Lone Star Ball: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:



Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: NHL Free Agency Coverage: NHL Rumors, NHL Signings & Trades


spread the word

Jim Reeves confuses me

From a blog post by Jim Reeves this morning:

OK, I think we've all pretty much agreed that the Rangers bungled the Michael Young situation badly. Jon Daniels and Ron Washington (and I've been told he said almost nothing) can't walk out of that meeting with Young feeling as he did.

We do?  We all agree the Rangers bungled the situation badly?

According to Reeves in this morning's column, the correct way to handle the situation would have been to beg Young to move to third base, and when he said no, come up with something else.

Presumably that would involve trading Elvis Andrus for whatever you could get for him, because if Young doesn't want to move off of shortstop, and you aren't going to make him, then there's no point in having Andrus in the organization.

So, here's what I don't get...how could Daniels and Washington have walked out of that meeting with Young feeling happy?

I find the suggestions that the problem wasn't with the fact that they wanted Young to move, but with the fact that they told him he was moving instead of asking him to move, a bit disingenuous.  We are supposed to believe that Young is so mad at being told he was going to move to third base that he demanded a trade, but if the g.m. and manager had just politely asked, he would have been fine and would have agreed with it?

That's crap.

So what was supposed to happen?  How should they have handled the situation?  Just accepted that Young is going to be at shortstop forever more?  Punt it until spring training?  Hope that Young decided, on his own, that he should switch positions?

I don't get it.  The Rangers may well have bungled the situation -- I don't know.  But I'm not quite sure how it is those on the outside believe the situation could better have been handled, other than simply having management abdicate responsibility for the decision and let Young do what he wanted to do. 

Which, I guess, is what Reeves, Galloway, etc. want.  After years of criticizing the Rangers for letting the players run the show, now the problem is that a player should be allowed to decide whether he's going to change positions or not.

Although I wish I could go find the old columns from a few years ago, when the Cowboys switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4 and wanted Greg Ellis to move to OLB.  Because I don't remember nearly as much criticism of Bill Parcells & Co. from the sports media, and I remember a hell of a lot more criticism of a guy who was viewed as the ultimate team player at Valley Ranch being selfish and not making a position switch for the good of the team.

7 recs | Comment 354 comments | Share on Facebook Digg!

Story-email Email Printer Print

More from Lone Star Ball

Michael Young in 2009

Jun 2009 by Adam J. Morris - 98 comments

Monday a.m. Rangers stuff

Jun 2009 by Adam J. Morris - 78 comments

Memorial Day Rangers things

May 2009 by Adam J. Morris - 221 comments

Sunday morning Rangers stuff

May 2009 by Adam J. Morris - 17 comments

Comments

Display:

Nice.

"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract

by tyd3311 on Jan 13, 2009 4:56 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Everyone is entitled to think what they want.

But it is absolutely absurd to put all the blame on one party; to me, it’s clear that both Michael Young and the Texas Rangers could have handled this in a better way.

"Please. What the hell do you know about starting a sports-related website and then deciding to leave it to work on other things and then? How dare you, sir." -- Michael Schur, aka FireJoeMorgan's Ken Tremendous, to Will Leitch

by ghtd36 on Jan 13, 2009 4:57 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's my question

And the answer better not include begging or groveling.

Nothing pithy here. Please move long.

by WyoRanger on Jan 13, 2009 5:13 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He had already made it clear

that he was not moving …….. what choice id the Rangers have, MY drew the line in the sand.

I have nothing to say

by rldwb on Jan 13, 2009 5:52 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This recalls the point I made today on Bob and Dan.

We all agree that the contract has magnified the stupidity of this debacle.

This is all about the ballclub transitioning from a “win-now” aggressive hierarchy to the Tampa template… reduce payroll, cheap home-grown talent… no stupid contracts.

It just so happens that Young was given his money when the team was still in “win-now” mode. If not for that contract, Young probably doesn’t become the face of the franchise or have this much leverage.

by oc on Jan 13, 2009 6:00 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He got that contract last year

If that’s how they behave in win-now mode…I seem to recall that the org. started the go young rhetoric last year, which makes that contract make even less sense. Of course, my memory could be faulty

Free Frank Catalanotto

by egriffey on Jan 13, 2009 9:31 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

March 1st 2007

The Rangers had just traded for McCarthy.
The Rangers signed Kenny Lofton.
The Rangers signed Eric Gagne.
The Rangers signed Sammy Sosa.
Hank Blalock was healthy.
Teixeira and Kinsler.

I’d say that was ‘win-now’ mode.

by oc on Jan 13, 2009 10:23 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Please,

No.

"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract

by tyd3311 on Jan 13, 2009 5:13 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm not sure, because I wasn't there.

But I’m sure that there could have been a better dialogue between Young and the Rangers. I’d bet (again, this is pure speculation) that there was a way to at least soften the blow to Young.

I think that’s my point, though: without knowing all the facts (and it appears that we will never know), it’s not fair to either party to put all the blame on one side.

"Please. What the hell do you know about starting a sports-related website and then deciding to leave it to work on other things and then? How dare you, sir." -- Michael Schur, aka FireJoeMorgan's Ken Tremendous, to Will Leitch

by ghtd36 on Jan 13, 2009 5:15 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

See, this is a problem.

Lots of people are wanting to be critical of JD here and I can’t figure this out. It looks like enough of us have such affection for Young that we just can’t believe he’s being the unilateral ass in this mess. Unfortunately for those of us that love Michael Young, all the evidence we’ve seen points to him being a pouty jerk while JD looks very professional. Until somebody can actually cite something legitimate the Rangers could have done in their delivery which would result in Young moving to 3rd and not making an ass out of himself, JD is blameless.

by Athos on Jan 13, 2009 5:21 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And I can totally, 100% see where you are coming from.

But while I really want to simply blame MY for being a backstabbing asshole, I know that it is very, very rarely that simple.

Ugh. This whole situation just sucks. While I think he’s being selfish, I can understand MY’s point of view (sort of). And while I think he’s being very professional, I can’t completely exonerate JD without knowing all of the facts.

All that being said…my opinion of Michael Young has diminished significantly, while my opinion of JD (a good one) remains unchanged.

"Please. What the hell do you know about starting a sports-related website and then deciding to leave it to work on other things and then? How dare you, sir." -- Michael Schur, aka FireJoeMorgan's Ken Tremendous, to Will Leitch

by ghtd36 on Jan 13, 2009 5:27 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Young seems to feel blindsided,

but to me he just looks blind if he missed the nearly incessant clues about this move coming ever since Andrus was acquired. He’s been asked about it by media before, so he certainly was aware of it. It just makes him seem in denial or something.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on Jan 13, 2009 5:29 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think he had convinced himself it wasn't going to happen

especially after being an All-Star (again) and winning a gold glove. He probably assumed that the Rangers were going to try to trade Andrus in a big deal for a starting pitcher. It probably never entered his mind as a realistic possibility.

Given that, I can understand some frustration with the Rangers management in not keeping their long-term guys (Young, Kinsler, Hamilton) filled in on the lower levels of the organization. If Young was really aware of how good Andrus is, and Hamilton aware of Borbon, Davis aware of Smoak, and Kinsler aware of Marcus Lemon (just kidding), maybe these sorts of conflicts can be somewhat addressed earlier, if not averted at least not a surprise. One can argue that the Laird/Salty controversy is related to this as well. Someone needs to teach these guys the reality of the game (probably a job for the manager?)

by JBImaknee on Jan 13, 2009 5:35 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Given that, I can understand some frustration with the Rangers management in not keeping their long-term guys (Young, Kinsler, Hamilton) filled in on the lower levels of the organization.

after reading the kinsler stuff about the minor league system i dont think any of them give a shit about those kids.

mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.

by Jayslick on Jan 13, 2009 6:58 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Based on what

Ian said on the radio, the players were apparently in denial.

by Back Door Yakker on Jan 13, 2009 9:31 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's a cop-out

I’m all for weighing different people’s sides of a story. But the evidence is pretty one-sided here. From everything we know, Young is the one who is acting disproportionately: he demanded to be traded. He is the one with inflammatory quotes in the media.

I find it hard to believe that this could have all been averted if the Rangers had brought him some donuts and got on their knees begging.

Yeah, there are always two sides of a story. But pretty much 100% of the evidence we have is that Young has blown this way out of proportion. Saying that “I’m sure JD did something wrong too” just to be nice to MY is too flimsy and not fair to the Rangers.

by JBImaknee on Jan 13, 2009 5:24 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I know what you're saying.

And I know it’s kind of a cop-out. I’ll admit it.

I guess I’m just not of the opinion that things like this can be this cut-and-dry, black-and-white, good-and-bad.

But I can’t argue with you when you say it’s a cop-out to withhold judgment when seemingly all the evidence points to MY being an asshole. That’s absolutely valid.

"Please. What the hell do you know about starting a sports-related website and then deciding to leave it to work on other things and then? How dare you, sir." -- Michael Schur, aka FireJoeMorgan's Ken Tremendous, to Will Leitch

by ghtd36 on Jan 13, 2009 5:29 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I understand

All of our impressions of Michael Young have been shattered in the past 48 hours, and its easier to think that maybe, somehow, this isn’t his fault and is one big misunderstanding.

by JBImaknee on Jan 13, 2009 5:36 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's not strictly good and bad

The Rangers are being blamed for signing a stupid contract. MY is being blamed for crying like a 10 year old and demanding to take his ball and go home.

by Back Door Yakker on Jan 13, 2009 9:33 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"how could the Rangers have handled it better?"

They probably couldn’t have handled this situation better, but with a little foresight, they never would have been in this situation in the first place.

JD certainly made a mistake, but he made it a couple years ago, not in the last couple months.

"I see their [Angels] rotation as John Lackey and a bunch of decent starters." - AJM

by tricer on Jan 13, 2009 6:25 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't know what's going on, but he wasn't even slightly drunk when they asked him to switch

It’s all because that nobody on the management had the guts; none of them could hold their own.

by Telegraph on Jan 13, 2009 7:55 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well, there is your problem

They made him go to bed crying. If somebody ever made you go to bed crying, are you gonna be nice to them the next day?

A smart GM would have told him that during breakfast.

by Telegraph on Jan 13, 2009 8:02 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just so you know, I'm on your side.

I actually hate every Ranger except Marlon.

by oc on Jan 13, 2009 8:31 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

holy crap

somebody gave me a rec on this

by Telegraph on Jan 13, 2009 7:57 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

not worthy

"I see their [Angels] rotation as John Lackey and a bunch of decent starters." - AJM

by tricer on Jan 13, 2009 8:16 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

plus Shaq was busy at his other gig

"I see their [Angels] rotation as John Lackey and a bunch of decent starters." - AJM

by tricer on Jan 13, 2009 8:16 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Reeves is a moron

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg on Jan 13, 2009 4:58 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Galloway is a bigger moron when it comes to the Texas Rangers

and yesterday Matt Mosely took him to school about MY.

"And the Rangers looking to win it! The Rangers have won it!"
-- Josh Lewin, Sept 23, 2004

by Agreen07 on Jan 13, 2009 5:01 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

+1

Did Jon Daniels downsize your old position at Dunking Donuts?

by lonestarJon on Jan 13, 2009 5:03 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I understand Young being upset

but that does not in any way equal Rangers management bungling. It equals Young being prideful, perhaps selfish. It equals the organization being in a tough situation with a declining player. The organization bungled the contract extension, not asking Young to change positions.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on Jan 13, 2009 4:59 PM CST reply reply actions actions   1 recs

well said

This entire situation is just ugly. Im pissed at Young for not sucking up his pride and just doing what he is told and especially for running to the media to cry about it. However, we all have seen how Tim Hicks runs shit around here and probably all agree that its pretty messed up and way inconsistent. Im a huge fan of JD (but hate TH) and can also see why Young is frustrated. As Mr. BlueBallLefty put it to me, if my boss came to me and told my I was going to be cleaning toilets from now on, then I would quit. I would loose my contract and would be out looking for a job, and sure, i would be pissed. But thats the reality of it. Its a job and Im an employee, just like FOTF is an employee.

Oh yeah, i wish i could kick Gallodouch in the nuts so hard that he chocked on them!!

by thad728 on Jan 13, 2009 5:00 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Exactamundo

Adam, you are 100% correct. Reading this drivel from one of our local columnists helps me to understand why newspapers are dying out

by BEW on Jan 13, 2009 5:00 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And yet

It’s the ST that will continue to cover the Rangers.

God, 2009 is going to suck from the standpoint of Rangers media coverage… between the ST and TR Sullivan, we’re all going to need galoshes to wade through the crap.

Did Jon Daniels downsize your old position at Dunking Donuts?

by lonestarJon on Jan 13, 2009 5:06 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

One potential good thing

Even though I’m sure Reeves won’t be carried on DMN (Tim Cowlishaw & co can carry their own weight in poorly devised, no logic Rangesr editorials), maybe his joke of a history writing about the Rangers will be brought more to light.

by Brett Perryman on Jan 13, 2009 5:08 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

the bad thing about that

Reeves is the one we are stuck with now.

"Was this really necsarry?" - cowpoke/hurler hurley

by trza on Jan 13, 2009 5:17 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Perfect analogy.

Greg Ellis.

Give me Sheets or give me Offseason Blues Part III.

by Chase Irwin on Jan 13, 2009 5:02 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

or Wade Phillips

when Jerry fires him and asks him to stay on as D-Cor……….

"You’re the worst poster here I think."--- brettgardner

by red shoe ranger on Jan 13, 2009 7:52 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And last night

Reeves was on his knees, groveling, begging, pleading to suck MY’s dick.

"And the Rangers looking to win it! The Rangers have won it!"
-- Josh Lewin, Sept 23, 2004

by Agreen07 on Jan 13, 2009 5:08 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

profound

I have nothing to say

by rldwb on Jan 13, 2009 5:57 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Like you, I resent the idea

that just because Young was a team player in 2004 by moving he should be deferred to in such an organization-altering way that so deeply affects the team’s long term plans for success. Does he want to win or not? In what universe does an employer of any kind beg an employee for anything?

Get over your pride Young, and be the selfless leader you’re purported to be. Get over your reflexive Ranger management bashing media.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on Jan 13, 2009 5:08 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm ready to shift

some of the focus onto the folks in the local media who are supporting Young. It’s pretty clear that he’s in the wrong, as Olney and others have illustrated. People like Galloway and Reeves need to be put under the light. Their worthiness to even have the space to comment on this stuff needs to start to be called into question. A computerized column generator could write Reeves’ editorials, and the only real insight these guys provide any more is on who their personal favorites are. If it’s important to you to know who has earned the right to be a personal buddy of Galloway, Reeves, etc., by all means read their columns. If not, there is absolutely no point.

by Brett Perryman on Jan 13, 2009 5:14 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That serves no purpose

I’ll email each of them, though. I don’t buy either of their papers any more, so they don’t have much reason to care what I think, though.

by Brett Perryman on Jan 13, 2009 5:17 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

People get so upset with the sports media here because they think they're giving the DFW sports fans the wrong information.

The idea is that we’d all like fewer Josey Wales in this world.

But the truth of the matter is, I don’t think we should be caring for what the general sports public thinks. We know what is right for this team, and as long as a few of us out there know the truth, that is what will set us free.

We all know why attendance is down. We’re at the point now where winning where cure everything.

by oc on Jan 13, 2009 5:24 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's a pipedream to hope that casual fans

which, of course, are the majority, will be as aware of details as we are. But it is not a pipedream and far from unreasonable to expect the sportswriters — who, after all, are paid to follow the damn teams full time — should know a little better.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on Jan 13, 2009 5:27 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Any news

Is good news.

"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract

by tyd3311 on Jan 13, 2009 5:34 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

+1

Even Galloway isn’t THAT much of a condescending douchebag. Over-the-top tirades sell, and columnists/talk show hosts know it. It just sucks for those of us tired of the shtick.

by MeanMr.Mustard on Jan 13, 2009 6:28 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

do they sell though?

this isnt the same target market is was 20 years ago, i think thats half the problem the newspapers and media in general arent getting.

mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.

by Jayslick on Jan 13, 2009 7:14 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I agree

I just know quite a few people who don’t even know that there is another viewpoint on some of these things but are reasonable enough that if they saw it presented fairly would be more likely to come to a correct conclusion. When it comes to the Rangers in general, even people I’m close to who respect my opinion won’t listen to me that they have a chance to put something good together, so I don’t expect most people to buy that. But on specific cases, I just wish there were a prominent voice of reason out there, rather than 100% talking head buffoons.

by Brett Perryman on Jan 13, 2009 5:34 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The reason some people (especially in here) would like fewer

Josey Wales in this world is because I tell you the hard core truth about our favorite little team you don’t wanna hear. It really, really pisses people off that I am right many more times than I am wrong. I am anything but the “general sports public.”

Attendance is down to it’s lowest levels in 20 years because this fan base has summarily rejected the teams JD has put together, they don’t like the direction of the team and they don’t like the way that Tom Hicks conducts business.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 6:02 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

For christ's sake

Is there anything you know about the Rangers other than attendance? The first 6 times you mentioned that, it was a little interesting. Now you’ve become more repetative than usual.

Nothing pithy here. Please move long.

by WyoRanger on Jan 13, 2009 6:08 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I was responding to "oc" above

and he referenced attendance and why it is down as much as it is.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 6:12 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Cool.

Isn’t it time for you to go smoke out?

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 6:22 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Don't you need to go

polish up the pledge pin or make a nice drive out to The Strip, gardener?

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 6:29 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Don't you need to go

Think of some better “Don’t you need to” lines?

by brettgardner on Jan 13, 2009 6:30 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Dear Jim Reeves,

Your columns suck and you look like a sea lion that washed ashore dead.

Yours sincerely,

Z

by LiamP on Jan 13, 2009 5:30 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If you

email/call him, then that means your read/listen to his drivel and he stays employed.

Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year

by RangerMad on Jan 13, 2009 5:42 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeesh

Good luck with all that.

by LiamP on Jan 13, 2009 5:16 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I know it won't happen

but they need to be looked at by consumers just as the Rangers are looked at by consumers. Their reputations should go in the tank over this, particularly Reeves’.

by Brett Perryman on Jan 13, 2009 5:19 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Gagree

His ridiculous words should be thrown back at him daily

by BEW on Jan 13, 2009 5:30 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Is that really

any different than the media at large? It’s generally comprised of a bunch of stuffed shirts, none of whom are held accountable for their drivel.

by Back Door Yakker on Jan 13, 2009 9:43 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

this is the same media that is absolutely dumbfounded that it is dying

they cant figure out why…

mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.

by Jayslick on Jan 13, 2009 7:06 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

More from the only other Ranger fan at Baseball Fever.

Full conversation here.

Exactly. You proved my point. Recent moves. You think JD isn’t taking Ryan’s advice. I guarantee you Nolan is running that whole front office. JD is a nutcase.

I would say this might be Josey Whales, but this guy is for real, I’m pretty certain. This is in reference to the Teixeira trade, which he’s also already said was only good because we got rid of Teixeira.

by philkid3 on Jan 13, 2009 5:08 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

IF THERE WAS ANYTIME to make a run at the pennant, it’d be after the Angels lose Teixeira and K-Rod. When the A’s are in a rebuilding process and are getting the missing pieces together. When the Mariners have unused talent and damaged goods. Now would be a great time to maybe make a possible attempt to get the pennant. It would be amazing if the Rangers could of won in 2008, the year JD told everyone we would be contenders.
And making Andrus the starting SS in 2009 is not the way to go. I can tell you one thing, JD did little this off season and I know Hicks is getting on him and now he has to cover his ass again. I hope this comes and bites him in the butt. I hope this move is the downfall of JD.

It sucks, because Baseball Fever is a great site, but apparently this is all I have in terms of another Rangers fan.

by philkid3 on Jan 13, 2009 5:09 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

OT. Rangers invite six more to spring training.
The Rangers announced that it has invited six minor leaguers to major league spring training: pitchers Neftali Feliz and Derek Holland, infielders Elvis Andrus and Justin Smoak and catchers Manny Pina and Kevin Richardson.

For the record, the Rangers had already decided this and are announcing it today. The timing of inviting Andrus and announcing it today has nothing to do with the Young news getting leaked the last few days.

The Rangers now have 12 official non-roster invitees to spring training. The first workout is scheduled for Feb. 15 for pitchers and catchers.

"Fuck Michael Young" -Coolaid

by Kinslerhomer on Jan 13, 2009 5:10 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Did the Rangers ask MY if it was okay to invite Andrus to camp?

I hear that Milly is worried about Holland and Feliz maybe becoming an ace one day. We should make sure that he’s cool with them playing in the major league facility.

by JBImaknee on Jan 13, 2009 5:14 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ask?

They should have begged, right Reeves?

"And the Rangers looking to win it! The Rangers have won it!"
-- Josh Lewin, Sept 23, 2004

by Agreen07 on Jan 13, 2009 5:18 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Manny Pina is interesting.

"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract

by tyd3311 on Jan 13, 2009 5:15 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

interesting...

i’d say it’s a head scratcher.

I guess you heard Fat Joe left Atlantic.

by Haeger Champ on Jan 13, 2009 9:26 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

catchers needed

You do need a certain number of catcher for ST. Whether they are NRIs or called over from minor league camp doesn’t really matter. Doesn’t minor league camp start after ST starts?

Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year

by RangerMad on Jan 13, 2009 9:53 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

As I said in the other thread

Bad management is asking someone to do something when only one answer is acceptable. You think things are bad now, imagine if they asked, Young said no, and the team moved him anyway.

If you’ve decided on a course of action, take it.

by JBImaknee on Jan 13, 2009 5:12 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Exactly

It’s amazing to me that people cite the way they handled Young as bad management. I’m not sure if those people know a thing about personnel management.

by Brett Perryman on Jan 13, 2009 5:15 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They don't, but they do harbor

fantasies of their bosses begging and groveling and being idolized like Young just because of their good face qualities.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on Jan 13, 2009 5:18 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Agreed

I can provide a personal example:

A little over a year ago, I changed jobs within my company, moving from the QA position that I’d been in for four years to a team lead position. After six months, my boss asked me to move back to QA. To be honest, the team lead position wasn’t a good fit for me, but I’d given it a shot because I thought it would help me develop some skills that I needed to strengthen.

My boss didn’t beg, grovel, or plead- she just pointed out that I’d done a good job in my old position, and that she thought it was probably a better fit for me than the new one. It wasn’t a demand, per se, but I knew what the choices were, and so I took my old position back. Fortunately, I got to keep the pay raise I’d received six months earlier.

"I dont care to debate with a troll." - Sharky

by RCCook on Jan 13, 2009 5:59 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Who really cares about this now?

You guys must be forgetting American Idol is on tonight? HELLLLLO.

You dick that was uncalled for - male cheerleader

by iorange555 on Jan 13, 2009 5:19 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Idol

That show has been played out a few times too many. Not that I ever liked it at all, but c’mon… how many times will we go through that whole ordeal?

Did Jon Daniels downsize your old position at Dunking Donuts?

by lonestarJon on Jan 13, 2009 5:52 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I never gave up on the rangers.

I’m sticking with my idol too.

You dick that was uncalled for - male cheerleader

by iorange555 on Jan 13, 2009 5:58 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Idol show as a whole is a beating

But the first few weeks when they show all the failures is greatness

by BEW on Jan 13, 2009 6:14 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

After reading Reeves and Gramps

I am really going to miss Evan Grant….love him or hate him, at least he makes an attempt at reason (95% of the time).

Freddie King rules faces.

by Ryin A on Jan 13, 2009 5:29 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The DFW reporters just parrot what the casual Rangers fan wants to hear

It seems that most disinterested writers/reporters are coming down against MY’s actions, but not the writers in Texas. This isn’t a hard a fast rule. Here’s the observation from walkoffwalk, just a couple guys who write about baseball:

HOW badly has Michael Young messed up with his actions of the past couple days. His pouting has only focused a harsher light on the fact that his skills are in decline and he’s going to be making waaaay too much money for the next 4 years. How much longer does Jon Daniels have in Arlington anyway? That organization is a mess.

I don’t agree, but it is a disinterested observation.

Yesterday I was listening to MLB Homplate. The host (wish I knew who) was interviewing someone who knew a little about Andrus. The host suspected that this might be a ploy to get out of MY’s contract, while the interviewee didn’t buy off on it and said Andrus has the possibility of being a special defensive SS. But of course, that’s talk radio with the point being discussion/disagreement.

Nothing pithy here. Please move long.

by WyoRanger on Jan 13, 2009 5:33 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ive seen many such ranger organization bashing comments

whats funny to me is these are the same people who say all the rangers care about is offense and they will never succeed because of it. Now that they decide to forcefully improve defense at short and 3b for players with questionable offense at those positions… its a disaster!

the preceding post was a great success.

by DSheppard on Jan 13, 2009 7:17 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   1 recs

Nice

That’s all I got.

Nothing pithy here. Please move long.

by WyoRanger on Jan 13, 2009 8:04 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He said that Tim Raines isn't a Hall of Famer because he doesn't pass the gut check.

Brian Kenny brought up OBP, and Steve Phillips dismissed the value of OBP because Brian Giles is a career .404. Kenny said it’s a different era, Phillips said era doesn’t matter for OBP because a walk is a walk.

Kenny incredulously told him that’s not true and looked like he was unhappy to even be in the same room as the retarded kid. It went on from there and Kenny made him look idiotic.

by philkid3 on Jan 13, 2009 5:43 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

kenny and phillips go back and forth a lot on

Kellerman’s radio show. I linked one podcast here when they were all discussing if Adam Dunn was good or not…

by Longhorn on Jan 13, 2009 5:45 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

One word.

"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract

by tyd3311 on Jan 13, 2009 5:41 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yeah

Brian Kenny just abused him.

But Phillips gets that alot on Kellerman’s show.

SP is an absolute joke.

by Longhorn on Jan 13, 2009 5:44 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I hate Kellerman.

I wanted to strangle him daily on ATH.

Then I found out he’s a hxc sabermetrician and it made me want to cry. . .

by philkid3 on Jan 13, 2009 5:47 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

excellent, +72

I think that is as high as you can go

I have nothing to say

by rldwb on Jan 13, 2009 5:49 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Randy Galloway today:

OPS is a “geek” stat. OPS is “OBS” : all BS

He also thinks that getting a few pitchers in here would make Michael Young a better SS.

by Brett Perryman on Jan 13, 2009 5:54 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Also

“Do fans pay to see Jon Daniels at work or Michael Young at work?”

Dumbest man in America?

by Brett Perryman on Jan 13, 2009 5:55 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

who cares if it's a geek stat?

it’s a winner’s stat too. Galloway can sit around and watch batting averages and ERA all day and those who know baseball will continue to know what a fraud he is.

I guess you heard Fat Joe left Atlantic.

by Haeger Champ on Jan 13, 2009 6:18 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Does he even know what ops is??

adding 2 numbers from the back of a baseball card is a geek stat?

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

by rentz on Jan 14, 2009 8:38 AM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Jerry Jones v. JD - here's what I don't get

I’ve never looked at MLB.com’s comment section, but that combined with the comments sections of the online DFW newspapers indicate a vast dislike for JD among the more casual fan. However, I would have to say that most of the people here (who aren’t really casual fans) are OK with JD.

On the other hand, it seems like the serious Cowboys fans here aren’t huge fans of JJ (although it might be more split) but it seems (I might be wrong) that the casual fan likes JJ.

What gives? Is it just because the casual fan can’t/won’t look beyond winning% and playoff appearances? Or maybe my perception from 800 miles away is inaccurate.

Nothing pithy here. Please move long.

by WyoRanger on Jan 13, 2009 5:57 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think everyone dislikes jerry jones.

You dick that was uncalled for - male cheerleader

by iorange555 on Jan 13, 2009 6:00 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Jerry

My mom’s about as casual a Cowboy fan as there is, and she can’t stand him…

"I dont care to debate with a troll." - Sharky

by RCCook on Jan 13, 2009 6:00 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I like his passion for winning

I don’t like his ego.

"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract

by tyd3311 on Jan 13, 2009 6:04 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

not every owner has fired2 of the greatest coaches in NFL history though

so he’s got that goin for him…

mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.

by Jayslick on Jan 13, 2009 7:56 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

thats a lot

of respect you just paid Barry Switzer……

"You’re the worst poster here I think."--- brettgardner

by red shoe ranger on Jan 13, 2009 8:05 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

umm....

Jimmy Johnson.

Bill Parcells.

Tom Landry.

no where in that statement should the name Barry Switzer have appeared or been thought of.

by Hull Fan on Jan 14, 2009 1:33 AM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

sorry

didn’t mean to sail one right over your head…….

"You’re the worst poster here I think."--- brettgardner

by red shoe ranger on Jan 14, 2009 5:26 AM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I have always disliked JJ

 JD and JJ are not comparable, one has class the other doesn’t.

I have nothing to say

by rldwb on Jan 13, 2009 6:20 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

A lot of the people in here

are big fans of both Jamey & Adam and they happen to be big fans of JD.

It’s human nature and basic psychology to not disagree with (for lack of a better word) leaders.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 6:05 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You should write a book.

Publish 50,000 copies then go some place where it’s really cold and people have no heat, then burn the books for them. Then maybe your thoughts would have a true meaning in life.

You dick that was uncalled for - male cheerleader

by iorange555 on Jan 13, 2009 6:06 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not everybody is brave,

confident or quite frankly smart enough to speak their minds because they might be viewed as different.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 6:10 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Did you get that from High school musical?

You dick that was uncalled for - male cheerleader

by iorange555 on Jan 13, 2009 6:11 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   1 recs

that line is better

than oc’s maze, iorange555.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 6:15 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I did

and I got red ink all over my computer screen, dammit.

Nothing pithy here. Please move long.

by WyoRanger on Jan 13, 2009 6:30 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol

You dick that was uncalled for - male cheerleader

by iorange555 on Jan 13, 2009 6:31 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Paul Depodesta

Experienced GM and worked at the right-hand of the Master, Billy Beane.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 6:16 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

again

you do realize you and paul depodesta would disagree on just about everything related to sports.

you think paul depodesta wants michael young anywhere near his team?

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 6:17 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Paul Depodesta

isn’t stupid enough to give a 32 SS in decline a 5 year / $ 80 million deal when he is working with a Kansas City payroll.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 6:19 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

32 year old SS

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 6:19 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Depends on who the owner is, etc.

The Young contract wasn’t sculpted by JD in a vacuum. Hicks was as involved with that as he has been with anything.

by Andy Seiler on Jan 13, 2009 6:25 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

maybe

but he’d move Young to 3rd to bring up the 20 year old SS who made 32 errors and had an OPS below 750 because he looks at stats that actually tell him something.

And I don’t think JD wants Elvis to take over immediately. He wants Elvis to pave the way for Elvis to get a look sometime this season

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 6:41 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

2nd logical thing Josey's posted

in the past 10 minutes. If we’re a small market payroll, we need a small market mindset. Paul D gets that. I know, I read Moneyball ;)

I guess you heard Fat Joe left Atlantic.

by Haeger Champ on Jan 13, 2009 6:39 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Proof positive that I'm

not too fast for everybody in the class.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 6:43 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   1 recs

If you had to compare Josey to Paul D or Bill Plaschke

is anybody in the world (besides Josey) picking Paul D?

It’s funny enough that Josey has his ignorant opinions, it’s more hilarious that he thinks he’d agree with any SABR people

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 6:44 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's why I am probably

the biggest proponent in the world of Bill James and why I thought Milton Bradley (.436 obp) is among the smartest hitters I’ve ever seen.

Try again, abo3.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 6:47 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Uh oh

Has your brain exploded from The Truth, ab?

by brettgardner on Jan 13, 2009 6:48 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

just because you say you are a proponent of Bill James

doesn’t mean you are (same with Neyer, Paul D). You are completely clueless to the fact that you disagree wtih them probably about 75% of the time.

and your milton bradley observation isn’t exactly profound. Most jackasses recognize OBP as a pretty telling stat and even if they didn’t, they’d be swayed by his BA.

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 6:49 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

not Galloway!

I guess you heard Fat Joe left Atlantic.

by Haeger Champ on Jan 13, 2009 6:50 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I mean

you realize that you disagree with Neyer now right? There isn’t a smart analyst out there who thinks that Mike Young shouldn’t be moved – but you do.

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 6:50 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

actually

approach this a different way.

Go read a Neyer article. Look at the stats he uses. Look at his player ratings. Look at what he emphasizes. And please learn something.

Not that Neyer is the absolute truth but his analysis is light years ahead of yours.

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 6:54 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ab03, I'm not disagreeing that Young

needs to eventually move but the Rangers coming to him this year is not about trying to improve their defense or that “we’re trying to get all our championship caliber players lined up” bullshit that JD fed the masses.

This is about the team trying to get out from under the contract they gave Young less than two years ago because JD needs to shave payroll to improve that hideous pitching staff he built.

What really sucks is that they’re going to burn a year of Andrus up here when he’s clearly and beyond the shadow of a doubt not ready for The Show.

Nowhere will you read that I believe Young has great range or that he is the second coming of Ozzie Smith.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 7:21 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

So Andrus shouldnt' come up at all in 2009?

and the year they contend (2010), Andrus should be the starting rookie SS with Young moving to 3rd for the first time?

(Don’t say 2B, Young already said he didn’t want to move to 2B)

Somehow, that is better than starting the process now?

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 7:23 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't think Andrus

should get here until at least 2010, probaby a year later than that.

In April 2011, he’ll be 22 years old.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 7:26 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

so if Andrus was indeed ready

by mid 2009, JD’s plan is ok?

Or, put it this way, it is ok to ask MY to move to 3rd before the 2010 or 2011 season?

If all you are doing is disagreeing with them about Andrus is development, fine but you’re wrong. Most people dont’ question the fact that Andrus (even with the 30 errors) is still going to get to more balls than Young right now if thrown to the wolves. Neyer probably believes this.

Only one who doesn’t is you

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 7:30 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't doubt that Andrus

is going to get to more balls than Young but he’s also going to make a helluva lot more errors and I’m not sure he will have an OPS above .600 and I don’t want him damaged for life by coming up too early..

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 7:34 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He asked you a question.

Since answering would fry your circuits, you punted.

Nice.

by brettgardner on Jan 13, 2009 7:35 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If you expected an answer

You’re as dumb as he is.

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg on Jan 13, 2009 7:36 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm not sure

Why you’re so abrasive. It’s a bit odd, actually.

by brettgardner on Jan 13, 2009 7:37 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i'm saying

that even with the errors, he will get to more balls. What do you care about 30 errors. MY probably doesn’t get to 50 balls he should (low estimate) and doesn’t get an error because he can’t even put a glove on it.

again, he’s not coming up early. he’s not guaranteed to come up now. But if he is ready in 2009, it would be a god damn shame that he can’t becuase MY hasn’t learned to play 3B.

And, Metcalf might put up a 600 OPS so offensive output would remain about equal in both scenarios

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 7:36 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

A trick when fighting the Josey

Don’t fall into his tangent traps. The Josey knows when he is defeated and will try to deflect questions asked of him into something else to confuse others.

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg on Jan 13, 2009 7:37 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

How about you just fucking don't?

The reason I stopped reading Newberg’s forums is because every single thread turned into 5-6 guys vs Josey.

The exact same shit is happening here now (THANKS ED!).

It’s a fucking drag when 40% of a 200 comment thread is this shit.

by LiamP on Jan 13, 2009 7:41 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   1 recs

yeah

i quit the newberg forums for the same reason.

"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan

by Dirk Diggler on Jan 13, 2009 7:42 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Exactly...

I pretty much just wasted an entire day at work reading 2000+ comments about MY and I think half of those were because people got baited into a argument with Josey. One they know that there is no end or hope to.

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

by slc ranger on Jan 13, 2009 7:46 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

LiamP

I’m just talking about the Great Game and how it concerns our beloved Texas Rangers.

Would you rather talk about movies, 24, strip clubs, smoking dope, video games / equipment?

It’s everybody else that comes around dropping the gloves because they don’t like my opinions.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 7:46 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You don't talk about

smoking dope, video games, and strip clubs. You smoke em, play em, and go to em

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg on Jan 13, 2009 7:47 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   1 recs

Completely agree.

I don’t know why people bother arguing with Josey.

"Nobody knows how to feel right now. It’s like Jesus came down from heaven and shot Santa Claus." --ghtd36

by coolaid on Jan 13, 2009 8:54 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Newberg forums

Nobody grapples with Josey any more on the Newberg forums, FWIW.

by Jamey Newberg on Jan 13, 2009 9:02 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We do need to stop

helping him feel important. He’s just a stool for management.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on Jan 13, 2009 9:06 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yeah I still read them

I’ve noticed that lately

"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan

by Dirk Diggler on Jan 13, 2009 9:10 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I noticed

That’s why I said “Thanks Ed!” Dude drove him to LSB, where it’s damn near impossible to get banned.

by LiamP on Jan 13, 2009 9:54 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't know about Metcalf

but he didn’t fuck around last year in 56 plate appearances (.589 slugging %).

I do not believe Andrus is ready and I am far from alone in that opinion.

For JD to say that “we just wanted to get all our championship caliber players lined up” is one of the biggest loads of bullshit he has ever shoveled towards Ranger fans..and that’s saying a lot.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 7:42 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

if you can look at Metcalf's numbers last year

and think “he didn’t fuck around,” you have NOTHING in common with Bill James and Rob Neyer. Absolutely nothing.

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 7:45 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

His obp sucked

but he slugged the crap out of the ball.

56 ab’s isn’t enough to definitively judge him.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 7:48 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Truth be told per Metcalf,

I haven’t paid too attention to him and he’s got an uphill battle in front of him but the otherhand we were told by numerous people what a stud Nelson Cruz was going to be.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 8:28 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not true
This is about the team trying to get out from under the contract they gave Young less than two years ago because JD needs to shave payroll to improve that hideous pitching staff he built.

No matter how many times you say it, it won’t make it true. The decision to move Young to 3b could not have possibly been calculated to get Young to demand a trade. It is the stupidest conspiracy theory in the history of conspiracy theories (Bill Walton-esque hyperbole, I know).

by cstorm15 on Jan 13, 2009 8:24 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This isn't that off the wall...

while AJM and Jamey aren’t my leaders by any stretch of the imagination, I don’t think it’s a ridiculous assumption that many of Rangers fans who choose to peruse this site are mildly or even dramatically influenced by what is written.

Adam chooses which articles are posted (at least in the main section). He also generally presents them with a slant (e.g. ‘Jim Reeves confuses me’ ). We can make up our own mind how we feel about what is written and I wouldn’t argue that we are lambs who are unable to think for ourselves. But in the blog community, despite the common disagreements, often similar views are shared amongst a group. I think that is the case here.

I guess you heard Fat Joe left Atlantic.

by Haeger Champ on Jan 13, 2009 6:29 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bingo, Haeger Champ.

In no way was I being critical of Adam or Jamey but I happen to disagree with them from time to time and I’m not afraid to express said opinion.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 6:30 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Adam and Jamey

I think they also disagree with each other from time to time. I don’t think there’s some organized “groupthink” between the two, or among the community on either site.

And I also don’t think that weighing the evidence, and coming to an independent conclusion that Daniels has the team on the right path, makes one a mindless sheep happy to accept whatever party line the team throws us as fans.

"I dont care to debate with a troll." - Sharky

by RCCook on Jan 13, 2009 6:34 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Adam and I disagree a LOT.

But he’s in the top two or three on my list of whose Rangers opinions I want to take time to read.

by Jamey Newberg on Jan 13, 2009 7:29 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

My opinions seem to get

read quite a bit as well, Jamey.

:)

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 7:32 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just because they're all over the f'n place

It’s like goddamn wallpaper. No matter how ugly it is, you have to notice.

Nothing pithy here. Please move long.

by WyoRanger on Jan 13, 2009 8:10 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   2 recs

that being said...

Josey, it does seem like you’re either quicker to disagree or louder in your disagreements. Sometimes it appears you do so simply for the sake of disagreeing. Nonetheless, you’re entitled to your opinion… as long as AJM allows you to post here ;)

I guess you heard Fat Joe left Atlantic.

by Haeger Champ on Jan 13, 2009 6:36 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Haeger Champ, Simply disagreeing

for the sake of doing it would be shtick. I’m pretty unwavering with my opinions and if this thing ever gets turned around (which I hope it does) under JD’s watch, I will need to backpedal but for the most part my opinions on this thing have been largely dead solid perfect (good and bad) for several years.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 7:14 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

that's not what he said

he said that we agree with them because they are our leaders – which is ridiculous.

this is a fucking internet blog – nobody is intimidated/scared of posting anything. we are all strangers

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 6:46 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

abo3, Reality check here. When I think of LSB sheep, your name comes up first

and I’m sure you get your wool shorn every couple of weeks followed by a couple of “atta-boy” pats on the head.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 7:11 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

God

You’ve got to be the most pathetic person I’ve ever encountered.

by brettgardner on Jan 13, 2009 7:17 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   1 recs

lol

"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan

by Dirk Diggler on Jan 13, 2009 7:34 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Don't you mean your mothers basement?

Did Jon Daniels downsize your old position at Dunking Donuts?

by lonestarJon on Jan 13, 2009 8:40 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yeah

your atta boys have only been coming once a month tops

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 7:21 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

from who?

I disagree with adam about lots of things – pretty vigorously at times. But that’s not really the point.

The point is that when I state an opinion, I back it up with logic. LOGIC. Something that completely escapes you at every turn. I don’t parrot Adam’s logic, I use my own. I used to follow Adam somewhat blindly when it came to stats but then I realized the websites out there that I can read to come to my own conclusions so I don’t even really use him for that.

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 7:20 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

abo3, so all these scary predictions that I've made that somehow

came true happened because I didn’t use logic?

Really- just wild ass guesses that just so happened to come true?

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 7:24 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hah.

He’s right ab. Here’s the syllogistic proof:

Bad teams don’t win many games.

The Rangers are a bad team.

The Rangers won’t win many games.

Now go find that profound shit in some Bill James book.

by brettgardner on Jan 13, 2009 7:26 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Or you could be like me

and say in January 2007 that the Texas Rangers had 75 Win talent (they went 75-87)when just about everybody else thought different, ie Evan Grant said they’d win 90 games citing “Ron Washington’s influence”

Miss you on XM with Steiner, Evan!!

Then last year in January when Billy Beane was trading everything in sight I said that the A’s would still win at least 75 games because of the veteran infrastructure in place (they went 75-86).

I’ll tell you more if you want.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 7:30 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh God yes

I can’t get enough of those amazing insights.

Veteran infrastructure??? JESUS CHRIST WHY DIDN’T EVERYBODY THINK OF THAT!?

by brettgardner on Jan 13, 2009 7:31 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

what veteran infrastructure?

and Cahill and Martin have you beat on Ranger pessimism. it’s not really a matter of logic

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 7:32 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

what predictions?

you keep saying that you make awesome predictions but if they are just, “The Rangers will play sub – 500 ball,” I’m not really impressed. Everybody made those predictions.

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 7:27 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Rubbish.

He also went way out on a limb and predicted that Cruz would suck a mere matter of years after Cruz demonstrated that he sucks.

Give the man his due.

by brettgardner on Jan 13, 2009 7:29 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

naw, gardener

I saw Cruz’s obp in his first 100 plate appearances, looked at his age and determined he can’t play.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 7:31 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And what an amazing

Eye for talent you obviously have.

by brettgardner on Jan 13, 2009 7:32 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lets remember that one

seeing as how he did get a 420 OBP last year in 130 PA

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 7:33 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Maybe I'll be eventually proven wrong

per Cruz but he turns 29 years old this July and still hasn’t had a good year in The Show.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 7:38 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

But what about

his ability to play the Great Game.

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg on Jan 13, 2009 7:38 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Here.

I suggest using a red Sharpie.

by oc on Jan 13, 2009 6:08 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I made it! Sweet!

Give me Sheets or give me Offseason Blues Part III.

by Chase Irwin on Jan 13, 2009 7:59 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

<img src=“http://cdn-”http://www.cracked.com/articleimages/wong/moran.jpg" target="_blank">www.cracked.com/articleimages/wong/moran.jpg"/>

mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.

by Jayslick on Jan 13, 2009 8:00 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm not so sure that's accurate

It seems to me that there are many supporters of JD inside and outside the DFW area. I think it’s the small-minded people that simply look at W/L records, refuse to look at anything else in an organization, and decide that the GM has to be the one at fault.

Nothing pithy here. Please move long.

by WyoRanger on Jan 13, 2009 6:18 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

wyoranger,

there are all those bad trades, hiring and then extending Ron Washington, giving Young that extension with this payroll…

no, I think most of baseball thinks JD is a stupid sonofabitch.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 6:21 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well

You are absolutely out of your mind.

by jthig32 on Jan 13, 2009 6:22 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Do you think the major league players

in the Ranger organization respect JD?

I didn’t think so and Mench confirmed that today.

Part of the problem with MY was who they sent to convey the message – somebody that nobody respects.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 13, 2009 6:23 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ouch!

My eyes hurt from the unfiltered truth!