24-26: The Sox beat up on Rangers.

Chan Ho had a good start on Friday night.

Astacio had his first 'eh' start on Saturday night. (I still feel his record is very deceiving.)

Drese had a downright awful start yesterday. However, they almost pulled it out at the end; but Foulke wasn't going to give up three runs.

So, not surprisingly, the Rangers lost two of three to the 'World Champion Boston Red Sox.' (Ha!)

To give credit where credit's due, Brocail pitched okay in two back-to-back appearances: but his ERA is now hovering at 6.55. Yikes! Almanzar is on the DL and Benoit is recalled to take his place. With Francisco gone and Almanzar shaky, it's going to be tough for the bullpen to match last year's performances.

Teixeira now has seven dingers for the year. Nice. Interesting lineup shift with Dellucci leading off with Soriano falling to the #5 spot behind Blalock. Perhaps Buck thinks Blalock and Soriano weren't giving Teixeira enough RBI chances. (Dellucci getting three walks is goodness, I think.)

Why Sandy Alomar is catching in the big leagues while Gerald Laird is feasting on AAA pitching is uncalled for.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 23: The bats went dead again!

Young is starting to show some consistency. That is encouraging.

However, the bats aren't at this point: one night, they explode for eight runs; the next night for one run. That's not sufficient. And, they are just wasting quality starts by their pitching staff!

Almanzar is still rusty and he's getting hammered off the mound. Hopefully, he'll pull it together. (The personal things he's been going through off the field are admittedly horrific.) Yet, he turned a close 2-1 game into a 4-1 game that even 'Everyday Eddie' couldn't blow. Ouch.

Buck needs to realign the way he is using the bullpen. It's not working.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 22: The bats came alive!

Rogers got some run support early and cruised to the victory.

Blalock is showing some patience with three walks. Nix is hitting well since being demoted and promoted back to the bigs.

Cordero gave up the only two runs in garbage time in the ninth.

In other news, Frankie Francisco is going to have Tommy John surgery. The bullpen is in desperate need of help.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 21: The long-ball wasn't enough.

Four solo HRs wasn't enough.

Drese wasn't fooling anyone. Brocail is just proving he doesn't belong in the bullpen.

On the bright side, Teixeira has 6 HRs now. Yay.

Rogers takes the hill tonight. Look for the Rangers' bats to go quiet.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 20: Big Unit looked purty.

Ooooh, too bad for George (SiaS) that was Randy's first win of the season.

Nothing went the Rangers' way.

Day off today. Yay!

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 19: Those pickups look real nice, George.

Chan Ho has another good performance this season. Yet, his control seems a little off again: too many walks.

Wright got hammered and looks like he's headed to the DL. Good use of $21 million dollars there.

Teixeira has two HRs, which is an encouraging sign. Blalock not doing much is about as discouraging. Hidalgo hasn't play for the last two games as he's been struggling at the plate: Matthews (who can't really hit any more on his best days than Hidalgo on his worst) replaced him at RF.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 18: Where have you gone, Kevin Brown? To the showers!

Kevin Brown received some payback for all that bad karma he generated while with the Rangers. Although he did settle down a bit after the first inning though...but enough damage was made that it didn't really matter.

Young had his second straight acceptable performance. His pitch count was a bit high though for 5 2/3rd innings.

Mahay almost blew it in the 9th such that Cordero had to come in for the save. Grr.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 17: The law of averages catches up to Rogers

A really nice start to 2005 for Rogers, but he's got zero wins to show for it. Last year, he had oodles of run support and racked up 18 wins. This year, nada.

On the bright side, Teixeira hit a HR.

8-9 after 17 games...

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 16: The bottom of the order comes through.

Drese was shaky throughout, but the offense bailed him out in the end.

Barajas hit a grand slam. Nice. Mench followed up with a bases-clearing triple. Cool. Coco came on in the 9th for the save: shouldn't have been necessary! (Why does Buck send Brocail out in a game anymore?)

Oh, yes, the error by Charles Johnson was atrocious. How could he drop that pop up in the middle of the infield? I guess I realize why he was traded for a tax break for the Red Sox.

Nix looks better with the bat in this one game than Matthews had all season. Why the Rangers only recalled Nix now is a mystery or a sign that management just has no clue. Gonzalez being sent down for Nix is borderline indefensible: Matthews (on merit) or Allen (on the fact that Nix is essentially replacing him!) should have been sent down instead.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 15: Astacio++; Soriano--

Astacio is making it look easy with another really good performance.

Soriano, on word that he wasn't in the lineup, threw a tantrum. Something for Buck to keep an eye out. This also won't boost Soriano's trade value.

Somehow, Cordero even with his two blown saves leads the league in saves so far. He still should have eight saves not six. Does this just mean that the Rangers are in more close games than the rest of the league?

Meanwhile, the AL West continues to beat up on each other. The current standings entering 4/20 are:

• Anaheim: 7-7
• Oakland: 7-7
• Seattle: 7-7
• Texas: 7-8

Should be fun to see how this one plays out over the course of the year.

(I was at the Angels/Mariners game today at Angel Stadium. Day games are just so much fun as long as you keep the sunscreen handy!)

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 14: Chan Ho + Ball = Souvenirs & Happy Feelings

Chan Ho just didn't have any command last night. He was walking folks from the beginning and gave up the gopher ball to Chavez.

As Chavez said, "It was just a fastball down the middle, I'm glad I didn't miss it. I've been missing a lot of those."

Nice to know how considerate Chan Ho is of the opposing batters to make them feel better. Nothing like a fastball down the middle to make your day. Grr.

But, this is the Chan Ho we've been expecting, but haven't seen yet.

Haren pitched well for six innings.

I have no idea what the umpire saw on the 'balk' by Riley. I didn't see him move at all. Nuts. The ump probably needs some glasses...

Almanzar got torched in relief. And, that actually played a part because the Rangers scored 3 in the bottom of the ninth off Cruz to force the As to bring in Dotel. Oh well.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 13: Pile on early, but not often.

6 runs in the first two innings was enough to hold off the Blue Jays.

They split the series so that was good.

Hammering Hank hit a HR and Young followed up in the second.

Young pitched better than he has all season - avoiding the demotion to AAA - which I still think is probably deserved.

Cordero seems to be settling down and getting into his groove. Yay.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 12: How about that Napoleon? *mumble*

I spent all day at the Getty Museum.

So, I missed out on the 8-0 loss to the Jays.

That was probably much better for my mind and body that I spent my day at the gorgeous Getty looking at a Jacques-Louis David exhibit instead of Gustavo Chacin making mincemeat of the Rangers.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 11: Running into a brick wall called Drese

I've got to do a better job of getting out of the office and being home by 5pm. Oh, well...

As Halladay mowed down the Rangers last night, Drese kept the Jays in check tonight. I think Drese is on his way to proving that last year wasn't a fluke.

Teixeira had a nice night: 2 walks and a HR. Young chipped in too with his double and HR...

Interesting to see DeRosa get some playing time. Too bad, it's coming at the expense of Gonzalez - whom Buck just needs to get in the lineup every night! Kinsler being down at AAA is a good move just because he wouldn't get playing time in the bigs and he needs gobs of playing time. The Red Sox just optioned Youkilis for similar reasons: he'll have a chance to play every night down in Pawtucket that he wouldn't get with the big club. When (not if) Soriano gets traded, look for Kinsler to leap frog DeRosa.

Almanzar was also activated and Regilio (who was just activated the day before) is sent back down. Ricardo Rodriguez may be sorting his stuff out as well: which is perhaps a positive sign too.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 10: Running into a brick wall called Halladay

I admit that I didn't get a chance to watch any of the game tonight. Oh, well.

Astacio pitched 7 innings and gave up two runs - very decent, but Halladay looks like he's returning to Cy Young form early on this year. The rest of the league needs to be on the lookout.

Dickey's been placed on the DL and called up Regilio - who pitched two scoreless innings in relief. And, it looks like some pitchers are on their way back. Francisco and Almanzar are reportedly going to be activated for tomorrow game; I'm not sure yet who they'll send down. Regardless, they'll provide some much needed help to the collection of firestarters present. At this point, they could pretty much randomly point to anyone in the bullpen and send them to AAA and it'd be the right call.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 9: A surprise: Chan Ho didn't keep the ball in the yard and won.

Figgins hitting a HR? Although, he did hit it fairly well. But, the #9 guy in the order with a shot like that? Yikes.

I think Byrd just got tired and was clinging on for dear life by the end.

Chan Ho pitched fairly well. So, far the starting pitching (except Young) has delivered beyond expectations. But, it's the bullpen that's been really rocky. Again, help is on the way there, we hope!

Gonzalez HR was a shot: this kid can hit. Buck had better put him in the lineup for tomorrow and the next day and the next...

I'd bet that Young's triple and Teixeira's double are homers if they were hit in July or August in TBIA. But, since it's only April, they didn't go the extra three or four feet to go over the wall.

Blalock's getting some walks which I think is a great sign. Patience. Very nice. Good sign of a maturing hitter.

Soriano made a wonderful defensive play in the top of the 9th. Yes, you may need to re-read that sentence again: it doesn't happen often. Heh.

Cordero gave up a 2-run single to Erstad. Has Erstad become Cordero's daddy?

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 8: Why isn't Adrian Gonzalez starting all the time?

Gonzalez seems to have an uncanny knack for fouling off lots of pitches. He worked a HR on a count that was originally 0-2 and kept waiting for his pitch. Also had a nice 2B later on. Nice. Buck needs to work him into the starting lineup for every game.

Blalock also had a nice slap single.

Alas, it wasn't enough.

Young looked really poor - he probably deserves a demotion so he can figure out what's going on and come back soon...

I also have serious concerns that Dickey just can't handle it at the major league level. Too bad Buck seems to be blinded linke Torre about pitchers: some of them are 'his' guys and some of them aren't. Eek.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 7: Are the Angels Cordero's Daddy?

Two blown saves by Cordero and we're only 7 games into the year. Yikes. This can't be encouraging.

I spent most of the game watching the mlb.tv feed of the Red Sox ring ceremony while having the Rangers/Angels game on the GameCast window.

Rogers did fine again - seven innings with three runs. But, the bullpen blew it. (Once again, when I turn into the video, they promptly blow the lead. I tuned in right before Cabrera's HR in the 10th.)

How much longer until Almanzar (on the bereavement list) and Francisco (on the DL) come back? This bullpen is like a fire starter not a fire extinguisher.

Thoughts on the Red Sox ring ceremony:

• Pesky looked mighty fine getting his ring. I don't know if I should say that I'm shocked that Henry & Co. broke down and gave him a ring, but all those years in the organization would probably deserve it.
• Russell, Orr, Seymour, and Bruschi added a nice touch. They said Russell hadn't been to Fenway in fourty years. Incredible.
• The Pops were cool. I'm thinking James Taylor would have been better to do the Anthem. I'm just not a fan of those instrumental anthems.
• And, to be sure, "World Champion Boston Red Sox" sounds real nice.

"World Champion Texas Rangers" would be even nicer. I can dream.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 6: How about that Tiger?

Okay, I admit I was watching the Masters during the Rangers/Mariners game. What a shot by Tiger on the 16th. Absolutely incredible: it looks like it's going to stop right at the lip and then rolls in. Insane.

It's unfathomable to me that CBS didn't show the early morning continuation of play. Tiger was behind, and then caught DiMarco before the third round of play. Insane.

I did turn on the Rangers game at the bottom of the 7th inning. They were up 7-6 by that point and managed to hold on. Drese apparently got shelled (not good). Riley got the win for pitching well in relief (I did get to see a bit of him though). Dellucci apparently hit a bomb just before I tuned in. Teixeira doesn't seem to be firing on all cylinders yet. Cordero had a uneventful 9th. And, how many times has Jeff Nelson pitched for the Mariners now? MLB.com says Nelson has been with Seattle 4 times now.

But, how about that Tiger? DiMarco should get props for catching up with Tiger on the 18th and forcing the playoff. But, was there every really any doubt?

Rangers home opener today. Yay. Even though they are .500 (3-3), I get the feeling that the AL West is just going to beat the snot out of each other this season. Winning 90 games might just be a stretch...but it's still early.

And, plus, the Red Sox get their rings today. Yipee! My dad is taping 9 hours of ESPN today so that he's ensured of being able to watch the ring ceremony tonight. If only I got ESPN here...groan

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 5: Everyday Eddie sure isn't anymore...

I was able to watch this game on mlb.tv. It took me until the 7th inning to get it working on my Windows box which is connected to my TV. (Until then, I watched the game on my PowerBook.) My Windows machine's sole purpose in life is to view mlb.com on my television in full screen mode. I had to disable multicast and UDP in Windows Media Player to get it to play. It didn't really even give an error message - just that it was 'Ready' but never played it. Stupid Microsoft product. (RealPlayer worked okay, but the quality wasn't seemingly as good as it was with Windows Media Player. Go monopolies!)

Astacio looked nice - almost servicable for a fifth starter. He was able to keep the Mariners in check for most of the game.

Scary play when Reed and Soriano collided. I know it's snarky, but I was wondering what number Kinsler would wear if Soriano went on the DL. Luckily (or not!), Soriano looked like he just had the wind knocked out of him.

Yet, Shouse and the bullpen blew it again. (That hesitation on the throw to first is why Soriano got nailed by Reed.) The only saving grace was that the Mariners bullpen decided they were envious of the derision thrown the Rangers's bullpen way. So, Everyday Eddie (hahaha, guffaw) decided to singlehandedly one-up Texas's awful bullpen performance.

I was flipping between the Masters (Tiger looks scary if I'm DiMarco, no?) and the Texas game saying, "I wonder if they could pull it out. Nah. Let's watch Tiger." Soriano got on with the error (right through the legs!). Then, Blalock hit a screamer that was begging to go foul; but it stayed fair. Down by one at that point. "Nah, they couldn't do it." Young singles. "Hmm. Teixeira's up. Maybe." pfft Ugly swing and a miss for the K. Then, Hidalgo comes up and bam see ya. Up by one.

Cordero didn't make it look easy though in the bottom of the 9th. Yet, he held on for the save. ("Oh, no. Beltre.")

I'll take it.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 4: The bullpen blows it.

I was out last night, but I was able to catch the bullpen blowup in the bottom of the 8th by the Rangers. Wasn't much fun. Not much more to say.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 3: Signs of things to come.

I wasn't able to post last night since the network connection from my apartment is spotty. Grr.

Anyhow, another good game. For a time there, the Rangers looked like they were going to be blown out as Young was shaky. However, things settled down and they clawed back - eventually forcing the Angels to win it in the bottom of the ninth.

Gonzalez finally got the start at DH last night, and he had a terrific 15 or so pitch at-bat against Lackey. Until then, Lackey was on cruise control; but, after the Gonzalez AB, he just melted.

Soriano continued his "poor defense, great offense" strategy. Pfft.

Even though they are 1-2, I think there's reason for optimism.

Bring on the Mariners.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 2: A likely parable for a season.

I think the lesson from the 12-inning marathon victory tonight is as follows...

We will live by the home run. Small ball just isn't the Rangers style. The hitters don't know how to advance runners yet: too many runners get stranded.

The starting pitching tandem of Drese and Rogers might hold up. Couldn't really ask for more. (Another inning from Rogers perhaps, but geesh.) See how Young does tomorrow night.

The bullpen did an okay job with the exception of Cordero blowing the save in the 9th. Yah, but, he did get out of the bases-loaded jam in the bottom of 8th. I'm not really worried about Cordero though - he'll do fine in the long run.

What's the point of having a bench if you don't use it? Buck sure knows how to use lots of pitchers, but why not pinch hit for some of the weaker hitters (yes, I mean you Gary Matthews and Rod Barajas). Scioscia used his bench fairly well tonight - did Buck sub any hitter? No. Yikes!

The baserunning was ridiculous again. I believe it was Young got thrown out on an overslide (when he shouldn't have been running to begin with!), and Matthews made an out a home that was just silly.

The defense was scary bad. Mench flat-out misjudged the fly ball from Guerrero in the bottom of the 1st. He ran in, then started to run back. Ouch. Soriano is going to continue to be an adventure at 2nd. The mess in the 8th inning wouldn't have happened if Soriano hadn't bobbled the ball. Barajas also had an error on the throw to second. Teams just don't usually win by giving the other side extra outs.

On the token about giving the other side extra outs, I'm not sure I'm a fan of sacrifice bunting. Giving the other team one less out they have to work for is absurd. My dad and I chatted about the merits of 'Billy Ball' - screw the bunt. The out is more precious than moving the runners around when they might be likely to do that anyway. As Billy said, "You only have 27 precious outs."

Yet, Soriano redeemed himself with the homer. However, at that point, I wasn't sure who was left in the bullpen. Luckily, Shouse held on.

And, the Rangers are 1-1. Rubber match tomorrow night.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Game 1: Advice for Buck.

Me at the ballpark:

Pictures from Game 1

A piece of friendly advice to Buck: Don't pitch to Vlad with anyone on if it is close. Seriously. He wasn't the AL MVP for nothing. Dare Anderson to beat you. Perhaps he might too. Yes, you might be tempted to challenge Vlad because he swings at everything, but haven't you figured out that he hits everything? (Unlike Soriano!) It's a stroke of luck that the double didn't go over the fence. It was hit almost as hard as the home run. I just went, "Oh no. Don't pitch to him here." Then, bam, double to left-center. Tie broken. sigh

Drese pitched extremely well. If he continues to pitch like that, I'll take it. At one point, I think he retired 15 straight batters. Nice. Too bad he had to face Guerrero.

Colon was typical: shaky at first, but since the Rangers didn't run him to the showers early, he settled down and got his 110 pitches in. The Rangers had their chances to blow the game open (runners on third in the 1st and 2nd and no one in? Come on!) and failed to capitalize.

Frankie was good in the 9th. Made Barajas look silly. Got Sori and Blalock to induce into weak little outs. Yet, he was mainly throwing 80mph sliders from what we could tell. Either he wasn't comfortable with his fastball or he was confident enough that he didn't need the fastball to get them out. I'd guess the latter. (I hope to see Cordero before they leave town!)

Teixeira was good. I hope John Hart realizes what he's got and doesn't let him go away. Interesting note: the HR that Mark hit was one section to my left and about 15 rows down from where we were sitting. Yet, even with as few Rangers fans in attendance, the ball ended up in the hands of a woman wearing a Texas hat. Oh what fun she had when the crowd wanted her to throw the ball back and she kept waving her T hat. Justice.

Absolutely silly move by Matthews to try to stretch a single into a double that eventually turned into the 2nd out of the inning. I didn't see if he went on his own or whether the first base coach was at fault. Yet, he shouldn't have tried. The Rangers needed base runners (as Colon was starting to get near his pitch count) and they just gave the Angels a free out. Well, in addition to leaving so many runners on base in the first few innings.

On that same token, the Angels are remarkably effective of getting runners home while the Rangers don't seem to have figured that out yet. (At one point, I think it was 8 LOB for the Rangers and 2 for the Angels. 3-1 at that point, if I remember right.)

And, yes, I applauded Vlad when he was announced before the game. This guy is flat out great and not applauding what he does is inane. No shame in that (even as I was wearing my Texas regalia). And, Vlad's probably due to get even more respect this year. More managers are going to wish they had taken my advice by the time the year is out.

Anyhow, game two tomorrow night. Washburn vs. Rogers. I doubt it'll be as low-scoring as tonight's game was.

Best sign: Where in Los Angeles is Anaheim? chuckle

Last thought: the jets in the flyover during the anthem were incredibly low and loud. Neat.

[/sports/rangers/2005] permanent link

Opening Day is today!

I'll be at the ballpark tonight for Opening Day with my Rangers opening the season against the Angels. Once again, I'll be one of the few folks wearing blue amidst the sea of red. Oh well.

The Angels red still perturbs me since the Rangers wore red when TBIA was opened in 1994. Of course, I was there for opening series at TBIA against the Brew-ha-ha-ha-has (back when they were in the AL). I have my tickets framed over my desk. The Angels just copied the Rangers, or so I tell myself. But, why didn't the Rangers copy their World Series victory? Gah!

I'll be at all the Rangers games at Angel Stadium this week. Yay!

Go Rangers!

Some hopes on the cusp of the new season:

• I hope Mark Teixeira has a breakout year. Whatever position he plays...
• I hope Orel works his magic on Matt Riley.
• I hope Hart gets a decent return for Soriano. (Pitchers or outfielders anyone?)
• I hope Frank F. throws baseballs better than chairs this year.
• I hope Ryan Drese pitches like it was 2004. (cross fingers)
• I hope Richard Hidalgo likes playing in TBIA. (Could we have any worse OF production than we got with Brian Jordan last year???)
• I hope Kenny Rogers pitches like it was 1995, again. (pray hard)
• I hope Hicks is forced to eat Chan-Ho-Ho-Ho That One's Gone Over The Fence's salary. Fitting on so many levels. (pray really hard)
• I hope Chris Young does not wish he was playing basketball instead.
• I hope Laird gets a real shot to be catcher again at the MLB level.
• I hope Coco saves even more games than last year.
• I hope that by September Ian Kinsler makes me forget about Soriano and A-Rod.
• I hope that this year they are in through the last week of the season like last year.

No opinions offered on how likely these are from this dreamer...

[/sports/rangers] permanent link

We're big. We swear!

Mark Teixeira says: "That (payroll) should not be an issue for us. We aren't Oakland or Minnesota. We are in a top market. If our organization does its part, and we do ours on the field, the fans will support us."

And, Texas Rangers blog comments, "That last part is the key thing. Teixeira is right...this is a big market team. While it shouldn't have payroll up there with the Yankees and Red Sox, it should at least be on the fringes of the top 10, given the stadium revenue and local media deals."

Right on. There's zero excuse for the Rangers to have a payroll of $53 million. The Angels have what over $100 million. The A's have a low payroll, but they don't try to say, "We plan have a payroll of $70 million." - they are doing their best be creative with their payroll. And, the Mariners are currently a ship up a creek without a paddle. (Ooooh, Richie Sexson scares me. Not. Beltre's okay, but I just don't see him repeating his career year.)

As I've said before, Recall Hicks. The Mavericks and Cowboys don't consider themselves to be in a small-market. Why the heck should the Rangers? It's out of Hicks's own idiocy and him and Hart blaming the fans is the absolute wrong thing to do.

If they trade Teixeira due to "financial hardship", that's going to bitter. Instead, they should be going hard after someone like a Sweeney from KC. The fans aren't stupid - they want to see a good faith effort.

If you build a good product, the fans will come. Heck, I've got season tickets to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim de los California de Santa Ana this year. (What a stupid name. We're in Orange County not LA.)

Opening day is about a month away...Yay! Hopefully, the Angels will open with a three-game losing streak. =)

[/sports/rangers] permanent link