Hank Blalock, third baseman

Geez...

No matter how many hints a guy drops… Recapping the math…

“Chris Davis is safe. Chris Davis is safe.” + Hank Blalock didn’t play 1B last night = Hank Blalock is a 3B again.

by NoNameOnCard on Jul 17, 2008 4:37 PM CDT 0 recs

then why didnt he play 3b last night?

"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg

by rentz on Jul 17, 2008 4:38 PM CDT up 0 recs

Read Wilson's article.

by NoNameOnCard on Jul 17, 2008 4:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

just did

right after posting, still doesnt explain why they put him at dh vs 3b.
just that they made the decision to move him and decided to play him at dh.

"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg

by rentz on Jul 17, 2008 4:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

They

did not want him playing on a wet surface, either at 3rd or 1st.

by sftxfan on Jul 17, 2008 4:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

He played DH because they wanted him to.

That’s it.

by NoNameOnCard on Jul 17, 2008 4:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

hey i caught your hint!!!

"Do they know who I am? Do they know my status? Thats what I thought."
-Miles 6/21/08

.501 or bust!

by Jayslick on Jul 17, 2008 4:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

Great!

This opens up many more trade possibilities.

And thus begins the Fall of the Ramon Empire…

"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
"If you ain't got no money, ain't nobody calls you honey," Bo Diddley

by Rodney on Jul 17, 2008 4:38 PM CDT 0 recs

Oh yeah

AYFKM????

"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
"If you ain't got no money, ain't nobody calls you honey," Bo Diddley

by Rodney on Jul 17, 2008 4:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

Twins

Blalock + for Liriano?

"An effortless 98" - Scott Gardner after Neftali Feliz's first AA pitch

by RangerMad on Jul 17, 2008 4:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

lol

Wake up, wake up, WAKE UP!

"Would you mind walking a time or two so I could drive in some runs"? Milton Bradley

by boomer1 on Jul 17, 2008 4:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

+++++++++

not Blalock FOR Liriano!

"An effortless 98" - Scott Gardner after Neftali Feliz's first AA pitch

by RangerMad on Jul 17, 2008 5:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

Unless the plus is Feliz or Davis, they are not answering the Rangers phone calls

by uthornfan on Jul 17, 2008 5:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

we have enough prospects to where i dont think that is a totally accurate statement.

by tyd3311 on Jul 17, 2008 5:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

you guys are all retards

that was a previous offer that we demanded when hanks name was brought up by the twins supposedly by managment.

"Do they know who I am? Do they know my status? Thats what I thought."
-Miles 6/21/08

.501 or bust!

by Jayslick on Jul 17, 2008 5:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

sure...

...i’ll take a hit of your doob…

by oc on Jul 17, 2008 5:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hah

wow.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 17, 2008 5:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

"That'd be selling high on Liriano."

-Excel Hearts Choi

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Jul 18, 2008 12:34 AM CDT up 0 recs

Good grief

Let me have a diablo sandwich, a Dr. Pepper, and make it fast I'm in a God damned hurry!

by DaheelzCM on Jul 17, 2008 4:38 PM CDT 0 recs

Hank at 3rd

I like this situation much better. I think CD needs to stay in the majors and I understand the career year that Vazquez is having, but I consider him a backup. I think everyone, especially the Rangers, wins in this situation.

by Chris Hanes on Jul 17, 2008 4:39 PM CDT 0 recs

YAY!!!

This make the Rangers a better team. Keeping Davis at 1b and Hank at 3b.

"Would you mind walking a time or two so I could drive in some runs"? Milton Bradley

by boomer1 on Jul 17, 2008 4:39 PM CDT 0 recs

Can he throw?

Or will he need to use the pitcher as a cut off man?

Let me have a diablo sandwich, a Dr. Pepper, and make it fast I'm in a God damned hurry!

by DaheelzCM on Jul 17, 2008 4:40 PM CDT 3 recs

throwing

everything i’ve seen about him not being able to throw has been pure speculation

"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg

by rentz on Jul 17, 2008 4:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

actually..

thats kinda funny.

by tyd3311 on Jul 17, 2008 4:49 PM CDT up 0 recs

man

that was good, I had people come by asking me what I was laughing at

by corbsclinton on Jul 17, 2008 5:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

That

Was the funniest post you have made in… in… well, I was going to say in a long time, but I think it may be ever.

+ rec.

A Lonestar in California

Classic iorange555: "lmao too bad i watched [the all-star game] at a friends house ;[ much funer on here"

by lonestarJon on Jul 18, 2008 4:26 AM CDT up 0 recs

Validation from Baseball Jesus

I can die happy now.

Let me have a diablo sandwich, a Dr. Pepper, and make it fast I'm in a God damned hurry!

by DaheelzCM on Jul 18, 2008 6:03 AM CDT up 0 recs

HOORAY!

Laird for President

by rldwb on Jul 17, 2008 4:40 PM CDT 0 recs

Now

If Blalock gets back to hitting like Blalock we have one formidable lineup…

by sftxfan on Jul 17, 2008 4:40 PM CDT 0 recs

No it is formidable right now...

It will be awsome if he hits like the Hank of old.

"Would you mind walking a time or two so I could drive in some runs"? Milton Bradley

by boomer1 on Jul 17, 2008 4:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

He doesn't have to worry about hitting for power this year.

which means he can hit for average..

and he is capable of .320

by tyd3311 on Jul 17, 2008 4:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yep

"Would you mind walking a time or two so I could drive in some runs"? Milton Bradley

by boomer1 on Jul 17, 2008 4:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'd like to see..

him hit in the 2 spot. start our lineup r l r l s, then hopefully davis will take over the 6 sspot eventually

by tyd3311 on Jul 17, 2008 4:57 PM CDT up 0 recs

You want the best offensive player in the AL this year...

...to bat 5th? It’s bad enough that Wash bats him 4th, now you want to make it worse?

Physician: Primum non nocere

Batter: First, make no out

by Chad Crudup on Jul 18, 2008 8:57 AM CDT up 0 recs

And if he does hit for power

It is a bonus

"Would you mind walking a time or two so I could drive in some runs"? Milton Bradley

by boomer1 on Jul 17, 2008 4:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

He is?

Then why has he never hit above .300?

Let me have a diablo sandwich, a Dr. Pepper, and make it fast I'm in a God damned hurry!

by DaheelzCM on Jul 17, 2008 7:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

well

don’t we all feel like a horse’s ass for all of the discussion today?

Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball

by willamos2 on Jul 17, 2008 4:41 PM CDT 0 recs

Everything about this is right

If you are taking ABs away from someone, take them from Vasquez (and I like Ramon)

Blalock the 3rd baseman is more valuable to the Rangers than Blalock the 1st baseman as both a member of the Rangers and a trade chip

Gets Duran everyday ABs

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 17, 2008 4:41 PM CDT 0 recs

Vazquez was slumping relatively hard

This makes perfect sense. I’d have to imagine the odds of Blalock returning next year have just skyrocketed.

I just can’t see this team selling, beyond expendable parts such as Franky Cat and such.

Baseball Time in Arlington

by jamcadbury on Jul 17, 2008 4:41 PM CDT 0 recs

No doubt

I would think they would pick up his option for next year now.

"Would you mind walking a time or two so I could drive in some runs"? Milton Bradley

by boomer1 on Jul 17, 2008 4:43 PM CDT up 0 recs

WOO!

How's Dshep's ass taste?

by iorange555 on Jul 17, 2008 4:42 PM CDT 0 recs

good move

hank we can flip mayb offseason, and dh ramon whenever or pinch hit or utility to give my or ian some days off. duran will be up again soon enough he has proven to be atleast a utlity infielder at the ml lvl.

by Andrew L on Jul 17, 2008 4:43 PM CDT 0 recs

For all those people who said his arm was gone and he had to play firstbase Ha Ha idiots

by mai on Jul 17, 2008 4:44 PM CDT 0 recs

duran

so who’s going to be in charge of the red foam finger now?

"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg

by rentz on Jul 17, 2008 4:44 PM CDT 0 recs

The youngest guy on the team that is who

"Would you mind walking a time or two so I could drive in some runs"? Milton Bradley

by boomer1 on Jul 17, 2008 4:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ramirez or Boggs.

Whoever isn’t playing that day… and probably Davis or Murphy when Ramirez and Boggs are both playing.

by NoNameOnCard on Jul 17, 2008 4:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

ramirez

he better protect that finger like he protects the plate, or else the hicks family might steal it!

"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg

by rentz on Jul 17, 2008 4:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

who is that masked man?

love the inside info that none of us have a clue about.

"Do they know who I am? Do they know my status? Thats what I thought."
-Miles 6/21/08

.501 or bust!

by Jayslick on Jul 17, 2008 4:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

Youngest player on the bench.

Plaschke: Scioscia, the former Dodgers catcher, is the model manager who has created an atmosphere of winning.
Junior:It's that simple. Mike Scioscia brings a Glade Plug-In labeled "Winning™" into the clubhouse and everyone who breathes it in gains 15 points in average.

by TheBZA on Jul 17, 2008 4:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

i will if they want to hire me, ill travel w/ the team and whatnot

by Andrew L on Jul 17, 2008 4:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

wasn't it Hank's baby

to start with?

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

by Walter Sobchak on Jul 17, 2008 6:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

indeed

by FirebatM3 on Jul 17, 2008 6:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

Max

or Davis

by sftxfan on Jul 17, 2008 4:44 PM CDT 0 recs

Me gusta

Plaschke: Scioscia, the former Dodgers catcher, is the model manager who has created an atmosphere of winning.
Junior:It's that simple. Mike Scioscia brings a Glade Plug-In labeled "Winning™" into the clubhouse and everyone who breathes it in gains 15 points in average.

by TheBZA on Jul 17, 2008 4:44 PM CDT 0 recs

Blalock takes another one for the team

and one for Blalock.

Laird for President

by rldwb on Jul 17, 2008 4:44 PM CDT 0 recs

Anybody see this?

Jul 17 T.R. Sullivan, of MLB.com, reports Texas Rangers C Gerald Laird (hamstring) will be out until the end of July or early August.

by sggut95 on Jul 17, 2008 4:44 PM CDT 0 recs

what the fuh?

has he been hanging out with Blalock?

Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball

by willamos2 on Jul 17, 2008 4:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

That sucks for OMFT

But it let’s Salty and Max play more.

"Would you mind walking a time or two so I could drive in some runs"? Milton Bradley

by boomer1 on Jul 17, 2008 4:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

+1

"Do they know who I am? Do they know my status? Thats what I thought."
-Miles 6/21/08

.501 or bust!

by Jayslick on Jul 17, 2008 4:49 PM CDT up 0 recs

would not suprise me...

Hamstrings are tricky….they can talk longer than expected and can be reinjured.

I really don’t think laird was going to be traded anyway. I don’t think we move any of our catchers until the offseason. There is just too many questions surrounding each one of them to put our eggs in one basket.

The only way I see it happening at the deadline is if a young starting pitcher is being offered in a package for one of our catchers.

by clinton33 on Jul 17, 2008 4:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

Wouldn't JD

naturally ask for a young pitcher in return for any of the catchers? I think Laird and Salty have the most value, Laird for being a proven major leaguer, and Salty because GMs just love giant switch hitting catchers who can (theoretically) mash.

by sggut95 on Jul 17, 2008 5:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

How convenient

and well done, Gerry.

"I’ll say something that doesn’t need context: anyone who is a Mariner’s fan is a douchebag." - FuturePants

by Chase Irwin on Jul 17, 2008 8:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

I think Gerald is saying his hamstring is worse than it really is....

so he can’t be traded before the deadline. He wants to stay here because he sees that Max and Salty are spare and he can win the job for good.

"GO RANGERS!!!" - bspate

by bspate on Jul 18, 2008 8:42 AM CDT up 0 recs

man...

...that’s an intriguing thought.

by oc on Jul 19, 2008 4:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

No

Laird is the kind of guy who would want to get back as soon as possible to show everyone how much he deserves the job.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 19, 2008 8:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

Weird

this whole episode has been surreal.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 17, 2008 4:45 PM CDT 0 recs

Solid move ...

Hank volunteered to move over to 1B, back when the 1B situation sucked, but with Davis up and contributing, there’s no longer any need for him to switch positions. And if he’s healthy, and his bat gets back in form, I plug him right behind Bradley

Yea, though we play in the valley of the shadow of defeat, we shall fear no team ... 'cause Nolan says so !!

by FloridaRangerFan on Jul 17, 2008 4:49 PM CDT 0 recs

Best for everyone involved.

Takes pressure of Blalock to learn 1B.
Lets Duran get regular ABs.
Davis wouldn’t gain many more ABs in AAA, so why send him down when he’s clearly not overmatched by ML pitching.
Rangers have two potent sticks in their lineup instead of one.

I guess it still could cause problems with the defense on the left side, but hopefully that is outweighed by CD+Blalock in the lineup rather than Blalock+Duran or Blalock+Vazquez.

Go Rangers!

by rooster on Jul 17, 2008 4:51 PM CDT 0 recs

hehe

kneejerkers happy.

Josh Hamilton is better than you.

by Longhorn on Jul 17, 2008 4:53 PM CDT 0 recs

EG and JW

Anyone else see Evan Grant post a comment to the Jeff Wilson blog post? I thought that was amusing.

Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!

by DerekSTheRed on Jul 17, 2008 4:58 PM CDT 0 recs

Haha

I checked the times when the news 1st broke. DMN was beaten by 4 minutes.

"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
"If you ain't got no money, ain't nobody calls you honey," Bo Diddley

by Rodney on Jul 17, 2008 5:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

I don't believe it's there anymore

Baseball Time in Arlington

by jamcadbury on Jul 17, 2008 5:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

deleted

Yeah it looks like it was deleted. EG basically said something to the effect of “haha you beat me but our paper is still better … just kidding see you in Minnesota.”

Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!

by DerekSTheRed on Jul 17, 2008 5:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

The more things change...

"But the point is, [Jeff] Mathis is a bush-league uber douche." -lonestarJon

by ghtd36 on Jul 17, 2008 5:00 PM CDT 0 recs

...the more they stay the same

"Would you mind walking a time or two so I could drive in some runs"? Milton Bradley

by boomer1 on Jul 17, 2008 5:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

i find it funny

that a not so intense follower of the rangers will look at the lineup and think, “oh, hank’s back,” completely oblivious to the drama.

of course, hank to third was beyond obvious.

""If they'd have told me you can make the team but you've got to shine the shoes, I'd have been there shining shoes." -Bradley

by ab03 on Jul 17, 2008 5:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah.

They’d never even imagine that this could happen. But it seems like a pretty common sense move, especially to avoid any sort of Botts-esque situation with the Beasticon.

This works for me, though. I’m pleased. So is my friend Ric.