Wednesday a.m. things
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 22, 2009 9:38 AM CDT
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PrintYeah, it was a little scarier than you would have liked, but still, a win against Roy Halladay is a win against Roy Halladay, and I'll take it.
And kudos to Ron Washington for making the bold, unconventional, and correct move by going and getting Frankie Francisco in the 8th inning in a crucial situation, rather than saving him for a save situation which might not have arrived if he hadn't brought Frankie into the game when he did.
Jeff Wilson's game story focuses on Francisco, who had never had to get the final five outs of the game in a save situation before yesterday.
Of course, part of the reason Washington ended up having to bring Frankie into the game when he did was Brandon McCarthy's inability to get past the sixth inning. Heading into the sixth, it looked like Brandon was going to be able to go seven, but a 10 pitch at bat by Adam Lind, and a walk to Lyle Overbay, ran his pitch count into the mid-90s, which led to Eddie Guardado starting the 7th.
McCarthy is now 2-0 with a 4.76 ERA on the season, which is okay, but drilling down in the numbers gives you cause for concern. He has a 7.20 FIP right now, with 5 homers allowed, 9 walks, and 14 strikeouts. McCarthy is going to give up homers, but the walk number is something that is going to have to come down if he's going to continue to post a sub-5 ERA. On the plus side, he's gone from 4 walks to 3 walks to 2 walks in his starts this season, so the number is coming down, but still...there's going to have to be improvement going forward.
Kris Benson's elbow tendinitis has been an issue since spring training, but he's saying he thinks he's good now, and won't have any more problems. We shall see. I still won't be surprised if he ends up on the d.l. this week.
Evan Grant has some notes up as well, comparing Brandon McCarthy to Rick Helling, and talking about some adjustments Michael Young has made in working with Dave Anderson which may have made the difference on that game-saving snag last night in the 8th.
You have to feel bad for Grant, who is skipping the trip to Toronto, but who is going to Baltimore later in the week. Being given the choice between Toronto and Baltimore is like being given the choice between...well, similes fail me. Like being given the choice between somewhere really great and somewhere that sucks.
Mike Hindman has a detailed write-up of Kasey Kiker's outstanding 7 inning stint for Frisco yesterday, including pitch charts. And Evan Grant has some quotes from pitching coach Joe Slusarski and a scout about Kiker.
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I'm surprised
there isn’t much mention in the Francisco coming in to get 5 outs story about CJ Wilson’s performance against a lefty. Considering CJ was considered to be one of the more solid parts of the bullpen coming into this season, his struggles are definitely a cause for concern.
"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris
Part of the Bill James genius surrounding his creation of Game Scores
is that while a pitcher can indeed give you a Quality Start such as McCarthy did last night, James can give you a better idea on how he pitched.
McCarthy had a Game Score of 48 which isn’t bad but it is fairly pedestrian/mediocre and nothing that should cause widespread panty pudding in the Ranger Nation.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Two weeks in and I'm not sold yet...
Elvis sure seemed to escape a lot of the blame thrown towards CJ after the Detroit Debacle and he made what could have been a very costly error last night.
I’ll admit if I’m wrong but he’s been here for two weeks and that’s not enough data.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions
Nelson Cruz sure is looking good
Looks like JD didn’t screw the pooch in trading the great and well spoken Kevin Mench, Laynce Nix, and Francisco Cordero for him.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Nelson Cruz does look good and I said so after I saw him
in Arizona. He is going to be a very good hitter this year.
Per JD, come back to me when he does something at the major league level that helps the team win more games than they lose on a consistent basis.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions
So...
…your points are immune from criticism for two years, because anything else would just be “a fluke”?
For example, if the Rangers went…oh, I don’t know…84-78 this season, that wouldn’t be “on a consistent basis.” That would be a one-time fluke, you would most likely claim.
Seeking a new signature...
Aren't you expecting a lot more than 84-78 from an
organization boasting the best minor league system in the game?
Are your expectations THAT low?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions
Is this confusing to anyone else?
by Anonymous New Guy on Apr 22, 2009 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Its only confusing if you expect something to make sense from Josey
For example, his reply to my post about CJ Wilson giving up one hit not being a big deal might be confusing to some. Some might wonder what the hell Bill James game scores and Brandon McCarthy has to do with that. Others know that Josey is too stupid to use a reply button and just shrug it off.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Gdawg, your baseball opinions
are coated in fluff (calling Matt Harrison “a great pitcher” ??)so I don’t pay too much attention to anything you write when it concerns the Great Game.
I replied to your post only because the bottom post wouldn’t let me post to it for some reason.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions
Its a sign
That you shouldn’t be posting anywhere.
Matt Harrison is a great pitcher. That doesn’t mean that he’s going to be lights out from Day 1 or Day 100. It means that I think he has a very bright future ahead of him.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Exactly, Gdawg.
An opinion coated in meaningless homer fluff and a clear demonstration of your baseball knowledge.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions
Heh, you don't read, do you?
I’m guessing an 80-82 record.
Lose the season finale at Seattle to just miss out on a .500 record.
Seeking a new signature...
John Danks, AG, Chris Young, Armando Galarraga
trading Soriano (in a contract year), building a staff that gave up 967 runs, $ 9 million for JJennings, Broussard, Fukomori when you have a small market payroll, hiring, extending and then proclaiming “I’m A Ron Washington Man!!!!”…and then we have something called “standings.”
JD has a lot of work in front of him to make up for his ridiculous past.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions
so what about nolan saying there was nothing wrong with RW
i guess he was just following JD’s instrucitons, right?
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Apr 22, 2009 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions
also
jennings has been pretty damn good this year
fukomori, like all japanese players was hit or miss
broussard was a RW thing IIRC
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Apr 22, 2009 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions
Oh, and has anybody taken a good look at that bullpen
that JD built this year?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions
umm
Per JD, come back to me when he does something at the major league level that helps the team win more games than they lose on a consistent basis.
So now I have it on record that you think Andrus and Cruz won’t help the team win more games than they lsoe on a consistent basis?
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
What you have on record is that JD is in his 4th year and
has not built a team that has finished above .500 since he became the GM although he received a 20%+ bump in payroll and took over a young team 13 months away from winning 89 games.
That’s what you have on record.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions
I'd like to address your "young team" comment
in 2005, one year after the magic 2004 season, the Rangers sported a rotating roster whose top 26 players (based on apperances for starters/ Rp, and AB’s for batters)
Of those 26 players, 12 were acquired via free agency. In order for the Rangers to get them, they must have been cut by their previous team (meaning they werent good enough to make the 40 man) OR they had to have been playing long enough to qualify for free agency, meaning they are not young.
There were 11 players on the 2005 team that the Rangers aquired prior to thier rookie apperance. Of those 11, we had Teixeira, Young, Blalock, C Young, Laird, CJ Wilson. Well short of the required 13+ players required to make a winning team.
The World Series Crisis - Ranger fans held hostage; Game 5875
JD's Positives and negatives
Negatives: 1) letting RW run too much of the show, re: 2008 adventures with Ben Broussard and Chris Shelton. 2) also leaving Nelson Cruz on the farm too long last year. 3) Matt Kata. 4) early bad trades 5) giving up on Armando Galarraga.
I will say this however, its unlikely that Danks would have dominated in Arlington, as he’s a flyball pitcher, and The Ballpark tends to eat that type up. Feliz, on the other hand, seems to be a ground ball/strikeout pitcher, so I think he’ll do very well here. Holland seems to be a strikeout/fly ball pitcher, but flyball lefties fare better at The Ballpark than flyball righties.
Positives:
1) Best system in the majors (and not just because of Feliz, Holland, and Smoak, This system has depth. I counted 31 minor leaguers (or recent minor leaguers) who are “young” for their league. Most of these would be considered “prospects” This includes major leaguers like Elvis Andrus, Derek Holland, Chris Davis, Matt Harrison (who’s only 22) and many other minor leaguers.
2) What we now call the Mark Teixeira Robbery. Big Tex may indeed be a HOFer, but 1.5 seasons of him plus a couple of months of Ron Mahay for Andrus, Feliz, Harrison, Beau Jones, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. (that’s two up-the middle starting major leaguers, a major league starting pitcher, and one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, plus a decent relief prospect in Beau Jones). In fact, I’d say that by 2011, we might have 4 all-stars from that one trade (assuming that Harrison matures and starts to get people out consistently.)
3) Getting good returns for aging veterans in Eric Gagne, Gerald Laird, and Kenny Lofton and others
4) giving us hope. hope not for 2009, but for 2010 and beyond.
Umm Danks is a lefty
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
http://tinyurl.com/ranger-rage
Huh?
How did Broussard and Shelton hurt this club in the long run? Who else was going to play 1B to start last year? Davis wasn’t ready. And god only knows how much bitching would have occured had Catalanotto been given the starting job. Did both those players suck….yeah they did. But there was nothing wrong with the decision to bring either of them in to play 1B to start last year.
And it wasn’t JDs fault Cruz got hurt last year right at the time when he would have been called up. Forget that? Yeah he would probably have been called up at the beginning of August but got hurt and thus got pushed back.
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.
Really?
You think that there would have been more complaining about Cat being hte first baseman than in paying Broussard $3.5 million to come in and not be as good as Cat?
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 22, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions
How were we supposed to know Broussard was going to suck so bad?
Seriously. He had never been that bad in his career. He wasn’t brought in to be some sort of monster offensive player. He was only intended to hold the fort down for a year until Davis was ready, play decent to good defense, and hit at the bottom of the order. His defense had never been as bad as it was last year. His offense either.
Was his contract bloated…no doubt. But all that is hindsight.
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.
If a future HOF like Teix
couldn’t get this team over .500, what chance does a throw in like Cruz and a SNL cast member have.
The World Series Crisis - Ranger fans held hostage; Game 5875
so he has errors this year
im SHOCKED, SHOCKED i tell you
who knew that a 20 year old SS with a history of errors would make them at the highest level of baseball in the world?
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Apr 22, 2009 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions
I dont think anyone is
saying that McCarthy pitched lights out last night. Honestly, if through ten starts McCarthy makes all of his starts Ill be happy.
by Michael Cave on Apr 22, 2009 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions
I think the best we can hope for from McCarthy
is 15-18 outings like we’ve seen this year with a few nuggets tossed our way plus a lot of mediocrity.
He’ll never be as good as John Danks.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions
john danks arm could fall off tomarrow
all of us can say whatever we want about that deal and i was ready to punch a hole through a wall when that trade went down, but the future is uncharted territory, and say no1 will ever be as good as any1 else. you just cant ever tell
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
danks
was flat out BAD before he learned the cutter.
i guess that the cubs should be blamed for trading nolasco back in 05…because in 06-07 he had an era+ of about 80 (vs danks era+ of 86) and then he learned the cutter last year and was all the sudden an above average pitcher
heres a question for you: had danks been a 90 era+ guy last year would anyone really be complaining as much as they are now? if danks was a glendon rusch or eric milton type pitcher would anyone be upset about the trade?
equally, if nolasco (who started out last year in the BULLPEN) didnt learn the cutter, would anyone care if he was a 90 era+ player? would the cubs be beating themselves up for trading him? no. are they beating themselves up now?
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Apr 22, 2009 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions
or maybe....
people should stop treating bill james like he knows everything…
just a thought
the fact that you like him merely means he means less to me
He knows a lot
The problem is that Josey constantly misuses information and ignores many other things that Bill James says or believes because that doesn’t support his crap
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
I think it kind of is.
I think it signals the end of the CJ Wilson as 8th inning setup guy for the near term.
"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris
plus
he’s not really sporting control problems or a velocity drop. I don’t think you stop using a guy just because of mental makeup – especially when you have the rangers bullpen. they already took him out of the closer’s role. If the 8th inning comes up where he’s going to face 2 lefties, I think they still use him.
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
That sounds
more like a situational lefty than an 8th inning setup guy, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see situational lefty be a new role for him.
"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris
well
it’s more than a LOOGY. I think he’s at worst behind jennings on teh depth chart but more likely on the same level. Both are only behind Frankie
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
So far this season
JJ seems much more reliable. The only question I have with JJ, is will they let him go back to back, and back to back to back in games. They have used him fairly sparingly.
"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris
So we're going to pitch FX2 2 innings at a time now?
Or do you trust Jason Jennings much more in that role? I just don’t see who else is on this team that I would want in the 8th inning over CJ.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
I wouldn't be surprised
to see JJ in the 8th unless it is lefty stacked.
"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris
What a difference 2 weeks can make then
Jennings has been good, but I still can’t say that I trust him more than CJ in a close game.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Struggles?
He made a damn good pitch that a guy got a bloop single on. I wouldn’t consider that struggling
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.
Wash's decisions
As much as we like to rip his dumb decisions… we do need to acknowledge that he made a bunch of good decisions in this game.
I thought an even better one was NOT doing the one reliever = one inning thing. Bringing in Everyday Eddie for one batter, going to Jennings, then leaving Jennings in for the first two batters of the eighth (instead of giving the entire inning to CJ) just might show what he can do with a rested bullpen.
this isn't the first time the bullpen has been rested
but it is the first time Wash has managed the BP by percentages instead of his “gut” one-inning performances. I was going to be pretty pissed off if Guardado had pitched to anyone that is not left-handed. And, I was shocked that he pulled him after one batter, but I liked all the moves last night.
And, it’s not as though if you pitch a guy to one hitter that he can’t go the next night as well.
The "Fire Wash Watch" is on. I say he's gone by April 26th.
If Wash manages by the book the rest of the year
The Rangers might have a pretty good season.
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
http://tinyurl.com/ranger-rage
Wash
His management of the last two games has been very good.
"Was this really necsarry?" - cowpoke/hurler hurley
Wash's management was helped out a great deal by the play
Young made on VWells and the fact that the baseball gods sent the Barajas rocket his way as well.
It’s a nice win, a great win but there was some nice luck involved as well.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions
There was some luck involved?
You think Vazquez or Davis make that catch? Maybe, just maybe, the Rangers did the smart thing in moving Young to 3B this season? NAH
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
It was a nice win, Gdawg
but I wouldn’t be ordering playoff tix just yet.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Who the hell said anything about playoff tickets?
Enjoy the damn moment Josey and move on. It’s ok to say you were wrong on Elvis and Cruz you know no shame in that game. I don’t think any of us were expecting a playoff game this year. Now next year that is a different story. I expect them to compete for the division next year.
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
http://tinyurl.com/ranger-rage
x
Rock Flag & Eagle Radio: Thursdays 10 PM - 1 AM on FM 88.7 The Choice
"Computers can’t measure the size of a man’s heart."
- Hawk Harrelson, MLB Guru/Analyst
Playoffs?
Don’t talk about playoffs. Are you kidding me? Playoffs?
by Anonymous New Guy on Apr 22, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
so basically
If something confirms your previous beliefs it’s a fact, but if it contradicts your beliefs it’s attributable to luck.
"Was this really necsarry?" - cowpoke/hurler hurley
Or it just didn't happen at all
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
http://tinyurl.com/ranger-rage
The sooner everyone realizes this FACT (myself included)...
the higher the signal-to-noise ratio on here will be.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
so basically
isn’t there a modicum of luck in every game?
I soloed in the Mile High Club!
It’s a nice win, a great win but there was some nice luck involved as well.
now put that onto the danks trade from the whitesox perspective:
It’s a nicewintrade, (which became) a greatwintrade but there was some nice luck involved as well.(danks learning the cutter)
right?
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Apr 22, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions
A rare, very savvy move by Wash.
When CJ gave up the RBI single, I told myself that if Wash didn’t go get Frankie, I was going to get aboard the “Fire Wash” train. That would have been the last straw for me.
But alas, he made the right, sabermetrically-sound decision, and it paid off. Kudos to Ron. Still not in love with him, but you’ve got to give credit where credit is due.
Also, I’d like to point out that Andrus is hitting .333 and laid down a beautiful sacrifice last night. Even if it didn’t matter (Kinsler homered right after him), it was an excellent play by a guy who is definitely not ready for The Show.
Seeking a new signature...
Are you saying...
it was savvy of him to avoid punching ghtd36’s ticket aboard the “Fire Wash” train?
"It takes a big dog to weigh 1000 pounds"
That was a horrible sacrifice
For one thing it wasn’t a sacrifice no matter what the box score says. He was trying to bunt for a hit but made a horrible bunt. The 3rd baseman was playing back and if he would have rolled that up the third base line we would have had 1st and 3rd with one out.
And a sacrifice there does very little good anyway. There still were two outs so only a hit would have scored that run (or a WP I know but that doesn’t significantly improve our chances)
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.
but if it does suck
use a jimmy hat, because Baltimore has been the STD capital of America.
"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris
I have a tremendous amount of minutae bouncing around my brain
but knowing which cities rank where in relation to STD’s was something I did not know.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions
SFA!
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Apr 22, 2009 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions
it's not anymore
and the syphilis epidemic was a freak occurrence
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
more like a 'superfreak' occurence...
amirite? eh? wink wink nudge nudge?
I got nuthin…
Grieve: The Yanks have struggled so far. - Lewin: Yeah, cry me a bag of money.
ElectricOkra.com
My only knowledge of Baltimore and Toronto
comes from watching baseball. And Camden Yards >>> SkyDome. So I’ve always thought that Baltimore must be nicer than Toronto, which has an over-hygienic, stale feel.
Of course, then I watched a few episodes of The Wire…
Per Baltimore
The best ballpark food I’ve ever had in my life was the crabcake sandwich I had at Camden Yards.
It’s some kind of combo dish with fries and it cost $ 10 back in 2004 but it was well worth it.
The Boog Powell BBQ – Smells nice but a little overrated, buddy.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions
im SUPER excited about going to camden yards this summer
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Apr 22, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions
are you going this weekend?
I might have to catch a game or two. We went last year, sat in the outfield next to the Rangers bull pen.
Call 1-800-DOCTORB. The B is for bargain!
hmmm i may have to
its almost exactly a 40 mile drive
fwiw they are in balitmore:
this weekkend (fri-mon) and then 9/4-5-6
so yes i am going — but not sure if i am going to go fri, sat or fri/sat
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Apr 22, 2009 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Baltimore has some really nice places.
Camden is fantastic, and the inner harbor is a fine place to spend a day or so. Also there’s some historical shit worth seeing if you’re one of those types. Baltimore’s real problem is that it seems like for every nice area there’s 50 square miles of “Don’t go there or you’ll die” ghetto to match it.
Never been to Skydome but it looks pretty generic. Toronto is a really nice city overall, though.
If I were picking a city to live, it’d be Toronto hands down, no questions asked.
But a city to visit?
I don’t know how you can Baltimore is a shitty place to visit.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"I guess it’s tough to look good when you play on the same team as Marcus Lemon." -Trip Somers.
"Congratulations, Mr. Somers. You just made THE LIST." -The Newberg, after reading the above comment.
by thedirkatron on Apr 22, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions
federal hill area is suppoed to be pretty sweet
fwiw
(btw nice dealing with you)
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Apr 22, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions
I went to the Little Italy section of Baltimore
and it was pretty nice. The restaurant was straight out of The Godfather and I kept waiting for Al Pacino to come out of the bathroom and shoot somebody.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Section = 3 blocks
But yah, agreed.
I'm Matt mutha-effing Bush, bitches, and mutha-eff East County.
"I'm as passionate and knowlegeable as any fan out there." Josey Wales
by Brian Thomas on Apr 22, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions
I can't remember for sure but I wanna say
in that 3 block section there were 48 Italian restaurants.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions
You are misremembering
I’d say more like 20, if you count the dessert/coffeee cafes.
I'm Matt mutha-effing Bush, bitches, and mutha-eff East County.
"I'm as passionate and knowlegeable as any fan out there." Josey Wales
by Brian Thomas on Apr 22, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions
hey BT
anyhthing i should see in baltimore?
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Apr 22, 2009 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions
hustler club
or the block in general
babe ruth museum isn’t that far away
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
Ask ab03 or bdavison
They lived there.
I liked Ft McHenry. And the aquarium is not bad, although you kind of get your eardrums beaten in by the omnipresent pubescents roaming everywhere. Anapolis is also pretty close by.
If you go during the week, check out Faidley’s in Lexington Market (closed on w/e) for crabcakes. Lexington market is pretty cool all around if you are a seafood fiend like myself I think it is the oldest seafood market on the east coast?). My personal favorite thing to do in all of B is to grab a dozen hard crabs and a frosty pitcher, although if you are going this w/e it is a little early. Everybody in bawlmer has their favorite spot. I like this little dive called Steamers. It’s about 3-4 miles from the yard. And Little Italy, while tiny, is a short walk from I. harbor and camden/ravens. Worth a stroll if the weather is good.
But I’ve just done the touristy stuff. Like I said, ab03 and bdav could point you off the beaten path.
I'm Matt mutha-effing Bush, bitches, and mutha-eff East County.
"I'm as passionate and knowlegeable as any fan out there." Josey Wales
by Brian Thomas on Apr 22, 2009 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions
gracias
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Apr 22, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Baltimore isn't a great place to be a tourist, but a great place to visit
if you’re willing to get out of the inner harbor and actually check out the city.
I lived there for 4 years, never had anything bad happen to me, had an assload of fun. Although a lot of bad stuff happened to people i know…
John Waters is still loyal to Baltimore for a reason, because its got more character than most anywhere else. Toronto, and most other Canada cities, are boring, sterile places.
Oh, and the only game I saw at Camden Yards… Rangers thrashing 30-3 babyyy!
This right here is all you need to know
Duff is the shit
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
http://tinyurl.com/ranger-rage
Jeff has talent
I don’t like cake but I would like to visit his business.
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
http://tinyurl.com/ranger-rage
Toronto = boring, sterile?
More like Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in North America with great arts, culture, dining, and entertainment.
Went to Toronto and Baltimore for games within 2 days of each other this summer
(http://baseballtour08.blogspot.com for details/pictures)
And I can say, without a doubt, Camden Yards is much much much better than that dump they call the Rogers Centre. As far as cities to live in, just driving through, I liked Baltimore better…but I might just be bitter with my Canadian experience (lots of traffic, rained so they closed the roof, they were sold out of programs, we got harrassed going back into the US because they didn’t believe that 3 kids from Texas would “come all the way to Canada for a baseball game”, had crappy upper deck seats, food sucked, etc.)
Going to the game tonight though, so perhaps Toronto/Rogers Centre will redeem itself. I am skeptical.
Future Rangers - Minor League Information
by fightingengineer on Apr 22, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Baltimore is a great place to visit
I have never been to Toronto, but I bet it is really nice, especially in the summer.
But Bawlmer does not suck.
Boo Adam.
I'm Matt mutha-effing Bush, bitches, and mutha-eff East County.
"I'm as passionate and knowlegeable as any fan out there." Josey Wales
by Brian Thomas on Apr 22, 2009 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
Toronto is a VERY nice place to visit
even when it’s snowing.
I was never able to make a game when I was up there, and I understand Adam’s point, but there’s NOTHING wrong with Baltimore as a city. As far as covering one team vs. the other, Toronto’s the obvious choice, though
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Apr 22, 2009 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions
You mean "Body-more"...
…a.k.a. “Murderland USA”?
I have nothing against Baltimore (I’ve never been there) I just enjoy referencing “The Wire” whenever possible.
Will there ever be a rainbow?
by Chad Crudup on Apr 22, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions
Bullpen management
What now? What do we take from this sudden change in bullpen management style? Does it mean that Ron Washington is learning? Is he started to finally put the pieces together?
Or is he panicking under a heap of pressure? Did he go to his go-to-guy in a close game; one that could save his guy. When is job isn’t possibly on the line does he go back?
Or is Mike Maddux getting more say in these decisions? Is Wash turning to Maddux for more guidance. If I remember correctly Wash was brought in with his experience coaching defense and his ability to be a player leader. Maybe he’s starting to see that he may need to go to others for the calls on pitching where he’s got less expertise.
Maybe none of these are true. I just wonder where we go from here.
"It takes a big dog to weigh 1000 pounds"
I don't know if Wash is panicking "under a heap of pressure"
but I do believe he’s managing for his life no matter what Boy Blunder says to the media.
Fairly chicken on both Nolan & JD’s part to come out in support of Washington only after the walk-off win on Sunday.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions
You calling Nolan a chicken?
Have you ever pitched a game in the Show? Are you a HOF?
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
I'm criticizing Nolan's timing of his comment on Wash, you twit.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions
You were calling out Nolan, no backtracking from this one you numskull
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Still no bet JW?
77 wins or less. Cmon you have to get on board. 6-7. They are tracking to be 72-84 after 156 games. The odds are even more in your favor now than they were before.
by Michael Cave on Apr 22, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions
No bet, Cave.
I’m sticking with 73-89 and every day Ron Washington is the manager and JD is the general manager, my prediction looks very solid.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
If your prediction
looks so solid then toe the line. 78 or more wins and you are done here.
by Michael Cave on Apr 22, 2009 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions
No bet, Cave.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions
You know the track record, ghttd36, so yeah
I’m pretty confident.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
exactly!
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Apr 22, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree with KoK and ghtd36
I think you simply like to make all of these outrageous claims like you invented the question mark (anyone get that movie quote?)but when someone calls you out on it you simply wont back it up. Cmon this Thing is going downhill. Half of the team is not ready for the Show.
by Michael Cave on Apr 22, 2009 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe nobody asked them the question until after the game/series?
I don’t think JD and Nolan walk around with a megaphone speaking to anyone who will listen just for the hell of it.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Apr 22, 2009 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Keep telling yourself that, Diggler.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions
lol
classic
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Apr 22, 2009 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions
Touche', salesman.
Clearly your wit and logic are far too amazing for our tiny brains.
Seeking a new signature...
by ghtd36 on Apr 22, 2009 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
btw
where have you been for the past couple of weeks. You seemed absent for the team’s 1-7 stretch. Caught up in a D&D?
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Gdawg, thank you for asking.
I knew the team was going to stumble out of the gate and emotions are very high on the local message boards (jeeeeez, you’re running around this place with high beams and the team is 6-7) so I merely thought I’d let the game come to me and lay low for a while.
This team is going to rock something close to a 73-89 record this year and it’s going to be ugly. Washington is getting fired and I’m not sure JD survives.
You and people like you are going to hate admitting once again that Josey Wales nailed it again.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
again
I still believe you would rather be ‘right’ and the Rangers suck than be ‘wrong’ and the Rangers do well.
You dont have to be a puffed up cynic in order to not be a kool-aid fan
by Royal Swine on Apr 22, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions
Not true, Royal Swine.
Bad baseball sucks and following a team that wins is a lot of fun.
Been there done that on recent predictions with the Rangers and many other things Great Game.
I wanna follow a good team.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions
i do too
but I only want that team to be the Rangers
by Royal Swine on Apr 22, 2009 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Again?
When were the other times?
I'm Matt mutha-effing Bush, bitches, and mutha-eff East County.
"I'm as passionate and knowlegeable as any fan out there." Josey Wales
by Brian Thomas on Apr 22, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions
"You and people like you "
Why the racial remarks? What is wrong with people like me?
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
It's really odd
That everybody wants to ignore Josey, and then when he actually stops posting, they make constant reference to him and try to taunt him into returning.
by brettgardner on Apr 22, 2009 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions
That, BG
is what is known as “presence.”
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions
I believe the correct term
is “King Troll”
by matteo25 on Apr 22, 2009 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Indeed.
They bitch and moan about him and complain that he keeps talking, ignoring the rather obvious solution that is THAT YOU GUYS KEEP ENGAGING HIM IN CONVERSATION!!!
I mean, what’s the purpose of engagin him in an argument?
Do you think you’re going to change his mind?
That he’ll accept some sort of logic?
He’s one of those guys who gets enjoyment out of causing others consternation, so he’s never going to stop trying to get under y’all’s skin.
If talking with him annoys you (and how could it not), then stop talking to him.
I haven’t been annoyed with Josey in months now.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"I guess it’s tough to look good when you play on the same team as Marcus Lemon." -Trip Somers.
"Congratulations, Mr. Somers. You just made THE LIST." -The Newberg, after reading the above comment.
by thedirkatron on Apr 22, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions
Happens in every online community
Some people can’t resist the easy argument. Sometimes it’s fun to hit of a tee, I suppose.
The odd timing is on the media
They could have asked that question anytime, but chose to do so the off-day after the walk-off win.
McCarthy in 17.0 IP
0.34 G:F
Living on the edge…
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on Apr 22, 2009 10:04 AM CDT reply actions
New to the whole Sabermetrics thing..
FIP? Forgive me for my ignorance.
Fielding Independent Pitching
Its how well a pitcher is pitching based on defense-independent stats like Ks and BBs. Each site has their own way of calculating this so The Hardball Times might have a different FIP for a pitcher than Fangraphs.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Thanks
I really need to explore Sabermetrics a lot more because of my math background.
by Michael Cave on Apr 22, 2009 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions
McCarthy
looks better this year, the extra velocity makes a big difference. Still, he left a lot of pitches right in the middle of the zone. When they showed the pitch tracker, he had several right square in the middle, where you generally can’t throw a pitch in The Show and expect it to stay in the field of play. Encouraging, but I’m still a bit hesitant on him.
If you take the worst pitching staff in baseball, then add Kris Benson and Jason Jennings, what do you have???
surprise!!! You have the worst pitching staff in baseball, that's what.
yeah
I think there’s obviously concern for the innings pitched, but if the guy starts going 6 innings every time out and continues to LOOK good, I’m fine with what he does. a 4.50 ERA with 30 starts and 180 innings is right on par for what I expect
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Apr 22, 2009 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Tricer compliments McCarthy!
What’s next?
Zywica stops following dreamy 15 yr old Venezuelan boys around?
Huntress admits he cried at the end of Million Dollar Baby?
Futurepants admits Dallas is a second rate city?
Knockoutking stops ending every sentence with lol?
Gardner lets someone else have the last word?
Cahill asks Catalanotto to autograph his Catalanotto jersey, saying address it to “My good friend Dan”?
Longhorn has free sex with a real live woman?
{ I realize I just set myself up here-fire away }
I'm Matt mutha-effing Bush, bitches, and mutha-eff East County.
"I'm as passionate and knowlegeable as any fan out there." Josey Wales
by Brian Thomas on Apr 22, 2009 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 10 recs
DShep begins posting stick figure drawings only...
That’s when I know the apocalypse is at hand.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
thanks
for the mention
fwiw, i smile a LOT and lol = smile for me so take that as you may
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Apr 22, 2009 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions
...your so clever
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Apr 22, 2009 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions
I meant nothing derogatory by it
I think it is kind of funny b/c sometimes it appears in the most unexpected places.
I'm Matt mutha-effing Bush, bitches, and mutha-eff East County.
"I'm as passionate and knowlegeable as any fan out there." Josey Wales
by Brian Thomas on Apr 23, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions
what happened to yesterday's minor league thread?
If you take the worst pitching staff in baseball, then add Kris Benson and Jason Jennings, what do you have???
surprise!!! You have the worst pitching staff in baseball, that's what.
by tricer on Apr 22, 2009 10:13 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I was just wondering the same thing...
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"I guess it’s tough to look good when you play on the same team as Marcus Lemon." -Trip Somers.
"Congratulations, Mr. Somers. You just made THE LIST." -The Newberg, after reading the above comment.
by thedirkatron on Apr 22, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions
The Newberg
probably gut shot it.
"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris
hey ajm
do you know why here in Houston they quit playing rangers games on the alternate fox channels? it won’t be on tomorrow or Saturday here…
they are showing the Astros games on the regular fssw channel and the alternate fssw channel…
I use to love to hit, I use to take it serious. I only got one at bat a year, maybe...but, I took it serious. I hit 1.000 one year, if i had another at bat, I'd hit 2.000...
I don't know
I will see what I can find out
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 22, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions
k, thx
i was looking through my direcTV guide last night, and it was odd that they where showing the astros games on both the regular and alternate feeds at the SAME TIME … and it’s been consistently like that since the 1st week of the season…
I use to love to hit, I use to take it serious. I only got one at bat a year, maybe...but, I took it serious. I hit 1.000 one year, if i had another at bat, I'd hit 2.000...
that was a damn good thread
Lots of great discussion. Sucks that it disappeared.
I did make a slightly offensive joke towards dirkatron, but it was pretty funny and I’ve seen a lot worse on here. Hope it wasn’t deleted on my account.
If you take the worst pitching staff in baseball, then add Kris Benson and Jason Jennings, what do you have???
surprise!!! You have the worst pitching staff in baseball, that's what.
I thought maybe that too, but definitely seen worse
And if that were the case, you figure just that comment would get deleted.
Ooh, what'd you say???
Was it dirty!?
Did you make fun of my comically small man-junk?
That’s usually a good place to start if you want to burn me.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"I guess it’s tough to look good when you play on the same team as Marcus Lemon." -Trip Somers.
"Congratulations, Mr. Somers. You just made THE LIST." -The Newberg, after reading the above comment.
by thedirkatron on Apr 22, 2009 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions
I mentioned that Bianucci was red hot
and wondered if his hot streak was because he was pissed that you didn’t mention him in your report
…or perhaps he just happened to get hot right after that because he found a skanky slump buster… while you and your sister were in town.
If you take the worst pitching staff in baseball, then add Kris Benson and Jason Jennings, what do you have???
surprise!!! You have the worst pitching staff in baseball, that's what.
Hey-Oh!
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"I guess it’s tough to look good when you play on the same team as Marcus Lemon." -Trip Somers.
"Congratulations, Mr. Somers. You just made THE LIST." -The Newberg, after reading the above comment.
by thedirkatron on Apr 22, 2009 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Not bad!
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"I guess it’s tough to look good when you play on the same team as Marcus Lemon." -Trip Somers.
"Congratulations, Mr. Somers. You just made THE LIST." -The Newberg, after reading the above comment.
by thedirkatron on Apr 22, 2009 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Oh, and as for the real reason he didn't rate in the first report (just on the off chance you were actually curious)...
He didn’t appear in the game until pinch hitting (and making an out) after I’d left following the 12th inning, so it was kind of hard to include a guy I didn’t see, no matter how near and dear he is to you little black heart.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"I guess it’s tough to look good when you play on the same team as Marcus Lemon." -Trip Somers.
"Congratulations, Mr. Somers. You just made THE LIST." -The Newberg, after reading the above comment.
by thedirkatron on Apr 22, 2009 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions
do you ever drop the blog name when you go on these fact finding missions?
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
I do all my emailing...
…from the LSB email address, that also has the url in the sig block.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 22, 2009 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions
I live in the Baltimore/DC area
and I prefer the Charm City over DC. I haven’t been to Toronto so I can’t compare it to that, but Inner Harbor and Fell’s Point in B-more are pretty good times. Oh well, I’ll be there on Saturday night to hopefully observe a Rangers W.
Longtime lurker
inner harbor?
you have just lost all credibility
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
Ah...the pleasantries are gone
Josey is back and he returns as the same miserable prick he was when he left.
Anyone else already tired of seeing a Josey “I’m a giant douche” Wales post
I'm going to take the above advice...
…and just stop replying. Said it before, but now I’m for real. I’m quitting cold turkey.
Seeking a new signature...
Not really.
If people didn’t slobber all over him, his posts would really be of the same quantity and quality as most others here.
By the way, I don’t recall you setting the LSB world on fire in his absence.
by brettgardner on Apr 22, 2009 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Last night was a big win, Gardner.
Some of the fans are feeling their oats and getting chesty.
What some of these people don’t realize is that I’m the biggest Ranger fan out there but I don’t have blind faith in my leaders nor do I buy the bs they give to their local spin doctors.
When this team is really good, I’ll tell you when it’s safe to be optimistic.
This isn’t one of those times.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions
so it's odd
you seem to only show up when the rangers are doing well, only to say that the rangers are going to suck.
either
a) you feel the need to drop everyone down a notch and temper our enthusiasm
and/or
b) you’re a glutton for punishment
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
ab03
I’ve shown up in the past in both bad and good times (whatever good times those were) for the Rangers.
My initial suspicions about this year’s team turned to conviction thru the first couple of weeks so I let that play out.
Now that the Rangers have won a couple of games, some of you have your dignity back and are more emotionally ready to discuss the Great Game without losing your mind.
I still think this thing goes 73-89.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions
You are a douche
you can keep saying 73 wins but until you actually are willing to put something on it people can clearly see you through you and into the fact that you are a giant douche
So I gather you're saying I'm a douche?
You’ll just have to settle for the utility that comes with actually pointing out that Josey Wales was wrong.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
Careful
I’m not sure they make hats big enough to fit that head in…
And maybe it’s just me, but optimism and being a fan of a particular club go hand in hand. The rest of the world provides all the realism I need (and then some) on a daily basis. If I weren’t optimistic that the Rangers are going to get it right eventually, I might as well go pick another team to root for.
"I dont care to debate with a troll." - Sharky
I think there's even a better distinction between realism and pessimism
I’m realistic about benson becoming an all-star. I can be optimistic about how well the ranger are going to do. I can be optimistic about what kind of player andrus will be.
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
Couldn't have said it better...
It’s a forum for fans, which SHOULD allow for optimism. Attempting to “poison the well” when it comes to that optimism serves absolutely no purpose that I can see, except for either self-aggrandizement or pure trollery.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
So you'd rather bounce thru today thinking that
Brandon McCarthy was really good last night when he was pedestrian at best?
You’d rather go into this season thinking that the Rangers are going to win 85+ games (which something like 70% of the LSBers do) than confront the reality that this team isn’t likely to win 75 games according to unbiased sources?
Why do you insist on sticking your head in the sand as it pertains to the local major league team?
I desperately wanna be wrong (watching bad baseball sucks!!) but I’m not going to proclaim this team as a contender until I see actual evidence.
Sorry, I’m just not built that way.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2009 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm only going to reply to put some detail in my short point...
since, as usual, you’ve taken a short blurb and fleshed it out with whatever points you choose to ascribe to me. Simply put, there’s a HUGE gap between the average optimistic fan (me) and the positions you are trying to pin on them(me).
Point by point:
1) BMac was average; based on his last two years, I take that as a posiitve, encouraging sign. If he gives us consistently average starts all season long, and misses no real time, I’m jazzed. So sue me.
2) I’m not an unbiased source; I don’t get any self-worth from being right on here, so any predictions I might make are likely to be colored by my best hopes. Again, so sue me. It’s what MOST fans do.
3) There isn’t any sand in my hair. I simply don’t look for dark linings in every friggin’ thing like you do. Different strokes…
4) I’d give you credit for being pragmatic about this team, but since you even ridicule people who DON’T predict this team as a contender as being blindly loyal, it’s kinda hard to write you off as simply being cautious. Simply put, you shower disdain on anyone who doesn’t rain piss on every Rangers topic. IMO, that’s not why most folks are here; we’re here to enjoy the team, get giddy at glimmers of hope, rant about little failings, and generally commune with like-minded fans. Again, so sue me.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Apr 22, 2009 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
"Rain piss on every Ranger topic..."
Is the lying so pervasive and accepted in here because this place is so populated with lawyers?
I predicted the 2004 Rangers would finish at .500 or above before the season and then 20 games into the season confidently predicted they’d win between 88-92 games (they won 89 games). That seems fairly positive.
I’ve been touting the fact that Hank Blalock is going to have a monster year if he can stay healthy and have been saying so for two years.
I’ve seen the light on Nelson Cruz and now believe in him.
Chris Davis is one of the best young power hitters I’ve seen and I believe he may hit 40 bombs either this year or next.
I came away from my first Josh sighting on ESPN360 and in person in Spring Training 2008 and couldn’t say enough great things about him.
I said that Ian Kinsler was one of the very best young players I’d ever seen and this was at Spring Training 2005.
I wouldn’t shut up after I saw Tex at Spring Training 2003.
I am one of the few Michael Young & CJ Wilson fans left on this board.
How many people in here do you see trumpeting Brandon Boggs aka The Thinking Man’s Player, as much as I do?
I cannot say enough great things about D Holland.
I’ve been saying for awhile that Teagarden is one of the plumbs of the Ranger system.
We can go on and you know it so enough with the blatant lies, bking.
I enjoy the team but I don’t enjoy stupidity or spin doctors who should know better.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
The funny part about this is that you never mention any of this until you're confronted about not being positive
Outside of a post here or there, I can’t say I’ve seen you say that many great things about most of those players. OTOH, you have no problem mentioning the shortcomings of players, coaches, and front office personnel 20 times a day.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Wash on Norm
-Doesn’t think Frankie can go tonight
-Says Padilla is healthy & remorseful he hasn’t provided more
-Holland won’t fill in for Benson if he can’t go(Feldman will)
-Plaudits for Salty’s handling of the pitching staff
"I saw your act, just didn't make it for me. Just a lot of fluff."
Holland will see action tonight
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
http://tinyurl.com/ranger-rage
I'd say it is almost a lock
Provided Matt “Big Baby” Harrison doesn’t go 7 innings.
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
http://tinyurl.com/ranger-rage
Evan Grant
Since Murphy is considered the more likely every day outfielder, going to Oklahoma City might allow him to rediscover his swing; in the meantime, Boggs would play the role in the majors for which he might be best suited.
Who considers Murphy a more likely every day outfielder? They both seem to be platoony fourth outfielder types, but I think Boggs easily has more potential to put it all together and become an everyday player.
"A good start would be not giving up 900 runs again." -Jon Daniels
by Randy Richardson on Apr 22, 2009 11:38 AM CDT reply actions
Really?
I must have missed that last 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.
It was very rarely on offense
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.
re: Who considers Murphy a more likely every day outfielder?
I think Nolan does.
I'm Matt mutha-effing Bush, bitches, and mutha-eff East County.
"I'm as passionate and knowlegeable as any fan out there." Josey Wales
by Brian Thomas on Apr 22, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Pretty much everyone on this blog did, pre-slump.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"I guess it’s tough to look good when you play on the same team as Marcus Lemon." -Trip Somers.
"Congratulations, Mr. Somers. You just made THE LIST." -The Newberg, after reading the above comment.
by thedirkatron on Apr 22, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions
You're right, I'd say more like 50% of the blog did.
And an actual percentage still likened him to Rusty Greer, though they’re in hiding now cause of all the hate directed at their boy right now.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"I guess it’s tough to look good when you play on the same team as Marcus Lemon." -Trip Somers.
"Congratulations, Mr. Somers. You just made THE LIST." -The Newberg, after reading the above comment.
by thedirkatron on Apr 22, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Is the question Murphy versus Boggs?
I’d say Murph is more likely to be an every day outfielder. But neither has ever looked like anything more than a 4th OF to me.
I have to disagree with the Murphy over Boggs part
not the 4th OF part though.
I think Boggs has more defensive value than Murphy in both range and especially arm strength.
Boggs has more offensive value in my mind as well. Both are still maturing into their MLB-selves but Boggs’ switch-hitting and ability on the basepaths are impressive to me.
I want Murphy to do really well simply to increase his trade value as an addition in a deal for a pitcher. Then Boggs can come up and hopefully be a great 4th OF as well as a PH/defensive replacement on a great team. (This last point would require a great manager that knows how to use the PH/defensive replacement correctly) .
Just my 2 cents (if that)
Murphy and Boggs
I actually think they are both pretty good 4th/platoon outfielder-types. I think both might be a little over-extended as regulars.
"Was this really necsarry?" - cowpoke/hurler hurley
I do
Boggs hasn’t shown yet he can hit as well as Murphy can. If I’m forced to play one everyday, Boggs has the defensive edge, but he hasn’t been able to hit righties very well (though it is a small ML sample). Murphy isn’t as good defensively, but has been much better offensively.
Whatever slump Murphy is in now, he’ll bust out of soon enough. I can’t say I’m opposed to sending him down to AAA for a little bit and bringing Boggs up since Byrd and Cruz are too good to bench now and Murphy does need everyday playing time.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
AJM
one of my friends is trying pretty hard to get into law school – isn’t a HUGE Rangers fan but likes them enough. Said he was listening to an interview the other day about “a Dallas lawyer that runs a blog for the Rangers” to which he said, " He must be the coolest guy ever!" and wondered how you have time to take care of both responsibilities…
I told him you have a family, too. It blew his mind. So how DO you get away with all of it?
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Apr 22, 2009 12:13 PM CDT reply actions
I type fast
Really, having the blog doesn’t take up a ton of time. If I wasn’t blogging, I’d probably be on the message boards talking about this stuff anyway.
Although the interview he heard was probably about Jamey, not me.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 22, 2009 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't know how Jamey does all the things he does.
Days are a bit longer than 24 hours for that guy.
by brettgardner on Apr 22, 2009 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions
You don't need much sleep when you run on pure black-hearted hatred like the Newberg.
But in all seriousness I have no idea on that count either.
It’s borderline amazing.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"I guess it’s tough to look good when you play on the same team as Marcus Lemon." -Trip Somers.
"Congratulations, Mr. Somers. You just made THE LIST." -The Newberg, after reading the above comment.
by thedirkatron on Apr 22, 2009 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions
The waitlist for all "Sports Law" related classes is pretty deep.
Every goofus with a business card saying “J.D. Candidate 2011” thinks he’s going to be the next Newberg.
Too bad the truth is we’re all going to be scum-suckers who are contracted out to cover discovery requests for firms Jayme wouldn’t touch with his (massive) member.
Ah well. At least we’ll always have LSB and Newberg emails.
by brettgardner on Apr 22, 2009 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions
nobody should have a business card that says "J.D. Candidate"
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
Josey has a business card that reads
JD replacement Candidate on it. Turn it over and it reads “Nolan I’m coming to help you, don’t give up.”
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
http://tinyurl.com/ranger-rage
they were probably talking about Newberg
and yeah it is crazy how he finds time to do all of this and that. blogging on here isn’t really much. Newberg’s reports do seem time consuming however.
Baltimore
anything to see?
anywere to eat?
didnt realize the rangers were here all weekend and so now im going — gotta do some research (yelp probably) and ive been for work before so i know my way around the inner harbor area…
anyone else on LSB going?
anyway, trying to decide if i want to make the drive fri-sat-sun or stay on sat night (noon game on sun) — and sat is hat night if anyone cares lol
fwiw, gates open 2 hrs before the game
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
OT: CC Sabathia, not good so far buddy...
Already down 3-0 in the 2nd inning. It’s so great seeing that happen to the Yankees.
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
http://tinyurl.com/ranger-rage
Oh I know
It’s just funny to see him and Tex struggggling right now that is all.
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
http://tinyurl.com/ranger-rage
This thread was was interesting
i scroll past a josey wales argument as fast as I can.. to find another josey wales argument. repeat 3 times.
the preceding post was a great success.
Then rinse.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
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