Wednesday a.m. Rangers stuff
by Adam J. Morris on May 27, 2009 9:36 AM CDT
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PrintA 4 game lead in the West. Yay!
Jeff Miller says the Rangers did a better job of converting with runners in scoring position, and also has a quote from Chris Davis, who said that he was pleased with his batting practice session yesterday, because it was the first time in a while he'd been going the other way well.
Jeff Wilson says that the Rangers showed they could score in a variety of ways yesterday.
Gil LeBreton has a column that hits on what a lot of us have been saying about the Ranger offense this year:
Note to all our good friends at the MLB Network and ESPN:Stop it. Stop it with all the talk about how the Texas Rangers "can really pile up the runs." Or how the Rangers’ lineup is "always going to hit."
* * *
The Rangers’ lineup should be better than this. More selective at the plate. Better at recognizing what the pitch is. More willing to work the count.
The Rangers ought to know this. They did it for most of last season.
But this season, they’re suddenly easy to pitch to on way too many nights.
Note to Hank Blalock and Marlon Byrd: There are no door prizes awarded for swinging at first pitches.
Marlon Byrd, of course, swung at a first pitch last night after Joba Chamberlain had walked two batters in a row, and hit a chopper to shortstop that went for a GIDP.
Derek Holland says he's going to add a curveball to his repertoire today, something he hasn't thrown since college.
Tim Cowlishaw has a column about Holland being the current poster child for building from within, and also discusses how starting in the bullpen has helped Holland's transition to the majors.
Jon Daniels says that leading the A.L. West is nice, but championships aren't won in May and the Rangers still have a ways to go to get to their goal.
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JD, I thought the goal was being competitive in 2010?
Has something changed?
Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck now. -- Tenacious D
Yeah, JD's boss said it was about this year
and said we needed to win 87 games.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
You should be glad you didnt bet me on the win total..
Your 73 win prediction is looking pretty piss poor right now too.
by Michael Cave on May 27, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions
The Great Game may have passed him by ..
¡Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!
I came here to split hairs. And you?
by inactive lsb user on May 27, 2009 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions
His brain seems to reject
rational intelligent discussions of the Great Game.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
Touche
¡Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!
I came here to split hairs. And you?
by inactive lsb user on May 27, 2009 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions
Looks like I screwed the pooch with that prediction
and I’m very happy about it. I’m right there with what Vegas & PECOTA (among many others) thought the team was going to do this year.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 27, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions
So at least you'll be dragging all those titans down (Vegas, PECOTA, "many others")
with you, as opposed to the other way around?
What a safe position!
¡Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!
I came here to split hairs. And you?
by inactive lsb user on May 27, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions
You act like your prediction happened to allign with theirs
if I remember correctly, you just copied their predictions, essentially
by BuckyB on May 27, 2009 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Bucky
Throughout the entire off-season and before anybody else’s predictions, I considered last year’s team to be a 76-86 team (their pythag record) and no additions were made to the team (only subtractions). I didn’t consider Elvis to be an addition because I thought he’d be a fucking disaster plus I thought it’d take a while (100 games per Cal Ripken) for MYoung to make the transition to 3B.
They finished the season terribly (19-29) and brought back the same manager (who is a dumbass) which is a giant red flag.
I’m absolutely shocked but very pleasantly pleased with this Ranger team but no, I don’t copy PECOTA, Vegas or anybody else which is exactly why I predicted the 2007 team to win 75 games (they won 75 games) and that the 2004 team would finish above .500.
It looks for all the world like I whiffed in 2009 which is great because watching bad baseball sucks.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 27, 2009 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions
You have wonderful reasoning behind your predictions
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
so i am still somewhat confused then
andrus has outperformed all expectations
cruz has done well
davis has been very good with the glove
hamilton has done below average
kinsler has been below average
so you expect it to all even out and have the same record as you previously thought?
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.
-
Scout to KG: On Sandoval: "Man, that fat [expletive]-er can hit."
by knockoutking on May 27, 2009 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions
knockoutking
I expect my pre-season prediction for this year to be wrong.
I’m not going to make another win loss record prediction within the season because there will be idiots who accuse me of making 10 different predictions within the year, so of course I was going to hit on it.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 27, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions
I'll ignore the substance of your message
and focus on the title…your error is noted; and all travishamockery aside, it’s nice to have you on the bandwagon
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 27, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions
I thought Tom Hicks said shortly after the Teixeira trade that he expected this team to be competetive again in 2009
I only remember this because when I heard the target year had changed to 2010, I was even more depressed
Has something changed?
Yes, the team got more competitive than expected sooner than expected.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
I agree with Gil completely. I am getting to where I really hate to see Hank and Marlon come to bat.
That first pitch DP by Byrd last night could have really been a killer
And it should have
been 3 straight walks. Hamilton struck and only saw 1 strike.
I was a Ranger fan when being a Rangers fan wasn't cool.
Holland....
I like this guy. He believes he can do anything. Pitch out of the bullpen. No problem. Start against the Yankees. No problem. Throw 96 on the outer half. Done that. Add a curveball. He’ll have it ready to go tomorrow.
Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck now. -- Tenacious D
I love me some Dutch
Add to that, “start Game 7 of the World Series. I got this.”
"Elvis Andrus has just performed a miracle." -Eric Nadel
Please add this
A happy tear would roll down my cheek.
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
x
(Wife) "So what do you want to watch on the T.V.? UFC or porn?"
(Husband) "Hmm... well, porn, I guess."
Man that dog you posted yesterday still has me going back for more.
"BIg whoop, wanna fight about it?"
by lost in space on May 27, 2009 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions
he has CD on his fantasy team
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
can you not see it?
or are you just not liking what you see?
(Wife) "So what do you want to watch on the T.V.? UFC or porn?"
(Husband) "Hmm... well, porn, I guess."
they are screwing u on the hotlink
not your fault, its protected somehow
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
Can't see it either
"BIg whoop, wanna fight about it?"
by lost in space on May 27, 2009 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Frankly, if we make it to the World Series
and it goes seven, I’m probably having a simultaneous heart attack and stroke.
it will be hard to keep your eyes open watching the game through that
but i’m sure you can manage
"I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the [MLB] for guys to fall in love with [the Rangers’s] sloppy seconds." (thanks cstorm)
Add a persistent woody lasting all seven games to that list...
and I’m pretty sure a lot of us will have those symptoms.
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
I wonder if he's thrown the curve before...
and how effective it can be if he unveils it tonight?
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 27, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Is the apocalypse near?
Rangers in first
Pitching and defense carrying the offense
Gil Lebreton the voice of reason in baseball analysis
How long till cats and dogs peacefully co-exist?!?!?!?!
"Elvis Andrus has just performed a miracle." -Eric Nadel
Gil Lebreton
He’s been a lot more reasonable than his S-T colleagues have been the last year or two.
by Adam J. Morris on May 27, 2009 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Adam
what specifically have the other ST writers said about the Rangers that has bothered you so much?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
pull up anything from Grandpa Urine
His coloum is and has been for shit for years now no matter what sport he is writing about.
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
I do like Jeff Wilson though
Revo, he has good days then falls off the deep end. But hey he is getting older. Grandpa Urine is just drunk all the time.
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
I saw that guy (Galloway) in person 3 years ago
at the Mavs/Heat finals…he looked like he weighed 85 pounds and was on heroin. Scary. I guess I’d write with that kind of fire if I was that way, too…
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 27, 2009 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions
boomer
Specifics?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 27, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
pick any article
He just mails it in. When he is wrong he is kind of like you in a way he will never admit it. ON his radio show he will never take a call that doesn’t agree with him. His schtick is old.
Didn’t he come out earlier this week spewing about a trade with Millwood last year and JD just flat out called it a lie.
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
Tell me which specific
article other than the Millwood piece where Galloway was wrong.
I don’t think he made it up about Millwood because that has never been his history.
Yeah, JD came out swinging on that piece but Galloway has other sources within the organization.
People in here don’t like Galloway simply because he’s been tough on JD and called him out for being a wrecking ball the first few years to this franchise.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 27, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions
No, I think everyone has been quite clear...
They don’t like Galloway because of many personality-related reasons; there’s a reason the “Grandpa Urine” nickname gained traction.
On a related note, I’m pretty convinced that the day the local newpaper guys started getting radio gigs was the beginning of the end for decent newpaper coverage in this town. Guys like Randy, Reevo, and to a lesser degree Bayless all began to value controversial opinions over research and depth. I started noticing this back when the Football Writer’s Roundtable got started, so it isn’t just a case of me not agreeing with Galloway’s takes on the Rangers.
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 May 27, 2009 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Has nothing to do with him
being tough on JD. Every article he writes sucks, just pick one it doesn’t matter they all suck. If you disagree with him you must be wrong because his pompas ass is never wrong. Only the weak minded get sucked into his work. Ask him how that Hershel Walker trade worked out.
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
yeah.
if he had a 50/50 track record for being right, I’d read a lot more…only time I read it now is for a good laugh
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 27, 2009 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Galloway jokes all the time on his radio show
about being wrong. Has he said so in his columns? Not that I can specifically identify but his nature is to admit when he’s wrong.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 27, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions
Doesn't make better the fact
that he purposefully or ignorantly makes wrongful claims in every article he writes
I wouldn't mind Galloway's negativity so much
But for the fact that it’s all driven by a blinding rage for Hicks, largely stemming from the Doug Melvin firing.
The basis of all Galloway’s Rangers opinions is a (misguided) belief that Doug Melvin was the greatest GM in Rangers history. Thus, Hicks’ firing of Melvin is an unforgivable sin, and everyone who comes after Melvin is a moron incapable of being a good GM.
"Elvis Andrus has just performed a miracle." -Eric Nadel
Galloway
He’s always in a win now mode and judges trades by how much they help the team in the short term. He was against the Hershel Walker trade, for the Adam Eaton trade, and against the Teixeira trade. Not a good track record on trade judgement and his constant carping on JD’s missteps while lacking to acknowledge JD’s successes comes across as mean spirited and overly judgmental.
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on May 27, 2009 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Sounds like JW
Anyone see Josey and Galloway in the same room at the same time?
Your 2009 Snow Monkey Ambassador
That is right
I forgot he was for the Eaton trade then he rips JD for the trade later.
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
I also think that Galloway will be risking credibility
if he’s still negative when the Rangers are playing so well. He was justifiably critical for some of the shit that was going down with this team over the last 10 years and wasn’t afraid to speak his mind.
Somebody needed to say something even if it was negative. Do you think some of the shit that Hicks pulled would fly without comment in Boston, Philly, Chicago or NYC?
Would JD skate in those cities as well? Hell, no and I’m glad Galloway said most of the things he said about the Rangers because almost all of the criticism they have received over the past 10 years has been largely deserved.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 27, 2009 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions
"SOMEBODY" needed to say something????
So, Galloway was the lone voice screaming about the problems?
Really? Really? You’re going with that??
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
Galloway wasn't the lone voice but he was the loudest.
The DMN has sat there with their thumbs up their collective asses for the last 10 years.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 27, 2009 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Huh?
Just because an opinion or viewpoint doesn’t reflect yours in every way doesn’t mean that it isn’t an opinion or viewpoint. The DMN has had plenty of criticism, praise, and good analysis of the team in the past 10 years.
by FuturePants on May 27, 2009 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions
I broke up with a girl for saying "Really" too many times in a row
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 27, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions
As well you should...
For some reason, I found that bit with Seth and Amy on SNL strangely funny, and it’s kinda stuck in my head.
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
I'm way late to this discussion
Josey, did you listen to Galloway yesterday when he was talking about Jamey’s information from Daniels on the Millwood non-trade, etc? Galloway was probably a little stung by the verbiage that Daniels used, but the vitriol he’s developed for Daniels is out of line. As he often does, Galloway made his opinion of Daniels a personal matter and has always tried to insert himself into the story. He says that he gives him credit for the Teixeira trade, but that’s a farce, because he is unwilling to genuinely consider all of the facts when he discusses Daniels’ overall performance. He’s developed a personal dislike for him, generated completely as a result of the fight that he picked with him personally by campaigning for his firing a couple of years ago and basically personally begging Nolan Ryan to do it since Ryan has been here. He’s clearly bitter that his self perceived leverage didn’t result in Daniels’ firing like it did in Hart’s “retirement” and by Daniels’ subsequent success. It is all personal, and that is what makes Galloway such a joke.
To contrast with your personal opinion, which obviously often matches Galloway’s, you don’t seem to care for Daniels, and you have the tendency to want to credit Nolan because you have more faith in him, but as the Rangers have done well, you are able to set your issues with Daniels aside and be happy about it, whatever the cause. Galloway – an unabashed, self proclaimed Rangers fan – is bitter. It’s disgusting to me, and I would think that you would appreciate the contrast there.
by Brett Perryman on May 27, 2009 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Brett
I only hear Galloway when The Hard Line is on commercial so I missed what he had to say on the issue. Did Galloway reassert that he had rock solid sources confirming his thoughts on Millwood being traded last year?
I’m in the minority but I thought Galloway’s criticism of JD the last 3 years was dead-on. JD was part incompetent (the bad trades, the hiring of Wash) with a lot of con man in him as well.
Now that the Rangers are playing good ball, I haven’t really noticed too much negativity from RG but I don’t listen to him all the time.
The whole thing on Millwood blew up (I believe) because Galloway was talking about what a changed pitcher he was and also the come to Jesus meeting he had with Nolan regarding conditioning after the season. My recollection is that the tone of the article was generally positive.
It does seem like JD is poised to strike back at RG now that the team has had a little success because I’ve read a few smarmy comments from him in the first couple months of the season.
JD needs to quit worrying about throwing tomatoes at RG (he’s never going to win that battle because he didn’t have any success until Nolan became his boss) and spend more time figuring out that bullpen and which prospects he’s going to deal.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
The Teixeira and Cordero trades
were before Nolan.
"I saw your act, just didn't make it for me. Just a lot of fluff."
The team also sucked
before Nolan started implementing his own philosophy with the same pitchers who gave up 967 runs.
The Ranger FO dumbassery that was alive and well following the 2007 season (see $ 9 million spent on Fukomori, JJennings and Broussard) also came to a screeching halt on February 6, 2008.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
Yes, it was his pitching philosophy
That took this defense from worst to one of the best. That was all Nolan and his new conditioning program
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
I think that Nolan had a hand in the defensive moves
I also think that Daniels did.
by Brett Perryman on May 27, 2009 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Nolan has helped in many areas of this team
But he and JD have worked together on most things and this franchise is pretty much completely filled with the talent he has worked on acquiring since he came on board in 2005/2006. Josey’s constant blowing of Nolan Ryan while ignoring everything JD has done (which includes putting together this 25 man roster) is ridiculous.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
He did reassert it, sort of
He said, notice that Daniels didn’t deny that a deal was discussed, and he made some sort of comparison to the Danks deal which I didn’t get. I believe him that a) he reported what he was told, and b) it was probably reliable information. But for one, he’s been around enough to know how deals can have legs and look doable or even likely, but that there is a huge difference in that and the deal being agreed to, even pending physcials, etc. Second, I think that Daniels, as Jamey quoted him, did seem to revel in his denial a little extra since it was Galloway, but you know that he is going to deny a “done deal” tag with ferver, if for no other reason, because Millwood is an integral part of this team and is likely to be here for at least another year.
Basically, I don’t really have any problem with the way Galloway reported his information, and I don’t really have any problem with the way Daniels denied it. It was just the spite and bitterness coming from him yesterday when they discussed it that was a real turn-off.
I don’t think that Daniels needs to concern himself with individual media members either. But this is part of what Galloway creates. He carpet bombs a guy through both of his mediums on a daily basis, then walks around the premises looking for a response. From what I’ve heard Galloway say, Daniels generally goes out of his way to ignore him, which I think is the appropriate response, but it bugs the hell out of Galloway. It’s the one thing he doesn’t want.
As far as his criticism of Daniels, it was completely accurate at one time. The problem is, the events changed, and his tune stayed exactly the same. From what I’ve read, in my opinion, that’s been a problem for you at times as well, the reluctance to give proportional credit along with the deserved blame.
by Brett Perryman on May 27, 2009 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Brett
Has RG been negative about JD this season?
For JD to respond like he has, it’s apparent he hasn’t gotten over the past 3 years himself and is very much paying attention to what RG says and writes.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
Umm, yes
Calling him Howdy Doody every time he can think of it – even correcting himself when he forgets and accidentally just calls him Daniels – would qualify for me. And I would estimate that at least five times in the past couple of weeks, while they’ve been in first place, he’s centered the discussion around Daniels’ bad deals. He’s made every effort possible – and I don’t think would deny this – to give all of the credit to Nolan and none to Daniels. To be fair, Nolan deserves a boatload of credit, particularly considering that the ways he generally impacts the team are through philosophies rather than moment to moment decisions. But anyone who is completely unwilling to give Daniels a lot of credit for the personnel that is here discredits himself.
by Brett Perryman on May 27, 2009 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Also
I meant to mention just as an aside, Galloway really want after Jamey. That was another unnecessary ugliness. Whatever Galloway thinks about Jamey’s involvement in the game presentation and the effect on his objectivity, he knows good and well that Jamey’s information is viable. It was a very immature response.
by Brett Perryman on May 27, 2009 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions
What did he say about Jamey?
Jamey is wondering this on his site. I’m curious too
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Brian, his sidekick, quoted Jamey’s comments about Millwood and his comparison of Danks’ and McCarthy’s ERAs. Galloway didn’t speak in full sentences as I recall (I was getting pretty mad just listening), but his point was, why should anyone listen to that guy, he’s a Rangers employee. He said something like ‘he has his thing that he does and that’s great’ but then tried to discredit it. I’m sure someone has it and can get the audio for Jamey. As far as the pitchers, he hemmed and hawed, and his only argument was after some stalling was, “yeah but which one is actually better? I thought so.” And Danks is better. But it was just that he was in dismiss anything that deals with Jon Daniels or Jamey mode that made it pathetic to me. He sounded like a 13 year old throwing a fit.
by Brett Perryman on May 27, 2009 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Obama did promise change...
"Just take the ball and throw it where you want to. Throw strikes. Home plate don't move." - Satchel Paige
"Josh Hamilton doesn't act like he is Josh Hamilton. He acts like a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy named Josh Hamilton." - Jason Parks
never if it's my dog
he hates cats almost as much as he hates racoons
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 27, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions
I love how ESPN
gives the rangers prime placement when we are playing the Yankees… So much East Coast Bias its sick!
Whining
Look at a map. More people live on the East Coast than any other place. Baseball has deeper roots there and has the oldest teams, generally.
No wonder it sucks.
¡Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!
I came here to split hairs. And you?
by inactive lsb user on May 27, 2009 7:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Hot damn Nelson Cruz
Up to .296 / .352 / .580 on the year with 9 steals in 10 attempts.
Also providing the best RF defense in baseball, according to this.
At this point, he is a top 10 player in the AL, worth 2 wins already.
"He's old school in that he give up his groin like that. It hurt me when he do that" -- Worsh on Chris Davis' stretch at first base to end the game vs. the Angels on 5/16
I think hitting clean-up very much agrees with Cruz.
I’m still not sold on his defense because of some of the crazy routes I’ve seen him take but hopefully that improves with experience.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 27, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
I've noticed that too, but it's still better than Carlos Lee
That guy chases down a ball like Bambi on ice.
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
Careful, bking
I was called a racist last week for daring to be critical of the routes Cruz takes to some flyballs.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 27, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
That race dart HAS been thrown around pretty casually here lately...
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
"you're being racist"
Dave: You guys are, like, the most hated group in America.
Jemaine: What about black people?
Dave: Yeah, they hate you too.
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 27, 2009 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions
How dare you
As a Caucasian male, I am highly offended.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
I love the word honky,
I’ll never know its origin, but greatness none the less
"BIg whoop, wanna fight about it?"
by lost in space on May 27, 2009 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions
honky
I think had to do with white guys who would go to black neighborhoods in 30’s & 40’s looking for women to date.
They’d drive by their house and honk their horns for the women to come out.
Not sure if this is true or not.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
I found a couple of possibilities
interesting.
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/756/whats-the-origin-of-honky
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Wrong again
It came from constant disdain for Ron Washington and references to his being dumb or unable to speak well. Cruz was a smudge of cake icing on top of that. And I retracted, specifically using “My Bad”. Somehow you take a slant on anything that is near incomprehensible.
On topic, trust the numbers on Cruz. No matter who has what kind of 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 May 27, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions
Ron Washington is a dumbass and he doesn't speak well, Ed.
It has nothing to do with the color of his skin and everything to do with what I see on the field and listen to when Washington is on tv or radio. He kills the bleeping language every time he opens his mouth. Baseball Prospectus said one of his biggest problems going into this year came in how he handled the bully which is a trait that falls under the umbrella of intelligence.
I didn’t think it was coincidental that the Rangers were one of the dumbest teams in the league the last two years (errors committed, walks allowed, baserunning blunders) and I thought it was because this team was a reflection of their manager. I need to see several more positive, well thought out moves from Ron Washington before I back off in my criticisms of him but rest assured, those criticisms have nothing to do with the color of his skin.
I have come correct on Nelson Cruz. I didn’t like him at first because he was 26 years old and had a .261 obp and he wasn’t able to break into the starting line-up of the shitty 2007 team. It had nothing to do with the color of his skin. Players with those kind of obp’s at that age, usually don’t make it. Cruz now looks to be the exception and is one of the most feared hitters in the AL. I’m ecstatic for him because our team is better.
Elvis Andrus – My criticisms of him came almost solely because of his age and the fact that he had yet to conquer AA ball as a hitter. Going into this season he was also a polarizing player in terms of trying to figure out how well he was going to play in The Show. Andrus has been much better than I thought he would be and I’m ecstatic because the team is better. Once again, my earlier criticisms of him had nothing to do with the color of his skin.
Joe Morgan is black. I disagree with him when speaks on television about the importance of stats but those disagreements have nothing to do with the color of his skin. He is probably the best player I’ve ever seen before steroids combining both intelligence and physical ability. It wasn’t coincidental that all those winning teams followed him.
Playing the race card on me was complete bullshit, Ed.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 27, 2009 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions
Morgan, RHenderson, and early Bonds
Masters of the game.
"I saw your act, just didn't make it for me. Just a lot of fluff."
I was wrong and said so
But appreciate the in depth rebuttal. You know, I disagreed much more with your criteria than anything else. It gave me an evidently wrong impression. And FWIW, my fandom for Nelson Cruz is from observation of his physical skills – a very different case but using the same grounds I used in 2001 about Mike Young. Seeing what he “could” do tends to breed enthusiasm. That’s all I’ve 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 May 27, 2009 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions
wait
Joe Morgan is black? He’s got such a white name though! This disappoints me because I thought only white people could be that dumb.
Every scouting report on him
has always said he is great defensively. The stats back that up to a great degree this season. He’s made mistakes this season, but no one is perfect.
As for tricer’s original comment, Cruz is proving why it just isn’t worth it to trade him. No one is going to value him in a trade like he is playing. Its so much better just to keep him around, get the great defense, get the great power bat, and enjoy the cheap years you have of him before he hits FA.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
i generally think for a guy like cruz or davis
you’re not going to get the correct defensive value in a trade.
which was why i was shocked that sabean was openly opining for a cain/davis trade
"I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the [MLB] for guys to fall in love with [the Rangers’s] sloppy seconds." (thanks cstorm)
sabean opining for a cain/davis trade
I didn’t see that. Can you post a link?
Very interesting idea.
"He's old school in that he give up his groin like that. It hurt me when he do that" -- Worsh on Chris Davis' stretch at first base to end the game vs. the Angels on 5/16
It was covered in the GDT yesterday
here is the “link”
Listening to KNBR 680am radio, the SF Giants flagship radio station and THE Sports Talk Radio (their self description):
Brian Sabean, Giants GM described the type of player the Giants would trade Cain for in a one for one deal— “young, power hitting, good glove first baseman who needs to learn patience”- Talk Show host said it sounded like Chris Davis of Rangers to which Sabean said “no comment”
"I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the [MLB] for guys to fall in love with [the Rangers’s] sloppy seconds." (thanks cstorm)
thanks
I usually don’t check the GDT.
Would you pull the trigger on that deal?
Cain’s contract is very team friendly BTW:
09:$2.65M, 10:$4.25M, 11:$6.25M club option
"He's old school in that he give up his groin like that. It hurt me when he do that" -- Worsh on Chris Davis' stretch at first base to end the game vs. the Angels on 5/16
He's also a fly ball pitcher
although that may not be an issue anymore. RBIA isn’t exactly sending the balls out of the yard this year.
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on May 27, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions
Straight up Davis for Cain
I’d pull the trigger.
The deal is straight up and I’m not tossing in any young pitchers.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 27, 2009 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions
i would
but Firebat and others seem pretty adamant about not doing it.
"I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the [MLB] for guys to fall in love with [the Rangers’s] sloppy seconds." (thanks cstorm)
say it is carlos pena
you still do it?
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.
-
Scout to KG: On Sandoval: "Man, that fat [expletive]-er can hit."
by knockoutking on May 27, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions
with defense slightly worse than davis is 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.
-
Scout to KG: On Sandoval: "Man, that fat [expletive]-er can hit."
by knockoutking on May 27, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions
I watch CD
and see Adam Dunn. Maybe he can get his ceiling up to Juan Gon numbers though.
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on May 27, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions
adam dunn
with this defense is pretty damn good
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.
-
Scout to KG: On Sandoval: "Man, that fat [expletive]-er can hit."
by knockoutking on May 27, 2009 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions
Think so? He has terible vision and I'm not sure if that can be fixed
long term. Maybe so, but trust I’m still pulling for him as long as he’s wearing a Rangers uniform.
"BIg whoop, wanna fight about it?"
by lost in space on May 27, 2009 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions
I generally think pitch recognition and plate discipline can be taught. When discussing a player’s ceiling you have to assume they fix their problems and that’s what I did. I wouldn’t put good odds on CD to get Dunn’s level though.
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on May 27, 2009 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions
Adam Dunn has a career .383 obp
Chris Davis is no Adam Dunn.
"He's old school in that he give up his groin like that. It hurt me when he do that" -- Worsh on Chris Davis' stretch at first base to end the game vs. the Angels on 5/16
again we're talking about ceiling here
Davis is a young guy and you got to think he’ll improve over the years.
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on May 27, 2009 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Offensively
I see Rob Deer right now.
Defensively he is good.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
In a heartbeat
And that has nothing to do w/ CD’s struggles. All about Cain.
"I saw your act, just didn't make it for me. Just a lot of fluff."
tapping the brakes on Cain a bit
article on fangraphs saying that his stuff has actually regressed some this year.
"He's old school in that he give up his groin like that. It hurt me when he do that" -- Worsh on Chris Davis' stretch at first base to end the game vs. the Angels on 5/16
Interesting
I still gotta do it. A young pitcher w/out giving up any of our farmhand arms, and Smoak on the way.
"I saw your act, just didn't make it for me. Just a lot of fluff."
well hell
I just posted on NMLR a long ass post about why I don’t want Cain for Davis. I could have just linked that article
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
link it now then?
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.
-
Scout to KG: On Sandoval: "Man, that fat [expletive]-er can hit."
by knockoutking on May 27, 2009 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions
LOL, yeah, I added it in there
I just like being economical with my posts.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
I probably wouldn't right now.
I don’t think it makes sense for this team to put up with another stopgap 1B while we do the youngster movement at other positions. Although 1B defense isn’t as critical as other positions, I’d rather have my younger players maturing at the same time so the team can enjoy the most collective peak years possible.
That said, Cain’s FB% isn’t that scary to me.
there would be no stopgap
you would probably just play smoak
"I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the [MLB] for guys to fall in love with [the Rangers’s] sloppy seconds." (thanks cstorm)
No thanks.
I like Smoak, and I’m sure he’ll be great for the team, but I think he needs to cook for in the minors until September.
meh
i think smoak would do fine, although i am interested in these defensive shortcoming i keep hearing about. even if it is a developmental thing, seems sort of odd.
"I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the [MLB] for guys to fall in love with [the Rangers’s] sloppy seconds." (thanks cstorm)
when you have ozzie smith at SS, Omar has defensive shortcomings
its all relative.
Tex won multiple GG’s and he’s half the 1b defensively CD is. I never thought a 1b could do those things before that guy, and im being honest.
I still totally love the kid, he’s an east texas kid, he hits it a mile, plays 1b like a god, i just really wish we hadnt rushed him last season. I dont like that he barely spent a 1/2 a season in AA and a month in AAA. I think we rushed him, i think his history showed he needed to continue to reduce his K rate and learn the philosophy of hitting a little better at each level. If i had my way on his dev, he’d be coming up right about now, let him spend more than a month in AAA, have him spend the 1st couple months in AAA and then make the call.
I understand that they needed to figure out what they had in the kid b4 smoak showed up but i dont think spending a little over half a season above A ball for a guy who had the K rate he had, is a good plan for the long term dev of a guy.
but if he can never hit above 250 he still has a place in the league going forward, whether i agree with the dev schedule or not.
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
carlos pena comp
pena: .251 BA, .357 obp, .502 slg
chris davis (last 2 years): .258 BA, ..308 OBP 521 slg
say he bumps it up to about a .320-.330 OBP
i like it
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.
-
Scout to KG: On Sandoval: "Man, that fat [expletive]-er can hit."
by knockoutking on May 27, 2009 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions
I think Blalock/Jones 1B/DH
would be similar offensive production until Smoak is ready. And then you have Cain.
"I saw your act, just didn't make it for me. Just a lot of fluff."
It isn't the offensive production I'm worried about.
If you do the trade and use a stopgap, I think it should be Jones. UZR’s lack of predictive ability aside, Blalock was a hack at first last year.
Being in the race this year
makes your point very valid. Otherwise, I think it’s a no-brainer.
I still do it, as realistically, we’re still probably not there yet in terms of winning it all. A future of Cain, Holland, and Feliz makes me think happy thoughts.
"I saw your act, just didn't make it for me. Just a lot of fluff."
UZR hated his range
Which I don’t think is that much of a problem going forward. His range at 1B isn’t going to worse than it was at 3B like he was playing like last year. Jones at DH and Blalock at 1B if you don’t want to bring Smoak up. There is no way I feel fine letting Jones handle 1B when you have Young on the other side still getting used to a new position and Andrus still a bit prone to trying to make plays where he should just hold onto the ball (if we didn’t have a 1B that could grab any throw near him).
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Wow! I hadn't heard about that.
OT1H, yeah, that’s a pretty solid deal for the Rangers. OTOH, maybe keeping Davis now allows you to use him closer to ASB or in the offseason for an even better young guy.
At the very least, it gives JD something he can shop around as he’s feeling out the market.
Do I do this deal? Probably not. I’m more inclined to move Blalock and a young OF with some hitting potential than Davis. IOW, I’d rather deal Blalock and one of Murphy/Boggs/Golson for Cain. I’d even throw a low-level guy into that package, like Moreland or Carlos Pimentel.
I probably would’ve done it in the offseason. I just don’t get a good feeling about Cain’s potential given his stagnant performance, which is good but not great. There aren’t any major changes in his peripheral numbers to suggest a leap forward in development may soon occur. Davis has excuse-me-swing HR power. That is an incredibly useful talent to keep around.
Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck now. -- Tenacious D
Blalock and a young OF for Cain
I think we’d all rather do that deal, but it’s not reasonable.
"He's old school in that he give up his groin like that. It hurt me when he do that" -- Worsh on Chris Davis' stretch at first base to end the game vs. the Angels on 5/16
Yeah.
In the past, I thought Blalock+Cruz would be a good offer in a deal for Cain. Now, I can’t decide if I would be comfortable with dealing Cruz rather than Davis in a straight-up swap for Cain. It’s not that I think both are All-Stars, but I’m just not that sold on Cain anymore. I just don’t see him slotting into the top spot in our rotation. He would be a #2 at best and possibly a #3 guy, and he doesn’t have any signs that he might notch his game up another level anytime soon.
Cruz for Cain straight up or Davis for Cain straight up… I don’t think I do either.
Maybe I would do Cain and Merkin Valdez or Henry Sosa for Davis, but that still hinges on whether I think Cain is better than anything else that may potentially be on the market this ASB and offseason. I would prefer Cliff Lee to Cain, for example.
If I quietly shopped the idea of Davis for Cliff Lee to Shapiro, or Davis as part of a package for Danks or Josh Johnson, and the other team didn’t hang up the phone, I think I would hold off on the Giants deal.
Brewer’s might have a 1B to offer for Cain. Maybe Drayton Moore should offer up Billy Butler. In fact, I don’t know why a KC-SF deal hasn’t been done, other than perhaps SF doesn’t care for Butler’s upside.
Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck now. -- Tenacious D
My pants just started dancing
I like Cain. Will he be ABLE to pitch in Arlington? (see what I did there, very clever)
Your 2009 Snow Monkey Ambassador
2 points for creativity, -3 points for having to explain it
"BIg whoop, wanna fight about it?"
by lost in space on May 27, 2009 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions
how much control of Cruz do we have?
if he does this – hit’s around .300/.350/.550, produces runs, steals bases, hits homers, plays above average defense, for another year – what COULD we expect in a trade??? seems like a top 10 outfielder at this point, when everything is taken into account?
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 27, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions
I've never understood
the rush to trade Cruz.
Is there some surplus of OFs I don’t know about?
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
Then why the hell would you ever trade him?
This team has sucked so much lately that a bunch of people here (not you specifically), are still all about trading for pitching, or prospects. Look, this team is HERE, now.
The only thing the Rangers should be doing right now is identifying core components going forward, and strengthening areas of weakness.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
The only major league players
I can see trading are players who won’t be with the club next year, and you can replace internally.
Guys like Andruw Jones, Hank Blalock, Jason Jennings, Omar Vizquel, Vicente Padilla, etc. Even then, there’d have to be a pretty decent return.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
Marlon
you left off marlon
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
I knew I'd forget someone
that’s why I threw the etc. on.
I also left of Benson and Eddie, but thats because they have no trade value that I can tell.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
Yeah can u imagine being JD calling around shopping Hank Joe and Benson as a package?
heh
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
I don't want to trade him.
I am simply wondering what his value would be in a trade. I am content with an outfield of Cruz, Hamilton and Borbon with Boggs and Golson backing them up for 5 more years…
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 27, 2009 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions
The nature of what he needs to improve
makes it hard to predict an ETA. I think that he shares some similar tools and traits with Carlos Gonzalez, though his discipline issue is even more pronounced. Gonzalez was 20 years old when he had a huge season in the Cal League (21 HR, .300/.355/.562) in 2006. He has played in the majors but struggled and is currently in AAA three seasons later. This spring he is showing much improved control of the strike zone, and that may be his ticket to a permanent job later this season.
Beltre is not going to have a season like that, and he’s a year younger and much less polished. I think that a 2012 ETA for being a major league regular would be very optimistic. But it just depends on when and whether his game matures. If he were to have some sort of epiphany, who knows.
by Brett Perryman on May 27, 2009 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions
he's pretty amazing
sooooooo glad nobody picked him up when he was on waivers last year
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 27, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions
I was pretty upset at the loss Monday...
however the win yesterday made me feel much better. I was worried about a sweep
by death of the cool on May 27, 2009 9:51 AM CDT reply actions
yes
considering we’ve been a part of 4 sweeps in a row…although winners of 3 of them
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 27, 2009 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions
Has to be more...
We’ve been swept by Detroit in Detroit twice.
LOL Sorry the Sooners will score more that 14. - boomer1
not part of that stretch
we swept Mariners and Angels back to back, were swept by Detroit and then swept Astros
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 27, 2009 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Very nice
I could get used to this beating the Yankees thing. If the Rangers can play like this consistently how good can they be?
i can't get my day started until i hear from Rodney
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
lol, done.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
over
He goes right after the hitters.
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
I can't wait to see what this "weakness" is that he's allegedly discovered
"Elvis Andrus has just performed a miracle." -Eric Nadel
his slider
he’s going to toss in the curve a few times to set that out pitch up…he’s got a SICK slider when he’s hitting the corners with his fastball…made Berkman look like a fool
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 27, 2009 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Berkman
struck out on his change.
"Hustle doesn't cost a dime and it looks good." - Pete Rose as Channeled by Marcus Lemon
even better
he had a pretty ugly swing on the slider didn’t he? or was that Pence?
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 27, 2009 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Pence got blown away by a fastball
I don’t think dutch got too many swinging strikes on his slider.
"Hustle doesn't cost a dime and it looks good." - Pete Rose as Channeled by Marcus Lemon
then I am completely mistaken.
unless it was Matsui or Quintero??
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 27, 2009 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Adam
Could we get those beautiful standings posted?
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
I don't disagree with networks harping on the Rangers run scoring threat
Obviously it’d be nicer if they paid a little more attention to the team, noticing that they are where they are due to pitching and defense. But the Rangers are structured like an offense-only club – almost all of their “name” players are bats. Their recent history (heck, all of their history) suggests many runs scored, many runs allowed.
When you follow one team exclusively, you catch subtle shifts in style and skills. When you follow 30 teams, it takes a little longer. Since the Rangers have an all-or-none offense that puts 10 runs on people every so often, that gets noticed more than their weak 3 hit, 13Ks (4 by Davis), one puny run efforts that they throw up equally as often. But guys who just scan 15 different box scores are going to pay more attention to the 10 run outbursts. Give it some time for the reality to set in.
PhD
Its not hard at all to see that pitching and defense have led this team
It takes all of 5 seconds to see where they rank in runs scored and the various offensive stats. Just look at the recent stretch of games they’ve played. I don’t see why you are making excuses for poor reporting and analysis.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Perception is different than analysis
And frankly, I don’t think they are all that wrong in their perception. This team, as constructed, should be a far better offensive team than a pitching team. Just because for the first quarter of the season they’ve had better than expected pitching and inconsistent hitting doesn’t mean that it has to continue this way.
We’re kind of in a weird time right now when there have been almost enough games to stop screaming “sample size!!!” at every statistic, but it isn’t clear yet when that point has been reached. But it is somewhat hypocritical for everyone to get angry when national analysts rely on long-term trends and yet get angry when people criticize Chris Davis for starting off slow.
PhD
You're giving them way too much credit
They aren’t working under the assumption that these guys will rebound nor are they saying that the offense will be the reason for success. They’ve been saying that the offense has led this team to 1st place like they always have when this team, up to this current point, has been nothing like any of the Rangers team we’ve seen in recent years
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
White Sox love
We need to give the White Sox some love this morning for kicking the Halos ass twice now. It’s great to see how we beat the White Sox and how the Halos are having problems with them.
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
I am a big Ozzie supporter right now
"Elvis Andrus has just performed a miracle." -Eric Nadel
First Place Mother Effin' Texas Rangers!!!
:D
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
by Rodney on May 27, 2009 10:00 AM CDT reply actions 17 recs
There it is!!
She say she are the manager.
by rockin_rangers on May 27, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
.309 / .382 / .527 / .909
Yanks against lefties…
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
That should read
“.309/.382/.527/.909 against lefties not named Derek Holland.”
"Elvis Andrus has just performed a miracle." -Eric Nadel
I truly hope so.
Damn Holland is getting in/has been in some rough situations thus far.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
shaken, not broken
the guy’s solid. he’s bounced back. did you see the look on his face after the Berkman HR? He had that look like, “ok – I got it, lesson learned”
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 27, 2009 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions
The Byrd
GIDP elicited such a loud swear word from me that it woke my wife up. She wasn’t real happy with that…
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
"you're fuckin out" (Kenny Powers)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on May 27, 2009 10:03 AM CDT reply actions
Byrd...
I was just about to post the same thing. I can’t stand to watch Byrd at the plate right now.
Joba is laboring, he’s thrown a ton of pitches already. Then, to start the inning, he throws 7 pitches to K Josh, then 6-7 more to walk Cruz, Murph walks (on 4 pitches) and Byrd comes up hacking at the first pitch he sees and GIDPs killing any semblance of a rally.
Not only is it extremely annoying, it is bad, dumb, dumb, dumb baseball.
If Wash is in the habit of giving guys days off to “clear their heads”, he needs to give Byrd about a week off. I know Byrd has had some big hits lately, but F Marlon Byrd!
Not against that patient line-up.
I’m curious to see how the bully is played w/ a lead.
Related- They need to be patient w/ Burnett, he likes to walk people.
"I saw your act, just didn't make it for me. Just a lot of fluff."
When is it Okay
to talk shit about Hamilton?
He’s he off limits?
Hammy .250/.300/491, 6HR, 21BI, 120PA
Salty .252/.303/.415, 5HR, 20BI, 132PA
The difference in slugging is attributed to one triple and one home run difference.
Hamilton is slugging .496 since the all-star game last year. He’s 6th out of the 7 starters remaining from last year; ahead of only MY.
I have to say his season so far has been far more disappointing that anyone else.
Certainly now isn't the time.
Josh Hamilton
Last 7 days .300/.333/.600 .933 OPS
Last 28 days .262/.327/.667 .993 OPS
A lot of his bad numbers are from his pre DL appearances. His OBP could certainly be higher, but when you have the boat anchors of Davis and others on this offense, Hamilton really isn’t worth mentioning.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
I get chastised all the time for quoting small sample.
For a guy who’s supposed to be your best player, with talk of a long term deal and 8 figure salary, he sure hasn’t performed up to it in a very long time.
He’s been DL’d 4 times in 2 1/2 seasons!
I guess my question is answered.
Talking shit about Hamilton is still off limits.
by Evil Monkey on May 27, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions
I just think
as targets go, he isn’t close to a big problem.
The injury concern is legitimite, and its one of the reasons it didn’t bother me that they didn’t sign him to a long term contract last offseason. I’m fairly happy to go year to year with him through his years of control.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
the answer is
come up with better numbers
"I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the [MLB] for guys to fall in love with [the Rangers’s] sloppy seconds." (thanks cstorm)
One of his "injuries"
was gastroenteritis, not exactly something I’m worried about hurting him in the future.
And the reason talking shit about Hamilton right now is “off limits” is because he’s hitting great right now. You’re about a month too late in bitching about Hamilton playing poorly.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
and i'm pretty sure people were bitching about his play when he was playing badly
swinging first pitch strike, etc.
he’s still doing it, but he’s also making contact a lot more
"I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the [MLB] for guys to fall in love with [the Rangers’s] sloppy seconds." (thanks cstorm)
a month too late?
im still not sure im happy at all with what Hambone has been doin all season. his plate discipline is a lot worse than it was a season ago.
he’s been hurt, and was coming out of it right before he did, but take away the angels home series and i bet his numbers are blalockian
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
Since May 12
He has a .262/.327/.667 line. He’s got a little over a 10% walk rate in that time. That’s more than he walked last year or with the Reds. He’s still not showing as much discipline as you’d like by not swinging at every first pitch, but he’s at least taking walks now. And if he keeps hitting like he has, that .233 BABIP he’s had over this time will go up and and that BA/OBP will go up by at least 30 points.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
but take away the angels home series and i bet his numbers are blalockian
sampson simpson! i stick by me story!
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
Since the Angels series
He’s hitting .286/.318/.571 in 22 PAs. B-R doesn’t let you just exclude a series of games so if you want to look at his May numbers minus the Angels, add in a .182/.400/.727 line he had in 15 PAs against the Mariners. Still looks like
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Cahill the optimist
I love it
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 27, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions
I just go with what the numbers tell me.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
and they need to be pointed out
I haven’t seen the spike in stats watching the games because I’ve been quite distracted lately…
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 27, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions
So when can we expect you to go buy that brand new Mike Young jersey as an expression of your love and admiration for that solid defensive third baseman with the beastly .932 OPS?
When he becomes
a solid defensive third baseman, that might be an option.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
"solid defensive third baseman"
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=3b&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=0&season=2009&month=0
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
I’m not really surprised. He’s made some plays that tell me he’s going to be okay as soon as he learns the position completely. Don’t think that because his ratings on a defensive metric are bad right now that he’s never going to improve. Heck, as bad as the new defensive stats hated him at SS, they still showed improvement over the years.
I fully expect
to see a gradual movement towards average for him over the next season and a half or so.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Movement in that direction
but probably never getting there.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
and I also
don’t expect him to hit this well all year, or for the rest of his contract.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Yeah, I think his OPS dropping
is as inevitable as other players OPS rising.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
It's think it's OK by now...
He’s clearly not dialed in, and I consider him the ring-leader of the “swing at the first pitch club”
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
They already have him for seven years now.
Go Rangers...don't suck...
by Kinslerhomer on May 27, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions
manipulating it so hes not a super 2 IIRC
a la rays + longoria
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.
-
Scout to KG: On Sandoval: "Man, that fat [expletive]-er can hit."
by knockoutking on May 27, 2009 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions
No...
The Rays/Longoria thing was all about the extra year of control before FA. Longoria was only in the minors for a couple weeks last year, similar to what people (including me) were speculating would happen to Elvis this year. Longoria had nothing to do with Super 2 status.
Now Weiters on the other hand is hard to figure. If he’s ready, he shoulda been up a month ago, especially with the O’s running Zaun out there everyday. Not sure what they are doing with Weiters bc Super 2 status is a lot harder to project.
a lot harder to project?
are you sure? seems like everybody had it pegged for around this time
"I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the [MLB] for guys to fall in love with [the Rangers’s] sloppy seconds." (thanks cstorm)
There is no definitive floor on it thats why
You have to have over a certain amount of days but even then you aren’t guaranteed anything. I don’t know the numbers off the top of my head and can’t pull up the CBA right now.
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.
well what is interesting is that most people had it at Jun 1
i’m guessing the orioles did some internal calculations and figured they could call him up now.
which makes sense that they would want to debut him for the homestand if at all possible.
"I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the [MLB] for guys to fall in love with [the Rangers’s] sloppy seconds." (thanks cstorm)
Yeah...
Super 2 is all about service time. You can guesstimate the cutoff point, but young players get called up and sent down a lot. It is a lat harder to project than the 12 day cutoff point for the extra year of FA. Harder, but not impossible to project with some degree of accuracy.
hmmm
somewhere i read it would keep him from being a super 2 i thought guess i was wrong
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.
-
Scout to KG: On Sandoval: "Man, that fat [expletive]-er can hit."
by knockoutking on May 27, 2009 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Here is your game, right here:
Inherited runners-scored: Coke 2-2, Jennings 2-0, Wilson 2-0.
Thank you Rangers BP.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
I loved that TAG and Josh made this point last night
the Yanks spend superstar money on everyone but their bullpen and bench.
(Wife) "So what do you want to watch on the T.V.? UFC or porn?"
(Husband) "Hmm... well, porn, I guess."
But the Rangers announcers aren't allowed to talk about other teams' pitching...
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
see CJ just needed some Coke and he wwas gonna be fine
ive been saying this for weeks
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
Who is the most likely minor lg hitter
to give the Rangers a spark this year? Smoak? MaxRam? No one?
Borbon probably.
Go Rangers...don't suck...
by Kinslerhomer on May 27, 2009 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Do you really think
that he would give them that much of an offensive spark? I am with several ppl on this board in believing that our offense should be more worrisome than our pitching due to the fact that our defense seems to be the main reason for pitching improvement
by Michael Cave on May 27, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
plus he's got OBP issues, right?
isn’t Boggs a good OBP guy? I’d say Boggs or Smoak…
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 27, 2009 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions
yes he does...
Id love to see Boggs get an extended look in the majors. I think right now the Rangers have two solid OFers in Hamilton and Cruz. Now it is just a matter time to see who wins the last position permanently in 2010 amongst Boggs, Murphy, Golson, and Borbon.
by Michael Cave on May 27, 2009 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Barring injury
I don’t think any minor league hitter comes up before Sept. 1.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
You mean released. You couldn't trade Blalock for a dip of snuff.
I was a Ranger fan when being a Rangers fan wasn't cool.
I'd trade a can of Copenhagen
for Blalock to be on my softball team
by texasraider on May 27, 2009 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions
I played Softball a helluva lot like Blalock
Couldn’t field for crap
Pulled everything.
Made a bunch of HRs.
Had a crappy average.
I think Blalock would be an excellent beer league softball player.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
blalock
probably a better fielder than MY at third
"I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the [MLB] for guys to fall in love with [the Rangers’s] sloppy seconds." (thanks cstorm)
That's damning
with faint praise.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
I was actually trying to give him praise, too
what i mean is that blalock might have been below average but he isn’t the absolute worst.
"I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the [MLB] for guys to fall in love with [the Rangers’s] sloppy seconds." (thanks cstorm)
MY shoulda made that damn play at 3rd last night
COME ON DORN!!!!
GET BEHIND THE DAMN BALL, None of the OLEY BULLSHIT!!!!!
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
what are you reading?
"I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the [MLB] for guys to fall in love with [the Rangers’s] sloppy seconds." (thanks cstorm)
ah
misread your post.
yeah he was bad. still better than young, he is currently worse
"I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the [MLB] for guys to fall in love with [the Rangers’s] sloppy seconds." (thanks cstorm)
No doubt.
At this point, I hope that Mikey’s still adjusting to the position. He definitely has the reaction time and arm for third.
yeah
i think it is an adjustment thing. Note, in 2006, Arod was the worst 3B in the league (below Blalock). By 2008 he was just a tad below average
"I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the [MLB] for guys to fall in love with [the Rangers’s] sloppy seconds." (thanks cstorm)
Doesn't he have to
hit in the minors first?
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
Why does anyone throw CDavis an off speed pitch?
He can’t touch a fastball.
I was a Ranger fan when being a Rangers fan wasn't cool.
I think he can catch up to the FB just fine....
It seems to me that his problem is that the offspeed stuff has gotten into his head big time. He can’t lay off it, and it’s got him late on the FB too.
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
Yeah...
I think this is correct. The offspeed stuff has him thinking too much, and thus he is late on the fastball. I don’t think its a batspeed issue. I think its more about pitch recognition and not wanting to continue to look foolish flailing away at curves/sliders in the dirt or a foot outside.
I wonder if that has to do with the heavier bat he is now using.
Maybe the heavy bat got his timing back on off speed pitches but messed it up on the fastballs?
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on May 27, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions
he wasnt hitting FB's before the heavy bat either
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
probably isn't going to help him on the fastballs
"I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the [MLB] for guys to fall in love with [the Rangers’s] sloppy seconds." (thanks cstorm)