Saturday a.m. Rangers things
by Adam J. Morris on Oct 3, 2009 10:02 AM CDT
112 comments
Two games to go. Texas has sole possession of second place locked up, and regardless of what happens the next two days, this season has to be viewed as a success.
Anthony Andro says it was the young Ranger hitters -- Julio Borbon, Taylor Teagarden, Elvis Andrus, and Chris Davis -- that led the way last night.
Brandon McCarthy got yanked in the fifth, and I was surprised he got pulled so soon, given that he appeared to be pitching okay and his pitch count wasn't that high. McCarthy apparently was surprised as well:
"I felt like I threw really well today," he said. "There were a few pitches here and there I’d like to have back, but for the most part there aren’t many pitches I wouldn’t throw going back at them again. I’m out there giving it my all and I’d love to have the confidence put in me."
Julio Borbon is going to play in center the next three games; meanwhile, Ron Washington says he doesn't expect Nelson Cruz to be able to play again this season because of his ankle. Washington indicated he didn't even bother to check with Cruz to see if he could go yesterday.
Among the coaches, only Mike Maddux has a contract for 2010, but Ron Washington says he wants everyone back next year.
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it would suck to be this catcher
Known for his relentless networking, [Towers’] ability to identify pitching and a knack for swinging deals with limited resources – he once traded a fringe catcher to Cleveland to obtain a used treadmill –
by MikeEl on Oct 3, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Grady Fuson at work again?
His recurring problem was in keeping major-league caliber talent in the Padres’ pipeline. A succession of high-round draft flameouts surely made his job more difficult.
by MikeEl on Oct 3, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
heh I thought this was a joke...
but there actually is a man with that name lol.
HH is that a sock in your puppet or are you happy to see me?
by BigGuns on Oct 3, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought McCarthy...
got the hook a little too early yesterday as well.
However it may have been the right move in the end. Nippert came in and shut them down for the next couple innings as well as getting out of that little jam.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on Oct 3, 2009 10:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
season as a success
If the reason they play 162 games in a season is to come in first in the division and advance in the playoffs and eventually win the World Series, how can coming in second in the West for another year be considered a success? I understand how the young players got valuable experience this year. We still came in second. Lipstick on the Pig. Didn’t the team as a whole not live up to the standard offense this team has a reputation for? Defense improved as did the pitching no doubt. Still this team came in second for yet another year.
I soloed in the Mile High Club!
by horsedooty on Oct 3, 2009 10:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Expectations
The Rangers were expected to win 70-75 games, and be out of the playoff picture by July. Instead, they’re going to win 87-89, and were a factor in the AL race until the last 2 weeks of the season.
I’d consider that a pretty good season.
"I cannot believe how fucking off base I was about Tiny E before this season. The Kid is great and is going to become a star."
- Wails
by RCCook on Oct 3, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nolan said 87 wins before the season
so regardless of what the rest of the world says, internally This Thing knows it did nothing special.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 3, 2009 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Says the person who predicted 73 wins
by TRanger on Oct 3, 2009 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm considered a part of the "rest of the world" and not an internal
member of the Ranger organization (as stated in my post). Little Boy Donuts said 2010 not because he actually knew how good the team would be but because he’s a corporate survivalist and didn’t want to be held accountable.
2010 is supposed to be THE YEAR but the future of This Thing is murky at best – see 1975, 1987 and 2005.
Factor in the ownership situation and the fact that nobody can be counted on to come up from AAA to make a huge impact and This Thing could go south in a hurry.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 3, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thank goodness...
…Nolan will fire Little Boy Donuts this offseason, since, as you’ve pointed out, he’s been incompetent and repeatedly crapped the bed, and Nolan won’t put up with that.
by Adam J. Morris on Oct 3, 2009 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
it always works for me
I just tell a girl that if she has one night of sex with me, it will be a lot better the second time.
/they ALWAYS come back for more
by kevinkinsler on Oct 3, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Adam
What acquisitions did JD make to help the team after February 6, 2008?
O’Day & Grilli…anything else?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 3, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are you describing the team as the Major League team or the organization as a whole?
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Oct 3, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What about the ones he made before that date that are helping the team?
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 Oct 3, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
bigsteve
This team was on the fringe of contention in August 2008 and smack in the middle of it in early September 2009…what specific acquisitions did our GM make after February 6, 2008 that helped the team?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 3, 2009 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shouldn't the question be what acquisitions did Nolan make that helped the team
You know since Nolan is the one running things
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 Oct 3, 2009 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nolan Ryan is not the GM of the team.
What specific acquisitions did JD make after February 6, 2008 to help the major league team win?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 3, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well for one thing we were not in contention in 2008
And this year he hasn’t had the resources (money) to make acquisitions like I believe he would like.
But of course only Josey Wales could find a way to blame the GM for a team that had increased its wins the last two years and has a talented young core of players in place for a competitive team for years to come.
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 Oct 3, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
bigsteve,
Did you find any moves (not mentioned) that JD made since February 6, 2008 to help the major league club win games?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 3, 2009 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ponson helped win games
And the moves made before that date have sure helped win games.
To be honest I don’t know if there is anything he could have done differently (given the circumstances at the time) to help this team any more than hes done. Given our financial restraints and timing issues hes made pretty much all the right moves in my mind. Sure we can bitch about Benson starting over Feldman for a couple weeks or whatever but the reality is under the restraints and restrictions hes been under from the owner hes done a hell of a job and has us in a position to be playing meaningful baseball games into late September for years to come. He may have been able to trade some guys away for immediate and short term help but I like the way he is looking long term. I personally will take a 2nd place finish this year if it means competing for playoff spots for the next 5 years rather than trade it all away for a playoff spot this year only to be back to bottom of the barrell in a couple years
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 Oct 3, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Omah was a great pickup
not only was he solid at the plate and wherever we put him in the field, he has probably been great
in the clubhouse, especially grooming Elvis
by kevinkinsler on Oct 3, 2009 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So with the club seeming to be on the verge of
something but losing a few different players who contributed heavily, what has happened in the past that is supposed to make me feel good about what JD will do to improve the team over the off-season?
The most value he ever received in a trade came at a very heavy cost with strange circumstances – a HOF player in his prime (likely runner-up MVP this year) with 1.5 years left on his contract dealt to a team with GM who didn’t care about the long-term future.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 3, 2009 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tex isn't an HOF player yet.
Though moving to NYY is definitely going to help him.
Right now he’s a very good player who has to keep up his current pace for probably 7-8 more years to get considered. If he slows down before that he probably misses.
right now Teixeira is looking a lot like this generations Raffy Palmerio. Very good player, but not really a hall of fame player.
What do voluntary mean?
by JKolar on Oct 3, 2009 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rafy is a HOF player
steroids or not, imo
if you don’t vote him bc of steroids, then whatever, but his numbers are freaking incredible
by BuckyB on Oct 3, 2009 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The problem with Raffy is
was he ever one of the best players in his league? He was a very good player, but was he ever a great player.
What do voluntary mean?
by JKolar on Oct 3, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
3020 hits + 569 HRs + 3 GGs
From Wiki
Palmeiro’s nine consecutive years with 38+ home runs broke Babe Ruth’s record of seven (1926–1932).
Palmeiro joined Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Eddie Murray as the only players in major league history to get 3,000 hits and 500 home runs
Those numbers are absolutely sick, but I agree he was never the best in the league, so I guess it just depends on what you think it takes to get into the Hall
I think he belongs, but I don’t give a shit about steroids
by BuckyB on Oct 3, 2009 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great numbers until
you realize the era he played in.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
by RangerMad on Oct 3, 2009 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Omar was fine but he wans't a true
game-changer. What, did he play 75 games this year?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 3, 2009 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
*wasn't
spell fail / typo
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 3, 2009 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You don't build a team with 25 game-changers
Vizquel was an important piece. He played his 75 (or whatever) games as the utility IF and did so very well. Also, he was a great mentor for Elvis.
If you won’t sign anyone who isn’t a top-level game-changer just because he’s not a game-changer, you won’t get very many wins.
by Inkara1 on Oct 3, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Man, we really Shit the Bed when we didn't deal for Nick Johnson
In technicolor too.
by JDT217 on Oct 3, 2009 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
don't forget Cliff Lee
and VMart.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
by RangerMad on Oct 3, 2009 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I forgot about Benson.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 3, 2009 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm agreeing with you
He crapped the bed. He pissed his pants. And he’ll be out of a job in a few days, because Nolan Ryan is running This Thing and won’t allow such incompetence to continue.
by Adam J. Morris on Oct 3, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So you're dodging the question.
I also don’t have any faith in the stupid sonofabitch making a move to help improve the major league team in the off-season because it’s always been his weakness.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 3, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not dodging the question
I’m agreeing with you, and saying that Nolan — who is in charge of This Thing — is surely going to fire Little Boy Donuts for his incompetence this offseason, because no team president with any sense could possibly allow someone so incompetent to continue on as g.m.
by Adam J. Morris on Oct 3, 2009 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed
You don’t think that Nolan hasn’t noticed how JD has done absolutely nothing to help the success of our team?!
Plus he talks to the players, so he knows that no one respects JD.
And! I guarantee you that Nolan has noticed how JD won’t sit next to him at the games, and will strongly consider this point when deciding who the next GM should be.
by BuckyB on Oct 3, 2009 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What the fuck has Nolan done since January 31st, 2009?
Absolutely fucking nothing but just be, well, another year older.
In his Great Demigod Status, he should have known Michael Jackson was going to die, and bought up all available memorabilia and hoarded it. Then, after Jackson died on June 25, 2009, he would have the market cornered and could have sold all the memorabilia and used the proceeds to upgrade the roster.
After all, Jun 25, 2009 was far enough from the trading deadline of July 31, 2009 for the stupid sonofabitch to see that this offense was shitting the bed.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"When you have a weapon on your shoulder like he has, you can be cool." RW on Perez
And the little bastard threw it for a swinging strike three in a 3-2 count. He’s blessed. And ballsy.
by Rodney on Oct 3, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Also
JD certainly knew of the inpending financial crisis last fall and the effect it was to have on HSG’s finances. Yet he did nothing!
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
by RangerMad on Oct 3, 2009 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like this new angle.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 4, 2009 6:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly...because second
is REALLY common for this team…along with close to 90 wins…
by bigskinny on Oct 3, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Relative to past performance
And in terms of progress toward expectations for the younger players.
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912) also -
"Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance."
~Ambrose Bierce
by Ed Coffin on Oct 3, 2009 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
x
Hi Ed,
what is relative to past performances? Last year we were second also to the LAAAAAAA Angels, NO? are we to just accept this as good? I don’t think that is what JD and Nolan and Warsh have in mind, do you?
I soloed in the Mile High Club!
by horsedooty on Oct 3, 2009 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey
I’d consider “relative” to be a generality pointed at day to day effectiveness, and how I think about the won-loss record (how that record happened). Relative position in the standings isn’t something a team can control e.g. how others fare is mostly up to them.
So my “relative” is looking at the last ten years, and allowing for a few shumps and injuries that cost the Rangers the 2009 AL West. By contrast, last year was a banner offensive year, yet the record and near term outlook wasn’t as good as we saw in 2009.
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912) also -
"Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance."
~Ambrose Bierce
by Ed Coffin on Oct 3, 2009 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
thanks for your perspective.
with all the talk about needing MB to come back and be the hitter we did not have this year, is the near term outlook as good as it seems?
I soloed in the Mile High Club!
by horsedooty on Oct 3, 2009 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know
Too much depends on individuals either not declining, or returning to their norm. Kinsler, Hamilton, Young. And for all the discussion about David, Salty, et al being hopefully better in 2010, I’d opine that continued (or improved) run prevention is still #1 on the priority chart. Can’t afford a relapse in that area (pitching and defense). It would be a plus to add a high OBP bat with some pop, sure. But that’s #2 at best on the “need” list. Just opinion.
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912) also -
"Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance."
~Ambrose Bierce
by Ed Coffin on Oct 3, 2009 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aaargh
Davis, not David. Sorry.
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912) also -
"Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance."
~Ambrose Bierce
by Ed Coffin on Oct 3, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
no prob knew what you meant. sorry for the slow reply. weird crappy internet tubes today.
I soloed in the Mile High Club!
by horsedooty on Oct 3, 2009 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lipstick on the pig
If there was anything I learned last election it’s that I never want to hear anything about applying cosmetics to farm animals ever again.
by TRanger on Oct 3, 2009 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Heh
At minimum, you’ll avoid swine flu, mad cow disease, and brucellosis.
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912) also -
"Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance."
~Ambrose Bierce
by Ed Coffin on Oct 3, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol
I soloed in the Mile High Club!
by horsedooty on Oct 3, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it's sad that pigs get stereotyped as ugly and NEED lipstick
by oc on Oct 3, 2009 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL
I soloed in the Mile High Club!
by horsedooty on Oct 3, 2009 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
McCarthy
Too bad he isn’t the ace and team leader, because then he could have told them how bad he wanted to stay in and he could have gone all 9.
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
by rentz on Oct 3, 2009 11:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Davis has been doing quite well this past month
.320/.355/.524 in 10 September PAs and an .841 OPS overall since coming back. Ks are still up but they are at a more manageable level now. He’s still no guarantee for next season, but it looks like he is at the point where he can work on his issues at the Major League level without struggling as poorly as he did in the first half.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Oct 3, 2009 11:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Davis had a .219 average / .269 obp
on September 24 of this season.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 3, 2009 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't you have a thread to discuss Davis?
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Oct 3, 2009 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He can't help himself
anyone saying anything good about Davis gets him upset about the treatment of his boy.
What do voluntary mean?
by JKolar on Oct 3, 2009 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I merely stated Davis' stats thru 150 games of the season.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 3, 2009 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can deal with 1 K/gm
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
by RangerMad on Oct 3, 2009 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Olney on Rangers
. Heard this: All things being equal, Major League Baseball would love for former agent Dennis Gilbert — a longtime ally of Jerry Reinsdorf — to fashion an acceptable offer for the Texas Rangers. But there are some doubts within MLB about whether Gilbert’s group has the money to get it done (and the final price is expected to be about $475 million). As of Friday, the group led by Chuck Greenberg, a sports attorney from Pittsburgh, was viewed as a front-runner to purchase the Rangers, and the fact that Greenberg is seen as willing to rely on current Texas president Nolan Ryan is seen as a major plus. Jim Crane, a Houston businessman, has also submitted a bid, according to Jeff Wilson.
Tom Hicks, who owns the Rangers, is said to desperately want to maintain control of the team, but given the financial circumstances, this is going to be difficult — and MLB wants this situation advanced within the next six weeks.
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Oct 3, 2009 1:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
rangers
I like reading about this stuff. Sooner Hicks is out of the picture the better imo.
I soloed in the Mile High Club!
by horsedooty on Oct 3, 2009 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmm, sounds like this is really being fast-tracked
One may think the Rangers are important to MLB…
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"When you have a weapon on your shoulder like he has, you can be cool." RW on Perez
And the little bastard threw it for a swinging strike three in a 3-2 count. He’s blessed. And ballsy.
by Rodney on Oct 3, 2009 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Of course!
Everyone knows that MLB is fixing games so the Rangers can get some attention in football-crazy Texas. Rev Halofan said so, so it must be true.
by Inkara1 on Oct 3, 2009 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now it's down to $475 million.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
by RangerMad on Oct 3, 2009 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wish I had $475 million
After our 3 WS’s, how much do you think the team will be worth?
by BuckyB on Oct 3, 2009 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Only 3?
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
by RangerMad on Oct 3, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Then I'd buy the Angels with the money
and Tom Hicks their asses
by BuckyB on Oct 3, 2009 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
For some epically horrific radio
flip on the Fan right now.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"When you have a weapon on your shoulder like he has, you can be cool." RW on Perez
And the little bastard threw it for a swinging strike three in a 3-2 count. He’s blessed. And ballsy.
by Rodney on Oct 3, 2009 2:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm glad this season is finally coming to an end.
Another season, no playoffs. I agree with horsedooty. I guess this season could be called a “success” or that it’s some kind of damned moral victory that we didn’t finish upside down in the standings FOR ONCE. However, it’s a season where we yet again fell short, and significantly short, of a playoff spot and will thus again have to watch playoff baseball on TV.
Is that what success is in baseball? After slaving over a season that’s longer than a felony prison sentence, we get a pat on the ass and a “good season, folks”, where other teams go on to compete for the real prize. Is that what a successful season is? Is that what we settle for? If teams like us are settling for that, and that is acceptable to some, baseball is a goddamned joke. Wake the fuck up, people.
Son, if you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now quiet! They're about to announce the lottery numbers. - Homer Simpson
by SarasotaRanger on Oct 3, 2009 3:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Its been how long since we last made the playoffs?
This year was a building year. Yes if all you look at to determine success is if we made the playoffs then no it wasn’t successful. But in that case only 4 teams in each league have successful seasons. Baseballs playoffs are the most exclusive of the 4 major sports. This season we built a very strong foundation toward our future.
If there was a move out there that could have made this season a successful one without robbing us of future success then we should have made it but there wasn’t one that I can see being available.
Now next year I think this type of result would be disappointing but right now im feeling really good about the Texas Rangers regardless of the fact they missed the playoffs this year
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 Oct 3, 2009 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So...
It doesn’t matter to you if we finish in 2nd or last, if we have a winning record or lose 100, if we don’t make a playoffs, the season is a failure.
by Adam J. Morris on Oct 3, 2009 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That mentality...
…is going to make you miserable, if you aren’t a fan of the Yankees or Boston.
by Adam J. Morris on Oct 3, 2009 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's repetitive to say
But if I enjoy watching the team play, and they play good baseball, I’m pretty satisfied. I just don’t understand sports fans who have to have a championship or their lives are diminished. It’s recreation, and unless you play professionally it’s leisure recreation at that. When a team loses, I don’t lose – the team does. When a team wins, I haven’t beat anybody down. And neither my health nor my income depend on a team’s record, or a player’s stats.
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912) also -
"Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance."
~Ambrose Bierce
by Ed Coffin on Oct 3, 2009 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i just don't see any difference
from a fans standpoint for finishing 2nd, 3rd, or 4th.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
by DJCahill on Oct 3, 2009 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Like, win or don't win?
I do have moments that are head shakers, like when a sprinter breaks a world record and the runner in 2nd place also breaks the old record. Great effort, awesome performance, but only a silver medal or a red ribbon. Wow.
It begs the question, would runner #2 have set a world record (or even won the race) if runner #1 hadn’t been out there? Point is, you don’t really know. But again, standings are a sort of measure of how close did you come. Thus finish can be significant for a team or a competitor.
I guess in live in a world of grey shades, perceiving very little as black or white.
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912) also -
"Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance."
~Ambrose Bierce
by Ed Coffin on Oct 3, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I live in a world of color
damn shame all you have is greys.
All I know is that the 2009 team. while they were still in it, played 500 ball down the stretch when it was time to stand up. No amount of pointless wins after they are out of it is going to change that for me.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
by DJCahill on Oct 3, 2009 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I got that. Yeah the ineptitude with bats was really disappointing. But it didn’t change my outlook on liking this team.
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912) also -
"Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance."
~Ambrose Bierce
by Ed Coffin on Oct 3, 2009 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the team had
a good year. but wins or losses right now don’t change that any more than wins or losses in Spring Training this year/ If this team lost the remainder of their games, would it change your viewpoint of them?
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
by DJCahill on Oct 3, 2009 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well no, it's two games
And I wouldn’t enjoy losing out (or even most of the time) from any point during a season, but it’s still not the point.
The point is, I appreciate good play. I watch to enjoy what happens on the field. Just not into bragging rights over a division, ALCS, or Series and not into suicidal thoughts if the team tanks.
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912) also -
"Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance."
~Ambrose Bierce
by Ed Coffin on Oct 3, 2009 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good play now
is no more or less important than good spring training play. Just a time to pad empty stats.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
by DJCahill on Oct 3, 2009 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dan I agree with that
Somehow you’ve injected “now” into a little editorial that I meant to apply every game of every year of every decade as long as I’ve been aware of baseball. Where did the “now” tilt come from?
And I’m not on your lawn …… hehehe
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912) also -
"Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance."
~Ambrose Bierce
by Ed Coffin on Oct 3, 2009 7:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
Sports is the male version of a soap opera; entertain, distract, provide an outlet for emotions, bonding amongst like fans, etc. Enjoyable when all goes well, but certainly nothing to gnash teeth, rend garments, and Wail over.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"When you have a weapon on your shoulder like he has, you can be cool." RW on Perez
And the little bastard threw it for a swinging strike three in a 3-2 count. He’s blessed. And ballsy.
by Rodney on Oct 3, 2009 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
If I go to a game and we win AND there is a hope to get to the playoffs, I’ve had myself a great night. If at the end of the season we don’t make the playoffs, it doesn’t change the fact that I went to 26 home games this year and more often than not (including the last home game) I left having had a ridiculously good time.
Same goes for the Mavs when they won 67 games. That season was incredible, and while it sucks that we lost in the first round, I enjoyed that season of Mavs basketball more than any other except the Finals run.
by BuckyB on Oct 4, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm tired of losing,
and moral victories. Period. I am fucking miserable after a decade of despair and shit, with one more season ending at the beginning of October. And I disagree with BigSteve, who believes we have built a “foundation” for the future. What makes us think we are ever going to be better than the Angels or the inevitable wild card BOS/NYY each year??? We had a lead in June, we gradually lost it, along the while slumping and forgetting how to score runs. I don’t see why the Angels won’t still be better than us next year. Virtually nobody on this team has been on a winner, and I’m starting to think that matters down the stretch.
I’m tired as fuck of the losing, Adam. The fact that finishing second, or winning eighty-something games, or whatever, is somewhat acceptable shows how skewed some fans’ thinking and expectations have become, and just further exhibits the eye-popping lack of parity in baseball, especially in the American League.
Son, if you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now quiet! They're about to announce the lottery numbers. - Homer Simpson
by SarasotaRanger on Oct 3, 2009 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
well this year
you got to watch a lot few losing games and a lot more winning games. That’s a plus on a day to day basis isn’t it? You also got to have hope for most of the year that the team would make it into the postseason. Sure it sucks when they’re eliminated, but for the other 90% of the season don’t you have much more excitement about the team than you otherwise would have?
by MikeEl on Oct 3, 2009 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
losing
I am tired of losing also.
for a long time I would have settled for just playing .500 ball. in terms of being one of the “elite” teams that play in post season, yeah, coming in 2nd or 3rd or 4th is a losing season.
I soloed in the Mile High Club!
by horsedooty on Oct 3, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did you look at this roster at the beginning of the season and expect the playoffs?
Because if you didn’t I imagine you were expecting .500 to be a good season. We have blown that out of the water. How that couldn’t be considered a success is beyond me. If you are unhappy if we don’t make the playoffs every year then you are an angry unhappy old man and I feel sorry for you
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 Oct 3, 2009 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
x
if you are talking to me, I will cop to being an old man so 2 outta 3 ain’t bad. :)
I soloed in the Mile High Club!
by horsedooty on Oct 3, 2009 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm 30.
And I’m not so angry. Bitter and jaded would be a bit more accurate.
Son, if you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now quiet! They're about to announce the lottery numbers. - Homer Simpson
by SarasotaRanger on Oct 3, 2009 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In 40 years some of that will go away
Trust me LOL.
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912) also -
"Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance."
~Ambrose Bierce
by Ed Coffin on Oct 3, 2009 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Don't make the playoffs every year? Are you serious?
WE DON’T MAKE THE PLAYOFFS ANY YEAR!!!!!!!! What the fucking hell are you talking about? When we have a chance to compete in the division, we find a new way to shit our pants… to wit, our offense has a collective aneurysm, when this team’s typical year-in-year-out offense coupled with THIS year’s pitching would’ve probably overtaken Boston.
I’m not expecting playoffs EVERY year… never said anywhere on here that I did… but I DON’T expect decade-long droughts. I expect the team to get it done once in a blue moon. They had a chance this year, looked better than previous years, but still found a way to not get it done. You’re FUCKING right I’m bitter about it.
Son, if you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now quiet! They're about to announce the lottery numbers. - Homer Simpson
by SarasotaRanger on Oct 3, 2009 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And in the end
There was no move we could have realistically made that would have guaranteed us the playoffs this year and any move that would have given us a much better chance would have diminished our chances in the coming years.
Am I disappointed we didn’t make the playoffs…yeah. But looking back at the expectations I had at the beginning of the season there is absolutely zero chance I could call this season, as a whole, a disappointment. ZERO.
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 Oct 3, 2009 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I respect your position, bigsteve,
and I respect what you write on here, although I disagree on McCarthy, but hey whatever. If you put a gun to my head and said what will the Rangers do this year, I would not have predicted 90 wins. However, when the team finally has the pitching and defense to get it done, and builds a lead in the division, expectations, at least mine, changed. They found a way not to get it done, so I’m quite disappointed.
Son, if you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now quiet! They're about to announce the lottery numbers. - Homer Simpson
by SarasotaRanger on Oct 3, 2009 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
of course
the average team makes the playoffs 1 year in 5. The Rangers should be making it one year in every 4, and making the wildcard 1 year in 14, if they were run like an average franchise.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
by DJCahill on Oct 3, 2009 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, a phong is ringing!
It’s Jerrah, for you.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"When you have a weapon on your shoulder like he has, you can be cool." RW on Perez
And the little bastard threw it for a swinging strike three in a 3-2 count. He’s blessed. And ballsy.
by Rodney on Oct 3, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
passion
It does surprise me that from all the FU’s in the game day threads, with the screaming and yelling, I would have thought more would be pissed the Rangers did not make the post season.
I soloed in the Mile High Club!
by horsedooty on Oct 3, 2009 5:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The gameday threads are never a good measure of the rational pulse of Rangerland
Most folks, myself included are just letting their heat-of-the-moment emotions fly in the GDT’s. Reality and rational thinking sets in after we cool off.
I’m not dissapointed we didn’t make the playoffs this year because I knew, months back that this team didn’t really have the offense to do it. If we where gonna make the playoffs we where gonna back into it because the Angels imploded, not because we caught them. And the Angels didn’t implode.
However, just because this isn’t a playoff caliber team yet doesn’t mean I’m going to be dissapointed with the season. Progress was made, and that always counts for something. This isn’t a fluke like 2004 again, we have afuture right now. If I’m dissapointed with anything about this season (besides the pathetic fail in offensive approach), it’s the way this team shut down in September when they realized they weren’t gonna make it.
Hank is 7 runs below a zombie replacement at first base. Do you realize how terrible that is? Zombie’s can’t think, they’re slow, and they’re often ejected from the game for eating opposing baserunners’ brains. - Ben quantifies Hank Blalock
by lonestarJon on Oct 3, 2009 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well the hell of it is
It is a playoff caliber team. Better season record than Detroit or Minnesota (although that’s the only division where that’s true). Caiber (degree of excellence or importance). Enough winning baseball to think the Rangers will probably be in postseason play or contention for it for the next few years. But to agree with the post, yes. Pleased with what we got.
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912) also -
"Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance."
~Ambrose Bierce
by Ed Coffin on Oct 3, 2009 7:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
GDT's are a whole 'nother animal.
Anything goes there…
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"When you have a weapon on your shoulder like he has, you can be cool." RW on Perez
And the little bastard threw it for a swinging strike three in a 3-2 count. He’s blessed. And ballsy.
by Rodney on Oct 3, 2009 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have always thought they might be auditions for guest hosting on the Ticket. A place to go to try out your stick.
I soloed in the Mile High Club!
by horsedooty on Oct 3, 2009 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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