9/1/07 game day thread

by Adam J. Morris on Sep 1, 2007 2:11 PM CDT in News Comment 111 comments

The first day of the last month of the regular season.

Edinson Volquez v. Kelvim Escobar...

Thanks to Fox and their exclusive rights, I don't get to see the game today, since the Mets/Braves game is being televised.

So someone will have to tell me how Volquez looks today.

Go Rangers.

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where does Adam live?

im getting it, but i live in dallas.....so....

by slash on Sep 1, 2007 2:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Houston

"Sharky reminds me of Belushi's speech in Animal House where he says the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor." -tball

by RangerMoto on Sep 1, 2007 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Houston is considered part of the Rangers home territory by MLB, despite the presence of the Astros. However, because the Astros are far and away the team of choice here, there are no local broadcasts of the Rangers games.

So, as a way to deal with the lack of local broadcasts, we could just subscribe to MLB Extra Innings, right? Well, no we can't because the Rangers games are blacked-out on Extra Innings because we are supposedly in the Rangers home territory.

Then, despite being part of the home territory, we don't get games like today's because they show the NL games due to the Astros.

It's a complete joke.

by Darrell McKown on Sep 1, 2007 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its college gameday

hardly anyone will watch this game

Sooners Baby!

by OkieFromMuskogee on Sep 1, 2007 2:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Interesting fact

Ian Kinsler is Jewish. Didn't know that...

by a bebop a rebop on Sep 1, 2007 3:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

kinsler

guessing you saw the salon.com article that was on digg

Can you please Look into getting a less funny signature? That's sarcasm, btw. - Sharky

by rentz on Sep 1, 2007 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

caught it on BBTF actually

Although I don't understand how he makes the list ahead of Mike "Superjew" Epstein...

by a bebop a rebop on Sep 1, 2007 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

'nother Interesting Fact

I forgot today was Volqueso Day. Yeehaw!

by a bebop a rebop on Sep 1, 2007 3:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh my god

Ctrl - V

by Dustin on Sep 1, 2007 3:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Volquez

Needs to keep the ball down

by coolaid on Sep 1, 2007 3:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Fastball

Still leaving it up too much, but it had life.

Two sick changeups to Vlad, too. Does he have a breaking pitch?

by rubbersoul103 on Sep 1, 2007 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he has

a Curve but not a ML quality pitch.

by coolaid on Sep 1, 2007 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Niiice...

Great first inning.

"Die as a tiger, or live as a pussy."

by miles on Sep 1, 2007 3:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

On my TV...

Volquez' fastballs were popping the catcher's mitt with a loud, resounding "whap".

by TedFord on Sep 1, 2007 3:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Murph!!

The Man!

by TedFord on Sep 1, 2007 3:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

MURPH!!!

Needs to play everyday!!

by BillyBobisdrunk on Sep 1, 2007 3:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

come on Salty

by BillyBobisdrunk on Sep 1, 2007 3:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Beautiful, Kinsler

That's a leadoff man.

by a bebop a rebop on Sep 1, 2007 3:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

granny no!!!!!!!!!

by BillyBobisdrunk on Sep 1, 2007 3:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Byrd in CF

Murph in left. Is Byrd really a better defender? I don't get to watch enough to know...

by a bebop a rebop on Sep 1, 2007 3:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think

they're pretty close, Murphy gets better reads, Byrd has better footspeed. Both hustles.

by FirebatM3 on Sep 1, 2007 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

M's lose their 8th in a row

by Adam J. Morris on Sep 1, 2007 3:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

And the Rangers...

started their slide.

by TedFord on Sep 1, 2007 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

murphy

that was a great throw, but man salphabet just couldnt get to it.

Can you please Look into getting a less funny signature? That's sarcasm, btw. - Sharky

by rentz on Sep 1, 2007 3:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

that throw...

...looked like it hit kendry morales before he slid into the plate...

what's the rule on that? shouldn't he have been out?

by oc on Sep 1, 2007 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No

You are only out when hit by a batted ball.

Time does funny things. The worst of which is, it keeps moving when you don't.

by Ed Coffin on Sep 1, 2007 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Salty

Do you prefer him catching or at first base?

by BillyBobisdrunk on Sep 1, 2007 3:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

A Hunter discussion

Could see him in Arlington next year. Mark Grace says it's a good idea.

by BillyBobisdrunk on Sep 1, 2007 3:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It

must be a great idea, then.

"No team has any major strengths as all NFL players are roughly the same. If you cant run on third and one it isn't because of your players." - Sharky

by Chase Irwin on Sep 1, 2007 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

all hail mark grace!

Can you please Look into getting a less funny signature? That's sarcasm, btw. - Sharky

by rentz on Sep 1, 2007 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

is that sarcasm?

cause Mark Grace's word should be law...

"No, Donny, these men are nihilists, there's nothing to be afraid of."

by Walter Sobchak on Sep 1, 2007 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes, it is

the thought that hunter should be signed because mark grace says so is just asinine

Can you please Look into getting a less funny signature? That's sarcasm, btw. - Sharky

by rentz on Sep 1, 2007 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

look

if Mark Grace told me to shave my body hair, grease up and run backwards through cornfields, I'd be in a world of pain right now. that's all I'm saying.

"No, Donny, these men are nihilists, there's nothing to be afraid of."

by Walter Sobchak on Sep 2, 2007 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

In the abstract, it is fine

When you consider it will likely take something like 6 years, $90 million to land him, and when you consider he'll be in his mid-30s and isn't going to be a quality middle-of-the-order hitter, it becomes a bad idea.

by Adam J. Morris on Sep 1, 2007 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

90 mil?

way too much for Hunter.

by BillyBobisdrunk on Sep 1, 2007 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

but he will get that, and maybe more.

Can you please Look into getting a less funny signature? That's sarcasm, btw. - Sharky

by rentz on Sep 1, 2007 4:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Escobar

Geez, he looks terrible today.

by rubbersoul103 on Sep 1, 2007 3:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

65 pitches

without any outs in the 3rd inning ...

"No team has any major strengths as all NFL players are roughly the same. If you cant run on third and one it isn't because of your players." - Sharky

by Chase Irwin on Sep 1, 2007 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Movie plug ...

... The Lives of Others - http://imdb.com/title/tt0405094/

2007 Academy Award for best foreign film

veelly veelly goot

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Sep 1, 2007 3:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well...

The first keyword on the IMDB page is "male rear nudity," so you know it will be good.

by Adam J. Morris on Sep 1, 2007 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Commie butt ...

... the hottest kind, Jack.

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Sep 1, 2007 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Veelly goot indeet

Though, I thought Pan's Labyrinth should've won the Oscar. One of my favorite films of the decade so far. But the Oscars are a joke anyway.

by rubbersoul103 on Sep 1, 2007 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Escobar

He gone!!!

by BillyBobisdrunk on Sep 1, 2007 4:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We must have caught him

on a lucky day. Even with this terrible outing, his ERA is still under 3.00 on the year (2.99).

"No team has any major strengths as all NFL players are roughly the same. If you cant run on third and one it isn't because of your players." - Sharky

by Chase Irwin on Sep 1, 2007 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

UN-FRICKIN'-BELIEVABLE!

...we knock out around one of the top pitchers in the league...

five runs in 2 and 2/3rds...

... man, the guys are just seeing the ball very well at the plate today...

by oc on Sep 1, 2007 4:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Good day

It's been a great day for me so far:

Liverpool smashed Derby County, 6-0
had to take my car to the dealership regarding a recall notice, which turned out to not need fixing after all
the Rangers knock Escobar out in the 3rd

"Then I met some friends for a beer, went to a BoDeans's concert, and son of a vondruke, if I didn't leave him at the concert hall."

by RCCook on Sep 1, 2007 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

who scored for liverpool?

by oc on Sep 1, 2007 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So... If Botts is still hitting .210 or less

When the season is over, what do the Rangers do with him?

by hiafex on Sep 1, 2007 4:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

we've discussed this at least

once every gameday thread.

by FirebatM3 on Sep 1, 2007 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's your point?

The discussions will stop when he makes decent contact and, ya know... hits the ball in play or something.

by hiafex on Sep 1, 2007 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm saying

that when we've discussed the issue 50+ times, you should probably have a good idea where everyone stands on the issue. I'm saying that at this point, it's no longer discussion and is simply repetition. If you want to bash Botts, just come out and do it.

by FirebatM3 on Sep 1, 2007 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry if I have a life

And am a little busy to go through all of the game-day threads to see what the fans have to say about Botts.

by hiafex on Sep 1, 2007 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Probably...

...see if he clears waivers around April 1...

by Adam J. Morris on Sep 1, 2007 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not much to do

...have him work really hard in the winter and see what he does in the Spring. If he doesn't perform then, send him to AAA and let him tear it up a while before trading him for a spare part.

Ctrl - V

by Dustin on Sep 1, 2007 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

release him and resign Sosa

by BillyBobisdrunk on Sep 1, 2007 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

EV

no smiles or smirks, no rolling of the eyes or shoulder-shrugs, no strutting, no chest-puffing - very business-like
He's got good face - if I can coin a phrase.

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Sep 1, 2007 4:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

you know...

...those are excellent points...

in previous starts, you could kinda tell by his posture and mannerisms that he was thinking too hard.

other than the fact that he's over-chewing his bubble-gum... he looks focused.

by oc on Sep 1, 2007 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reminds me of me...

...in the OF.

Ctrl - V

by Dustin on Sep 1, 2007 4:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Paging Torri Hunter

I am kidding...just had to say it.

by simbaa on Sep 1, 2007 4:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

adam...

...eddy-v so far...

looked very sharp in the first...

second inning... gave up a basehit up the middle to morales... then a walk...

i'm guessing you want to know how he looked with two runners on... mark grace made a comment on the telecast that he's obviously a little more nervous with runners on... his first pitch to kendricks was a wild fastball high and tight. his next pitch, kendricks slapped into left for a basehit...

but he came back and got a ground-out to end the inning...

he's made Vlady look bad swinging on a couple of change ups...

his command looks focused... definetely not as wild as in previous big-league outings...

that's my report so far.

by oc on Sep 1, 2007 4:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Was that Vlad

double the first hard hit ball against Eddy?

"No team has any major strengths as all NFL players are roughly the same. If you cant run on third and one it isn't because of your players." - Sharky

by Chase Irwin on Sep 1, 2007 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

one hard-hit flyout in the 1st

by a bebop a rebop on Sep 1, 2007 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Vlad hit a pop-up to CF

That Byrd couldn't find through the sun-light.
The hardest ball hit was probably the single that Kendrick hit to drive in the Angels run.

by hiafex on Sep 1, 2007 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes sir...

...the other basehit was just a little knock up the middle by morales... not hit hard...

by oc on Sep 1, 2007 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wasn't hard hit at all

it was a pop up byrd should have caught, if not for the sun in his eyes

Good Call!!!

12-7

by mdickson on Sep 1, 2007 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That Double

was a routine flyball to centerfield

by stoney022 on Sep 1, 2007 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Everbody do the Byrd at your computer

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Sep 1, 2007 4:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

one of my friends did the byrd the other day

i threw a chair at him.

by DSheppard on Sep 1, 2007 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So you did

the Francisco instead?

by FirebatM3 on Sep 1, 2007 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ha-ha!

well done, sir.

by oc on Sep 1, 2007 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

HAH!

awesome.

"No, Donny, these men are nihilists, there's nothing to be afraid of."

by Walter Sobchak on Sep 1, 2007 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Come on EV

by coolaid on Sep 1, 2007 4:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

How close is Volquez

to the strike zone?

Has his command really changed that much?

Put Mayberry Jr. back at First Base.

by Jukebox Joe on Sep 1, 2007 4:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That changeup

isn't getting over for a strike right now.

by FirebatM3 on Sep 1, 2007 4:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Is anyone else

Fed up to the gills with the NFL talk and frames of future coverage? Somewhere in the background, there is a baseball game going on.

Time does funny things. The worst of which is, it keeps moving when you don't.

by Ed Coffin on Sep 1, 2007 4:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

good god, yes...

...josh is trying to keep the game relevant.

by oc on Sep 1, 2007 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok

so Mathias and Kendricks both got blown away by Fastballs. Why not call a fastball in that situation?

by FirebatM3 on Sep 1, 2007 4:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Couldn't be more pleased w/Volquez

Showing stuff and, more importantly, poise. He looks like he belongs. What a boost to the pitching staff!

by TedFord on Sep 1, 2007 4:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

wow

I'm a little behind cause I'm DVRing this, but Volquez looks GREAT so far. I chose to watch this instead of college football and I'm glad I did. He's really doing well against the best team in baseball...

"No, Donny, these men are nihilists, there's nothing to be afraid of."

by Walter Sobchak on Sep 1, 2007 4:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Chris Davis

Back in the Frisco line-up.

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Sep 1, 2007 4:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

good job eddy...

...with runners on third and second and one out, he gets mathis to foul off three or four fastballs... then pop out...

and then gets matthews jr. looking... on three good pitches.

seems that bottom half of the order is getting to him. but, so far, he's handling pressure situations reasonably well...

by oc on Sep 1, 2007 4:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

good throw Cruz

geez, just throw it to second

by BillyBobisdrunk on Sep 1, 2007 5:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Good for you, EV

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Sep 1, 2007 5:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

this is pretty encouraging...

...he's getting into jams... but he's also getting out of them...

in each of their one run innings... the angels have stranded two runners...

with two outs... and one out...

the first two reach in the fifth, and only one scored.

by oc on Sep 1, 2007 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Impressed

Volquez is handling pressure. I wanted to see that, and wasn't sure we would.

Time does funny things. The worst of which is, it keeps moving when you don't.

by Ed Coffin on Sep 1, 2007 5:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

indeed...

...and it's good to see him do it against this lineup...

by oc on Sep 1, 2007 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Glad to see...

EV make it through five innings on track for the win.

I wouldn't recommend sending him out for the 6th inning, though.

by Inkara1 on Sep 1, 2007 5:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Matchups

Are weird things. Josh and Grace talking during Young's AB as though his getting the run in was a sure thing. Well, MY's career BA against Bootchek is (was) a glittering .167 and sinking.

Matchups.

Time does funny things. The worst of which is, it keeps moving when you don't.

by Ed Coffin on Sep 1, 2007 5:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Over/Under on Rangers KO's 2day

11 thru 6 innings.

Comes out to 16.5 thru 9.

I'll take the over.

Put Mayberry Jr. back at First Base.

by Jukebox Joe on Sep 1, 2007 5:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

lewin

talks too damn much

by kaiser on Sep 1, 2007 5:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

EDDY-V

5 IP
7 H
3 R
3 ER
2 BB
4 K

94 NP
60 ST

...pitched his way out of some jams... very encouraging... still need to see more of him... but, he handled himself very well today.

by oc on Sep 1, 2007 5:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Kinsler

Beast

by Adam J. Morris on Sep 1, 2007 5:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

scott boras...

...is balding and has man-boobs.

by oc on Sep 1, 2007 6:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He is evil.

Did he really ask the Yankees if Arod could get some points from the revenues?

by BillyBobisdrunk on Sep 1, 2007 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lewin

If I was an angels fan I would be pissed that I was forced to listen to lewin's constant ranger talk.

Im watching this game and it doesnt feel like it's a national broadcast.

Can you please Look into getting a less funny signature? That's sarcasm, btw. - Sharky

by rentz on Sep 1, 2007 6:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

got a point

but is good the national audience gets to know the Rangers.

by BillyBobisdrunk on Sep 1, 2007 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's payback

Last year, they had a Rangers-Angels FOX Saturday telecast with Rex Hudler... he kissed the Angels' asses even more than he does on their regular telecasts. Think of this as payback.

by Inkara1 on Sep 1, 2007 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

i remember that broadcast and it was awful, which is what made me think of how bad this must be for angel fans

Can you please Look into getting a less funny signature? That's sarcasm, btw. - Sharky

by rentz on Sep 1, 2007 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or even worse

for Ranger fans stuck in southern California. Say what you will about Lewin; I was thrilled not to have to listen to Rex Hudler or Jose Mota for once.

by jimmyarctic on Sep 2, 2007 2:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs