Maybe I’m wrong but I think he’s at least in his 70’s.

How’s he going to hold up during a brutal summer of heat/

shit out of each other with incredible cheapshots that are year or career-ending and nothing is done.

Avery was trying to get under Phaneuf’s skin any way he could and was bringing a WWF element to a relatively who gives a rip, mid-week contest being played in Siberia.

Yes, very classless but really harmless. Avery had full intentions of playing the game and facing the music. Hicks is worried about the image of the team but had no problems signing a druggie like Sosa on the cheap.

Interesting that the Stars came together and won last night. I hope Avery gets harnessed enough by Hull to be here long-term but everybody interviewed sounded fairly disgusted by him.

but he didn’t reference spefically by name. That’s why this is an over reaction.

It is the first time I’ve ever heard an athlete utter the phrase “Sloppy Seconds.” That was a team name in a fantasy football league I played in from a returning champion.

Not just for past practice, but in a business sense.

True, you try to trim “the fat”, but that does not mean you necessarily just “cut expenses”. You control expenses and make sure each of those expenses is serving a true purpose.

No matter what you do, and no matter how difficult it is for “the Company and its employees”, you do NOT let that affect how the consumer feels about your product or service.

When times are tough economically, instead of everybody cowering down, it actually is the time to become more competitive for each consumer dollar. Instead of dumbing down your product or service, you make it more attractive to the consumer. When the going gets tough, market share becomes invaluable.

How do you gain market share? Take the necessary steps to ensure more people would want to give their money to you, instead of the competition.

Honestly, if the Rangers are really trying to weather the storm, there are better ways to do it than informing the public that they have nothing new or exciting to offer, because tough economic times are in full effect. To date, this model is not about market share, but about maintaining what you’ve got (much like the Rangers themselves). I believe there are at least two approaches to this that are certainly viable:

Hicks approach:
Due to economic concerns, we are not going to spend as much to improve our team for now and the future, to ensure we have enough cash on-hand for 2010-2011. In order to maintain, we might see a drop in attendance (again), and to offset that reduction in revenue, we might need to raise ticket, parking, concession, souvenir, etc. prices for the fans that will still stick with us. We must ride the storm out.

Better approach: Due to economic concerns, we understand that our fans may find it more difficult to enjoy Ranger games, so we are going to (either hold the line on tickets, concessions, parking, etc. or reduce parking, concessions, souvenirs, etc.), while we continue to build a strong foundation for the Rangers as we become more competitive. Then you make a few moves to generate a little fan excitement, even if it involves a perceived improvement with a pitcher like a couple homegrown guys who might do well for the next few years.

This will generate more market share (ie, more people willing to give their money for Rangers entertainment) than believing that there is EVEN ONE FAN who truly respects and admires some fiscal responsibility by Hicks/the Rangers.

And for those who think that dumbing down the product for one year, and that one year of cost cutting will prove valuable, they might want to study a little economic trending history.
A recession doesn’t necessarily last one year, and open up the coffers for the following years. Its impact can be felt for several years. Opening up the purse strings may not be any easier for the organization in 2010-2011, than it will be this year.

If it wasn’t for TV revenue, etc., the current approach by several small market teams would prove to be a failed business plan. They offer no hope to the consumer that their dollars are being used to the betterment of the product or EARNING their loyalty for the longterm.

Yes, the Rangers have made themselves a small market team, and this mindset is going to hurt them longterm with fan loyalty, no matter how wonderful the future looks because of all the great youngsters.

Fuck Soccer!

Thank you.

He should sell the Rangers. It makes me puke that Cuban was seriously trying to buy the Cubs, when it would have been so dreamy to have him purchase the Rangers instead.

Could you imagine Cuban as the Rangers owner?!

Not because of spending money stupidly, but his passion for building his product (team) and how free agents might want to start coming to Texas.

Could you imagine him going off on the umpire behind the plate….after EVERY pitch? That’s the only downfall to this notion.

Laird not as good as Barajas, even when Laird is having a good year?

Surely, you jest….