Friday a.m. things

by Adam J. Morris on Jun 13, 2008 9:36 AM CDT

Okay debut for Eric Hurley yesterday. I didn't get to watch the game, unfortunately, but Hurley threw strikes and didn't walk anyone. Richard Durrett mentions that allowing 12 flyouts to 3 groundouts is a concern, and I'd agree with that. Giving up two homers to the worst hitting team in baseball isn't great, either, but all in all, it was a pretty decent debut, it appears. And if Hurley is the next Rick Helling, a guy who throws strikes and keeps you in games while allowing a bunch of homers, then that is something you can live with.

Kevin Sherrington opines about the latest Milton Bradley incident and Bradley's past, and compares Bradley with Carl Everett, while suggesting the Rangers should trade Bradley for the type of return Everett garnered.

Gil LeBreton is more sympathetic, including a quote from Nolan Ryan about what a great teammate Bradley has been this year.

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Bradley

He’ll get you higher regarded players than Everett brought back.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Jun 13, 2008 9:40 AM CDT 0 recs

And think of what we got back for Everett

Although people may not agree after yesterday, we got 2 solid players in Frank Francisco and Josh Rupe.

"I'll take Clemens over Millwood and Padilla anyday.." - bosoxsiempregirl

^^^^ Wow, I would too. I guess that makes me the next John Schuerholtz.

LSB Facebook group ----->> http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33345329288

by hinduplaya on Jun 13, 2008 10:07 AM CDT up 0 recs

So at first hurley

was our stud #1 prospect and now as long as he can keep us in games we are supposed to be content? Bizarre….

by Agreen07 on Jun 13, 2008 9:44 AM CDT 0 recs

To go with Adam's Helling analogy

I was about to say that another Rick Helling couldn’t be a franchise savior, but then again, Rick Helling did win 20 games one year and took Texas to the playoffs…

I never got the hubbub about Hurley – to me a homer prone minor league career sounds exactly like the type of guy you don’t want in Texas. The advantage, I guess, is that he throws strikes and doesn’t walk too many people (none yesterday), so if those homers are all solo shots, I guess I don’t mind. One can argue that any pitcher is going to give up homers pitching in Texas, so we can live with that as long as he isn’t walking 6 guys a game like most of our pitchers do…

by JBImaknee on Jun 13, 2008 9:56 AM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah I mean

he’s only 22 and clearly has talent so it is too early to judge. But if he ends up simply being an inning eater with a career ERA+ of about 100-102 I won’t be happy considering how hyped up he has been.

by Agreen07 on Jun 13, 2008 10:43 AM CDT up 0 recs

Isn't it relative?

How many 3rd starter, usually winning, innings eaters have come up within the system and stayed to parlay it out? Call it pleased but short of excited, maybe.

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

by Ed Coffin on Jun 13, 2008 10:51 AM CDT up 0 recs

I would love it

if Hurley became a .520 winning percentage, innings eater 3rd starter.

by JBImaknee on Jun 13, 2008 11:44 AM CDT up 0 recs

So would I

but we are in the minority, considering how most people praised this guy for the last 3 years.

by Agreen07 on Jun 13, 2008 12:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

i've told you for the last year

that “most people” haven’t been praising him that much and “most people” saw him as a 2 or a 3. For the last year.

Are you just waiting for the chance to say I told you so?

Rare Gnats Sex

by ab03 on Jun 13, 2008 12:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

+1

He falls under the category of “unrealistic expectations.”

"Typical woman. 'Give me' 'Give me' 'Give me'

I’ll give ya something.

1. A backhand
2. A stuffing
3. $500 if you promise never to post here again"

~ The Immortal, BG

by Chase Irwin on Jun 13, 2008 12:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

exactly

I hope he can be a #1 SP, but I just think he might have been over hyped over the past year…hopefully, he is legit.

by Agreen07 on Jun 13, 2008 1:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

No...

Most people haven’t been praising him that much?

http://www.minorleagueball.com/story/2007/1/2/163248/3007
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/262987.html

by Agreen07 on Jun 13, 2008 1:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

Those are from

Dec 2006 and Jan 2007, 18 and 19 months ago. That does not qualify as “the last year.”

by zywica on Jun 13, 2008 7:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

if any of our young guys become solid #3's

id do…

"There is no reason for me to move to third base," Young said.
-FOTF 5/20/2008

"Well, we are one of the cheapest teams in Major League Baseball"
-Tom Hicks 4/8/2008

by Jayslick on Jun 13, 2008 1:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

i think

he has the potentioal to be an ace. i know what it is about him, maybe it was his compsure, his eagerness to pitch, his ability to throw strikes, or just his nasty stuff.

3 or 4 of his pitches in that game were just absolutey unhittable.

by nice hands on Jun 13, 2008 11:51 AM CDT up 0 recs

WWND

"Typical woman. 'Give me' 'Give me' 'Give me'

I’ll give ya something.

1. A backhand
2. A stuffing
3. $500 if you promise never to post here again"

~ The Immortal, BG

by Chase Irwin on Jun 13, 2008 9:58 AM CDT 0 recs

Bradley

I am not that enthused about trading him. Unless you can get a Gagne type package for him, I say hang on to him and extend him for 2 years until Borbon or Beltre is ready. He has been the best hitter in the AL so far this season and his track record suggest that, while he might not maintain this pace, he will be a very good offensive player when healthy. I can live with the suspensions and flame outs if he is productive.

Fire Ron Washington

by pblack on Jun 13, 2008 10:05 AM CDT 0 recs

Borbon or Beltre

what about JMJ? I think he’ll be here a little sooner and allow you to continue to play J32 in CF.

"Typical woman. 'Give me' 'Give me' 'Give me'

I’ll give ya something.

1. A backhand
2. A stuffing
3. $500 if you promise never to post here again"

~ The Immortal, BG

by Chase Irwin on Jun 13, 2008 10:08 AM CDT up 0 recs

I knew I was forgetting somebody

but I still like Bradley a lot.

Fire Ron Washington

by pblack on Jun 13, 2008 10:27 AM CDT up 0 recs

If he can "keep us in games"

.... I’ll take that right now with our offense. He’ll only get better and better.

There is no such thing as global warming. David Murphy was cold, so he turned the sun up.

by SarasotaRanger on Jun 13, 2008 10:18 AM CDT 0 recs

Hurley...

I was worried in the first inning when he couldn’t hit 90 with his fastball. As his velocity picked up he looked much better. His slider looked great at times, as did his change.

I think we still have to be realistic about Hurley, many here are by feeling like getting a #3 starter out of him long term would be nice. We also have to remember he is only 22 years old. I really didn’t get that impression from him on the mound yesterday. He seemed to hold his composure well out there and not get rattled after the 2 HR’s. I hope that keeps up because I think that he will be giving up quite a few more. It would be very nice to see a solid young starter in the rotation who continues to improve.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Jun 13, 2008 10:37 AM CDT 1 recs

Hurley

The most interesting thing about his career will be seeing whether he becomes more of a groundballer.

Otherwise, yeah, it’s probably Rick Helling with a better hit rate. Not without its charm…

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Jun 13, 2008 11:17 AM CDT up 0 recs

Bradley

the more I think about him, the more I’d like to extend him for a couple years. He’s had an OPS+ over 100 since 2003, he’s only 30 and he walks a lot which fits into the strategy. He’s had durability issues for the last three years, but again, he’s only 30. He may be volatile on the field, but it seems he has no off-field issues. If I remember, he’s won at least one award for community service.

JD drinks the Angels milkshake.

by WyoRanger on Jun 13, 2008 11:20 AM CDT 0 recs

i go back and forth with Bradley

like Newberg, i’d love to see him here for the next few years. but if he can bring in some desperately needed pitching….

by SteveP on Jun 13, 2008 11:23 AM CDT 0 recs

bradley for mvp!

http://www.buchanan4pres2008.org/
NIXON: NOW MORE THAN EVER

by gossamer on Jun 13, 2008 11:26 AM CDT 0 recs

sherrington

doesn’t it seem like he’s on the path to being the next galloway?

Rare Gnats Sex

by ab03 on Jun 13, 2008 12:21 PM CDT 0 recs

yeah i read part of his article

and it screamed “bitter old man article”

"There is no reason for me to move to third base," Young said.
-FOTF 5/20/2008

"Well, we are one of the cheapest teams in Major League Baseball"
-Tom Hicks 4/8/2008

by Jayslick on Jun 13, 2008 12:43 PM CDT up 0 recs

I emailed him about an objection I had to one of his comments

I was polite about it (really I was).

He sent me a rather lengthy reply the next day. He was polite as well, but the underlying tone seemed to be seasoned with hints of annoyance.

One of his main points was that he has been alot less hard on JD and the Rangers than the Fort Worth writers.

Don't knock masturbation, it's sex with someone I love .

by Brian Thomas on Jun 13, 2008 1:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

F him

And F you for trying to be reasonable.

by brettgardner on Jun 13, 2008 4:47 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well OK then

Don't knock masturbation, it's sex with someone I love .

by Brian Thomas on Jun 13, 2008 9:43 PM CDT up 0 recs

Bradley's thing

Evan Grant is on Charlie Steiner’s show on XM Radio right now to talk about Milt’s thing in KC.

JD drinks the Angels milkshake.

by WyoRanger on Jun 13, 2008 12:34 PM CDT 0 recs

The interview

Charlie: thinks it’s odd that JD intercepted Milt. EG notes that when JD travels with team, he goes to the clubhouse right after games so maybe heard that Milt was going upstairs. Doesn’t really know.
EG: corrected Charlie’s description that Milt was “enraged.”
EG: thinks Milt wanted to have a conversation with the announcer, not necessarily a confrontation.
Now they’re playing the audio of what KC announcer said: Milt has no control over himself. Nation has embraced Hamilton and would like to embrace Milt, but Milt will have nothing to do with it (first time I heard the comments). Kinda crappy statement about Milt.
EG: announcer, if he’s going to take that critical a view of Milt, owes it to find more out about him prior to saying things like that; i.e. get his side of the story.
Charlie: some teams walked on eggshells around Milt.
EG: Milt may feel more comfortable in Texas than other cities.
EG: this story is over for the Rangers and Milt. Might be different being in NY with their media and fans. We’ll see.

JD drinks the Angels milkshake.

by WyoRanger on Jun 13, 2008 12:47 PM CDT up 0 recs

thanks

Rare Gnats Sex

by ab03 on Jun 13, 2008 12:49 PM CDT up 0 recs

Here's what the KC announcer said

"Here’s a guy, with all the troubles he’s had, has shown that if you work at it, you can get your life back in order," Lefevbre said on the telecast Wednesday, referring to Hamilton. "And that would be a pretty good role model for Milton Bradley, who clearly has no control over himself, because it’s the same thing year after year. This game, this country, really if you follow baseball, has really embraced Josh Hamilton. I think they’ve wanted to do the same with Milton Bradley, but Milton Bradley has refused to allow himself to be put in that position."

JD drinks the Angels milkshake.

by WyoRanger on Jun 13, 2008 2:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

KC Announcer

The guy is a fool. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard any of Bradley’s current or former teammates say anything bad about him, and who gives a shit anyway? This is a new city. He’s conducting himself pretty well. A couple of times he’s broken bats over his knee which you have to think is a little hard on the femur, but it probably makes the other team a little uneasy. Let him have the reputation that he could become totally unhinged at any moment. As long as he doesn’t, that’s a good thing.

I like the guy. I like the way he approaches hitting. And every time I see him in the dugout on TV he’s laughing or smiling. So screw everybody else.

by Black Francis on Jun 13, 2008 5:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

OT-Clinton and the floods

Just curious with all the flooding in Iowa lately how is Clinton doing? I just looked at the map and Clinton is not far from Cedar Rapids where the river overflowed the levees yesterday. Just curious if anyone had heard how Clinton is doing and if they are in the same predicament most of the rest of the state is in?

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jun 13, 2008 12:51 PM CDT 0 recs

Clinton

They are on the Mississippi and I don’t think it is as high as the other rivers in the state, so they should be alright.

Fire Ron Washington

by pblack on Jun 13, 2008 1:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

Okay so far.

The Cedar River (which flooded the worst) drains into the Mississippi well downstream of Clinton. The Kernels happened to be out of town right now, and the city is using the stadium as a command post for flood operations.

The Quad Cities (also downstream) have been hit pretty hard too.

Love of God and compassion and empathy leads you to a very glorious place, and science leads you to killing people. -- Ben Stein

by Lucas on Jun 13, 2008 2:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'm pretty sure

She lost.

Tommy.

by brettgardner on Jun 13, 2008 4:47 PM CDT up 0 recs

Best analysis so far:

When she lost. A consoling Bill pats her on the shoulder, both tucked in for a good night’s sleep, and Bill says “Close, but no cigar”.

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

by Ed Coffin on Jun 13, 2008 5:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

Genius...as usual, Ed.

"lol " - CI

by Clueless on Jun 13, 2008 6:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hurley's debut

For those that didn’t see it:

He was clearly very nervous the first 2 innings or so. Really nervous. Hopefully, that’s why the FB was 88-89. Although, like Lake-o-sodium said, he definitely didn’t seem to be rattled by the homers. And all the other fly balls were not even close to the track.

His slider is as advertised, a real weapon. He seemed to grow more confident with it as the game went on. And he had his FB regulary at 92 later in the game, which alleviated some of my early concerns.

And his wife appeared twice as nervous as he was…

Don't knock masturbation, it's sex with someone I love .

by Brian Thomas on Jun 13, 2008 1:13 PM CDT 0 recs

Slider

Is that what he was using on that late Gordon strikeout?

I liked the microstory of those at-bats. Hurley did not let Gordon get the better of him.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Jun 13, 2008 1:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yes. Most of his Ks were from the slider...

Don't knock masturbation, it's sex with someone I love .

by Brian Thomas on Jun 13, 2008 1:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

Cool, thanks.

"Typical woman. 'Give me' 'Give me' 'Give me'

I’ll give ya something.

1. A backhand
2. A stuffing
3. $500 if you promise never to post here again"

~ The Immortal, BG

by Chase Irwin on Jun 13, 2008 1:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

I thought...

...Hurley was a mid to upper 90’s guy, and when I saw those radar gun readings from the first couple of innings I was sort of surprised.

He seldom gave them the middle of the plate, though, and that slider is pretty good. I think he’s the kind of guy that can’t live with a fastball in the upper 80’s. Needs a little more than that. It’ll be interesting to see what happens when he faces a team with more than a couple big league hitters on it.

by Black Francis on Jun 13, 2008 5:30 PM CDT up 0 recs