Thursday a.m. Rangers things
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 28, 2010 9:02 AM CST
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PrintEvan Grant has a story up today about Tom Hicks' tenure, saying that while Hicks wasn't a great owner, he doesn't deserve to be vilified to the extent he has been of late.
T.R. Sullivan writes that 4 Rangers prospects made the MLB.com Top 50 Prospect List. I'm betting you can guess who those four are. Tampa Bay and, surprisingly, Kansas City also had 4 guys in the top 50.
And Ray Buck writes about yesterday's memorial service for Bobby Bragan.
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This is a question i was debating with my friend the other day
Would you take Feliz or Strasburg? Everything has to considered. Money, service time, etc.
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
that's a tough one.
I’d have to see them both after starting 30+ games before I could make that judgement. Feliz seemed to have a precipitous drop on his fastball towards the end of last year. I’m hoping that was just a blip. Obviously if Strasburg can keep hitting the high 90’s after 30 starts and if Feliz is in the low 90s (like he was at the end of last year) then Strasburg, but like I said, the jury is still out imo.
I did not ask you if you have herpes. I said is that a hairpiece?!?
Strasburg
I like Feliz and am very glad we have him, but raw tools Strasburg is better. Hes already got the secondary pitches to go with his high end fastball. Theres a pretty reasonable chance that either late this year or next year he is going to be in the MLB and being the front of the rotation horse.
What do voluntary mean?
He's also going to cost...
…at least $15 million more than Feliz during the time he’s under team control — likely more than that.
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 28, 2010 9:45 AM CST up reply actions
See this is exactly
where my friend and i disagreed. He said Strasburg because we both agreed that the possibility of him flaming out as a starter is fairly slim. In a vacuum we both ageed Strasburg however when money is considered I picked Feliz while he still stuck to Strasburg. One thing i didnt know is when each of them his free agency.
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
by Michael Cave on Jan 28, 2010 9:51 AM CST up reply actions
Free agency
Both of them basically have 6 full seasons
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 28, 2010 9:55 AM CST up reply actions
Okay..
thanks, i thought it was equal but didnt know the length.
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
by Michael Cave on Jan 28, 2010 9:59 AM CST up reply actions
I've had a serious crush on Feliz ever since I met him at the Awards Banquet Last Year
But I don’t think it’s too easy to take money into consideration in a sport with no salary cap and it’s not our money. I would like to think that we could afford right now (at least once the new ownership group is in place) to pay Feliz Strasburg-type money and still have plenty left over to add to the team….what am I talking about…..? Feliz just had that look of a badass when I talked to him.
hit*
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
by Michael Cave on Jan 28, 2010 9:52 AM CST up reply actions
I might take Feliz
based on mechanics and likelihood of injury
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
Feliz vs. Strasburg
I can only imagine what Feliz would be able to do in a college situation like Strasburg was in while he was 18-21 years old. In the end I think I’d take Feliz based on his ease of delivery, level of competition faced, and the movement on his fastball. His command has been improving along with his secondary stuff.
Both, though, are still young and have time to get even better.
Freude, schoener Goetterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische dein Heiligtum.
Let's see, do you want the NL or AL starting pitcher of the 2011 All Star game?
For the return on investment, I’d take Feliz.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
that was a great play by Hunter and Salty (the pic)
at a crucial moment.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
YES
This will be fun…
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Jan 28, 2010 9:19 AM CST reply actions
The best and worst of Hicks
The last couple of years Hicks seemed to be willing to let his baseball people stick to the build from within plan, to his credit. Too late by a couple years, but still, he deserves credit for seeing the light and sticking with the plan.
But wishful thinking last summer about being able to maintain control of the team led to Hicks not being completely upfront with Ryan and Daniels about the money situation. In that, Hicks put his own personal desires ahead of the team’s needs and perhaps crippled them in a year when they were in contention.
With full knowledge of the team’s financial mess, perhaps the front office maneuvers differently in the months leading up to the draft and trade deadline. Perhaps the team is able to afford Cliff Lee’s salary and trumps Philly’s offer. Perhaps they address the punchless Davis-Blalock duo and get a 1B to help the offense. Perhaps they draft someone else who doesn’t want as much money. Who knows?
By comparing Hicks’ reign to previous owners Grant isn’t setting the bar too high. Hicks is not a mustache-stroking villain in a black hat, but defending him is pretty difficult.
Freude, schoener Goetterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische dein Heiligtum.
here's my "the best of Hicks"
….
I did not ask you if you have herpes. I said is that a hairpiece?!?
Hicks did a bang up job
…with the the Dallas Stars. With that team he took a franchise with a storied head coach / GM and let him (Bob Gainey) run the club. He provided the funds to allow the Stars to buy up the free agent veterans that were needed to ultimately win it all. He then kept that team near the top of the league in payroll (until the lockout it seemed) and they had about a decade of relative success.
Hicks seemed to try same with the Rangers early on, and failed to realize he wasn’t in the same position.
by RyanBlueThunder on Jan 28, 2010 9:49 AM CST up reply actions
Actually
I have read that he overode his hockey people and brought in Brett Hull against their advice. When that worked out and they won they cup he decided to do the same in baseball and went and got Afraud and started spending like a drunken Obama with about the same results. Anyway I guess my point is that he interfered in Hockey too.
Of course, it has been several years since I read that and maybe I just dreamed it. Also, I hate hockey and so there’s that
Not sure if I recall that
…since Hull was the most sought after free agent. It could have been true, though, since Ken Hitchcock was such a defensive coach and Hull was seen as a one-dimensional player. But at the time, I was more pleased with Hicks’ willingness to pay for the grissly vets like Verbeek, Keane and Hogue (in addition to the big name signings like Hull, Belfour, Gueirin). Perhaps you’re thinking of Hicks more recently bringing in Hull to act as “co-general manager” after he let go of Armstrong…I can recall that move raising more than a few eyebrows.
It just seemed to me that early on, Hicks attempted to apply the same strategy that provided his success with the Stars to the Rangers (take over club that is ‘almost there’…spend big money on free agents…pray for success) but he grossly overestimated his borrowing power and financially couldn’t make it.
by RyanBlueThunder on Jan 28, 2010 11:42 AM CST up reply actions
x
I agree with Grant that Hicks does not deserve to be completely made to look like the evil villian that many are saying, but there is a lot to dislike about the guy. Hick’s inability to deal with reality, or at the very least, unwillingness to be upfront absolutely crippled the 2009 season and draft. There is plenty to hate about Hicks’ moves in 2009 alone that makes him worthy of ridicule.
That said, he has done some good work; refer to Newberg’s lengthy paragraphs about drafting, international free agents, etc. All very good things.
Yep, being willing to go overslot
and spend big money on the draft and international free agents is a big plus, one many fans underrate.
Freude, schoener Goetterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische dein Heiligtum.
x
@Ken_Rosenthal #Rangers, #Rockies, #Mariners, #Reds among possibilities for free-agent IF Melvin Mora. Rangers “fringe” interest. Could add bench player.
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
I'd rather have Garko.
But then again, I think we all would…
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Jan 28, 2010 10:15 AM CST up reply actions
I'd rather have almost anybody
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
Delgado
Supposedly still not healthy, based on people who were watching him in winter ball.
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 28, 2010 10:35 AM CST up reply actions
That's too bad
but it must be why the Mets are going after Tatis instead of Delgado.
Hicks is the type of guy who should move to the country and eat a lot of peaches.
The world is just better off if he disengages from it.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
if I had my little way
I’d eat peaches every day.
Grieve: The Yanks have struggled so far. - Lewin: Yeah, cry me a bag of money.
ElectricOkra.com
Were they put there in by a man
in a factory downtown?
Grieve: The Yanks have struggled so far. - Lewin: Yeah, cry me a bag of money.
ElectricOkra.com
EG’s column today confirms everything
I ever had to say about the DMN being in bed with Tom Hicks over the years. Sherrington was on The Ticket yesterday singing the praises of Hicks.
Evan, if you are going to perform acts of great admiration on Tom Hicks, would you please do so behind closed doors and not on the front page of the sports section? The column you wrote today may put you in good stead with Hicks going forward but you also traded in a ton of credibility with the fans.
One of the reasons I’m a fan of EG is because he feels a responsibility to be interactive with the fans and he will face the music. The music is going to be justifiably loud today.
To say "Tom Hicks doesn’t deserve our scorn" and "It’s simply unwarranted" is an insult to the intelligence of baseball fans in North Texas. That is something I would expect to read from a known back pocket boy like TR Sullivan (the ultimate DFW dinosaur staggering around in need of a tar pit) and not a respected beat reporter/columnist (or whatever you are these days) such as yourself.
Tom Hicks was a terrible, terrible owner and the ultimate confluence of arrogance and incompetence. He was amongst the worst in all of sports and it wasn’t coincidental that the attendance of the Rangers fell off by nearly a million fans since 1999 (600,000 since 2005). The fans are justifiably singing "Ding Dong, The Witch Is Dead" and spitting on his ownership grave.
To snap at the fans that we’re in the wrong (my gawd, you are defending Tom Hicks and you’re actually serious!!!) means you have gone to the dark side with TR and lost touch with what it is really like to be a fan.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
by Josey Wales on Jan 28, 2010 9:52 AM CST up reply actions 6 recs
So you also
are not willing to have anything more than a 2-dimensional view of Hicks, and think that Grant is “losing credibility” by simply having this viewpoint. Ok.
Freude, schoener Goetterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische dein Heiligtum.
no, I actually do agree that he did do some things right..
but in the final analysis he was a shitty owner. When the masses turn on you at such a high ratio there is usually a reason for it.
I did not ask you if you have herpes. I said is that a hairpiece?!?
One of
my great frustrations with This Thing is that Hicks’ behavior would not have been tolerated in NYC, Chicago, Philly or Boston. We’re the number 4 or 5 media center in the country but the owner of the team ran it over the last 6 years like we were the KC Royals -AND THE DMN SAT THERE LIKE A POTTED PLANT!!
Hicks operated the team like he did with tacit approval from the largest newspaper in the area and what he did wouldn’t have flown in a city with a tougher and more sophisticated media.
I think EG knows his stuff about the Great Game but he was either intimidated by the Hicks Empire or was told by his superiors to be very nice. The column he offered today has a very bad smell to it and is an insult.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
by Josey Wales on Jan 28, 2010 10:04 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Does media approval really matter?
Being in the NY market doesn’t seem to have done shit for the Mets as far as getting their ownership to stop running them into the ground.
So if I understand you correctly...
….it is your position that Tom Hicks has absolutely zero redeeming qualities as an owner during his tenure? Literally, that he did no good things?
Not defending Hicks at all
but he was the one who brough Nolan Ryan on board was he not? He did bring Jon Daniels on board as well. No matter who you believe really has more power between those two, that duo is working. Hicks is the one that brought both of them aboard and paired them together.
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
by Michael Cave on Jan 28, 2010 10:02 AM CST up reply actions
I still believe
he got lucky with J.D. He brought J.D. on because of how cheap he could be had and he could move Hart to a role where he could basically be the G.M. without having the actual title.
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Jan 28, 2010 10:04 AM CST up reply actions
Probably true
but the hiring was made so whether lucky or not Hicks has to get credit. He also has to get a lot of blame for not eliminating John Hart’s role altogether which I believe led to a few questionable transactions.
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
by Michael Cave on Jan 28, 2010 10:16 AM CST up reply actions
I think Hicks did a lot of things right.
I think that’s Grant’s position as well. We all know Hicks sucked, but does he deserve this almost caricature-like image that he has been portrayed as for the past, say 8 months? No.
Josey seems to indicate that Hicks did absolutely nothing right, which is laughable it’s so stupid.
by FuturePants on Jan 28, 2010 10:04 AM CST up reply actions
I still don't understand
why no one mentions that the real embarassing thing about the ARod contract was that we bid against ourselves and ended up offering somewhere around 50 million more than anyone else.
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Jan 28, 2010 10:06 AM CST up reply actions
How about paying $ 9 million to the MF Yankees for 4 years
so ARod could play for them while we rocked a bottom 10 payroll?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
by Josey Wales on Jan 28, 2010 10:09 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
No, dumbass
I didn’t say Hicks did nothing right.
I said so at the time (and LSB groaned) that hiring Nolan Ryan was the best thing he ever did and there were some other good moves as well but the bad far outweighed any good that he did.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
by Josey Wales on Jan 28, 2010 10:07 AM CST up reply actions
Who groaned
when the Rangers hired Nolan? While I agree with what you are saying today, I don’t remember hardly anyone not liking that move.
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Jan 28, 2010 10:08 AM CST up reply actions
*
ASL – This place was out of control when Nolan was hired and if I had to guess, I’d say 85% of the posters in here were against the move.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
by Josey Wales on Jan 28, 2010 10:10 AM CST up reply actions
I must have missed those debates
My apologies. I remember I was excited about it.
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Jan 28, 2010 10:11 AM CST up reply actions
Don't let Josey fool you.
It’s not as if everyone was against it and Josey was some sort of lone voice in favor. It was a lot of mixed feelings from everyone.
by FuturePants on Jan 28, 2010 10:13 AM CST up reply actions
Believe me
I know it was nothing like that.
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Jan 28, 2010 10:14 AM CST up reply actions
x
I think it was kind of on par when Nolan said he was “eliminating” pitch counts. We all just didn’t know what to really expect, and two years ago, given that things looked like they were beginning to turn a corner, people didn’t want some complete change in direction sink the ship again, as it had done so many times during the Hicks era.
by FuturePants on Jan 28, 2010 10:16 AM CST up reply actions
There was a huge debate....
….about whether JD and Ryan would seriously clash over responsibilities and whether it would be an unproductive power struggle. I was definitely one who was nervous about the hiring.
by FuturePants on Jan 28, 2010 10:10 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah i dont think
anyone really groaned over hiring Nolan Ryan. I think some people were questioning how it would work. Well it has and Hicks is the one that brought those two together. I do agree that Hicks has probably done more bad than good but you have to at least concede that this franchise is passing from his hands with a very bright future. Whomever you give credit to for it being like that it still is the case and Hicks was the owner during this time. He was also the owner who green lighted a few terrible signings and the hiring of John Hart (im not a big John Hart fan).
At this moment in time im much happier having Greenberg and his boys owning the team.
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
by Michael Cave on Jan 28, 2010 10:14 AM CST up reply actions
I guess my question would be who you would compare Tom Hicks to
Is he at the status of an Al Davis? Perot Jr.? Kevin McClatchy (pirates)? Clay Ford? (lions)
You have to put it into perspective with all other sports owners? I dont honestly where I feel he fits. I cant stand him but that is mainly because of how he has handled the team as of late and the fact that he leveraged my team to get a European soccer team (while i enjoy soccer) but only for the money. I dont think he did a good job at all during his tenure but he did take the team farther than it ever had been. I’m SO glad he is gone but I sure dont wish ill will upon him. Hope he never steps foot in the ballpark again but thats mearly bc i want to win!!
Elvis has "shook up" Arlington!!
Agree
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
I'm a Raider fan
and have a difficult time justifying anything about ADavis these days but the Raiders went to a Super Bowl 7 years ago and the organization boasts three championships during his reign. I don’t doubt that Davis is still trying to still win championships (just going about it the wrong way) but I don’t think Hicks gave a damn about the fans or winning after 2003.
Comparing him to McClatchey is wrong because our market dwarfs the market in Pittsburgh.
Perot Jr. was very similar. He didn’t give a shit and was only in it for the money but his reign of error was very small.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
by Josey Wales on Jan 28, 2010 10:42 AM CST up reply actions
Angelos?
Seems like he’s worse.
"You promised me, Eckstein, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I noticed that during the most trying periods of my life, there have only been one set of prints in the sand. Why, when I have needed you most, have you not been there for me?" David Eckstein replied, "Because my little legs had gotten tired, and you were carrying me." And I looked down and saw that I was still carrying David Eckstein.
Then he grounded out weakly to second.
Comparing Angelos to Hicks
is like comparing John Gacy to Jeffrey Dahmer.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
by Josey Wales on Jan 28, 2010 10:50 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Heh. You kind of sound like Adam there.
"grilled cheese punches like a bitch" -Gdawg
"i feel like k-rod after a save." -by reagan on Jan 23, 2010, that glorious day Hicks was out of our lives.
Angelos
I have a friend who’s a diehard O’s fan, and he told me that Angelos, in his opinion, was worse than Hicks.
Not to defend Hicks (because I’m not) but the Rangers have never won less than 70 games during his tenure. The O’s have done so FIVE times under Angelos, and they’ve had the resources, fan base, and unlike the Rangers, a team that’s actually won something on a few occasions.
"To have the judgment and wisdom and personal touch of Nolan Ryan, and the tremendous group that JD has assembled, I think the Rangers on the baseball side are the envy of every franchise in baseball in terms of talent."
-- Chuck Greenberg
I would probably despise Perot Jr. if I was a Mavericks fan, but his tenure in sports ownership was a bit unique
He bought the team as a short-term asset needed for real estate development reasons.
Perot is a great developer and never intended to be a sports owner except for the minimum amount of time needed to make AAC/Victory Park happen.
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
Basically it
I really didn’t like him as an owner but I’m glad he’s gone.
The thing I keep thinking about was how he tried to extend the broadcasting agreement that they just entered so he could use that money to pay down his current debt which would have meant the Rangers would paupers in a few years. That would have sucked.
"You promised me, Eckstein, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I noticed that during the most trying periods of my life, there have only been one set of prints in the sand. Why, when I have needed you most, have you not been there for me?" David Eckstein replied, "Because my little legs had gotten tired, and you were carrying me." And I looked down and saw that I was still carrying David Eckstein.
Then he grounded out weakly to second.
Exactly...
Tom Hicks was selling our future only so he could retain ownership (meaning we were going to continue having a sub $ 60 million payroll for several years) but our scorn for him is “unwarranted” ?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
by Josey Wales on Jan 28, 2010 10:49 AM CST up reply actions
I didn't know that...now that's REALLY shitty on top of everything else.
This is like the Tiger Woods scandal, every day you find out something new that he did that’s repulsive and makes you like him even less if that’s possible.
I did not ask you if you have herpes. I said is that a hairpiece?!?
Perspective
Hicks was not and is not Charlie Effing Finley! If you want a bad owner example, look him up.
In vino, veritas
Charlie O.
built a dynasty (possibly one of the best teams in the last 50 years of MLB) and won 3 World Series.
No, Hicks was not and is not Charlie Effing Finley.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
I grew up in K C.
His middle name rhymes with sucking.
In vino, veritas
a board*
wow my typing sucks todat
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
by Michael Cave on Jan 28, 2010 10:06 AM CST up reply actions
Well said josey.
I’m still curious what debts that hicks had saddled the franchise were tranferred along to new ownership.
Now he sits at the head of Liverpool and is saying the same things that blindsided Nolan n JD and has done the exact same thing regarding leveraging the club with debt. Tell me Evan, if your a scouser why do you believe what hicks says. Would you want him to own your team, since you left him in a positive light?
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
by Jayslick on Jan 28, 2010 10:16 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
What Tom Hicks ultimately wanted was a team
that had a bottom 10 payroll and would rock just enough wins (85ish) to pull in 2.5 million+ fans a year and that way he could make a very nice profit ($ 25 million in 2005 after paying himself and spare sons) and be seen as “trying to win.”
The Smoking Gun is 2004.
That team somehow won 89 games and had a wonderful core of young players with a ton of financial flexibility given how low our payroll was and that we played in a relatively new ballpark in one of the largest markets in the country.
The Window of Opportunity was wide open and the strategy of Tom Hicks was to further slash player expenses while raising ticket and parking prices.
He can stamp his feet and say he had some grand scheme but his immediate actions after the 2004 season scream differently.
Good riddance to one of the worst owners in professional sports.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
by Josey Wales on Jan 28, 2010 10:26 AM CST up reply actions
The raising ticket/parking prices
while slashing payroll is what pissed me off the most over the last decade. When The Ballpark opened the lower HR porch tickets cost $8 and the Rangers were WINNING. In the mid 2000’s you now paid 20 something bucks to sit in the lower HR porch and watch a joke of a team.
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Jan 28, 2010 10:31 AM CST up reply actions
Hicks had to service debt.
I think the new ownership will prove to be very unleveraged. That’s why they got Bob and Ray on board: Capital.
Did you see my question and answer it regarding Nolan's payroll expectation of middle of the pack payroll.
Are you happy with that expectation?
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Geez...
This reply is so far from the original post it makes no sense.
Ahh… I see there is a (moderately on-topic) Josey clusterfuck in between.
I like your topic better
I LOVE Georgia girls. The accent, the beauty, the Southern refinement and charm, it’s unstoppable.
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
Haha, maybe you and I are attracted to different segments of the Southern belle populace
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
Admittedly, I have no idea who that is
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
I didn't either...
I googled georgia peach and went through the results until I found this chick with the appropriate combination of southern hotness and trashiness.
Southern Belle drawling to old drunk in front of Catholic church Sunday morning...
excuse me Sir, is Maaaasss out?
Old drunk’s reply: No but your hat’s on crooked.
Who gives a shit what Josey says.............................
by Lil' Jonny Donuts on Jan 28, 2010 12:05 PM CST up reply actions
Nice
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
Speaking of Georgia girls
15 miles to the love shack!
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Yes, EG, yes he does.
He absolutely deserves to be vilified.
Gracchus (about Obama): I think he knows what America is. America is the mob. Conjure money for them and they'll be distracted. Take away their freedom and still they'll roar. The beating heart of America is not the paper of the Constitution, it's the power of the media. He'll bring them debt - and they will love him for it.
As owners go
Hicks is around a C. He isn’t an F like some folks make him out to be.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
I'd probably agree with that
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
OT: web design
I’m making a site for somebody.
They want – primarily – a blog, but then separate sections for a message board, a mailing list subscription function, a photo section, and a link to their ticket seller.
Any recommendations for building a blog with separate sections?
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Jan 28, 2010 10:09 AM CST reply actions
None
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Jan 28, 2010 10:10 AM CST up reply actions
Try wordpress
Free, plus they have many add-ons that are freeware, or you can add/download a third party freeware template.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"When you have a weapon on your shoulder like he has, you can be cool." RW on Perez
And the little bastard threw it for a swinging strike three in a 3-2 count. He’s blessed. And ballsy.
I dont understand EG's argument
that just because Hicks has left this team in a better place than at the time of any other ownership change makes Hicks immune from scrutiny/blame/scorn/villification/whatever you want to call it.
Agree
there is a historical comparison here that I will avoid because it is admittedly a touchy subject.
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Jan 28, 2010 10:13 AM CST up reply actions
?
Grant is not saying that Hicks is immune from scruitiny. Nobody is saying that.
by FuturePants on Jan 28, 2010 10:14 AM CST up reply actions
Grant says "Tom Hicks does not deserve your scorn"
so are we supposed to be thankful he owned the team?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
by Josey Wales on Jan 28, 2010 10:16 AM CST up reply actions
In Josey's world, yes.
Freude, schoener Goetterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische dein Heiligtum.
It didn't take much.
Did you see the bad news bears the Rangers play in the 70s and 80s?
I did not ask you if you have herpes. I said is that a hairpiece?!?
The way I understand EG's position, he doesn't believe Hicks should be immune, he's just opposed to unlimited vilification of Hicks
I can’t disagree. Hicks did quite a few bad things as owner and his overleveraging and running short of cash was a terrible thing to do with the club on the cusp of contention this past summer.
However, he’s being viewed right now along the lines of Jeff Loria or Donald Sterling or Peter Angelos, having wrecked the franchise and done almost nothing positive for it.
He’s a bad owner, but he’s not in the pantheon of all-time worst owners, as he’s being portrayed.
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
Yep
That’s how I read that as well.
And I think that a lot of people- perhaps because they’re not old enough or haven’t been around long enough- are forgetting Hicks’ predecessors. Bob Short, Eddie Chiles, and Brad Corbett were all pretty terrible owners as well, and the one group that didn’t suck, the Bush/Rose group, seemed to be in it to turn a quick profit and get out.
Hicks was a bad owner, and I’m glad he’s gone, but he did do some good things while here, and I think that’s what Evan was trying to say.
"To have the judgment and wisdom and personal touch of Nolan Ryan, and the tremendous group that JD has assembled, I think the Rangers on the baseball side are the envy of every franchise in baseball in terms of talent."
-- Chuck Greenberg
Yup, I'm too young too remember Short, Chiles, and Corbett firsthand but I know enough Rangers history to realize that Hicks isn't as bad as short-term memories would have you believe
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
Yep
I believe it was Short who ruined David Clyde by having him debut in the majors so he could draw a big crowd. As bad as Hicks is he didnt mandate that they start Feliz or Holland in the majors.
Thats why I object to the one of the worst sport owners ever tag. He wasnt perfect but he is not one of the all time worst. If he was he would probably have hired Matt Millen instead of JD
Hicks was a bad owner that became a good one and after his conversion had to pay for his previous sins.
A simple storyline (reminiscent of Stranger than Fiction, except the fans get the happy ending instead of the main character) and cosmic Irony at its best.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Regarding the CAIRO projected standings referenced in the Frank Francisco post
Hi all, I saw the comments regarding the projected standings I ran a couple of days ago in the Francisco post and just wanted to clarify a few things.
a) Like I said in the post, it’s early and there’s still a lot of roster churn to come. I am still working out the depth charts and playing time assignments and they could change significantly. These shouldn’t be taken all that seriously.
b) The Rangers have some guys that could be significant difference makers who are being conservatively projected. For example, Rich Harden. I only projected him for 95 innings in these simulations. For every additional 40 innings he could pitch, it’s probably worth another win. Colby Lewis is another guy who could be pretty good, depending on how much of his Japanese performance he can bring back with him.
c) Nelson Cruz and Ian Kinsler’s defensive projections in the simulation were both wrong. They should be about 15 runs better in total than they were projected for, so chop 15 runs off that runs allowed total (about a 1.5 win improvement). Re-running the simulations after that moved the Rangers to 81-81, ahead of the Angels, and to around a 30% chance at the division.
c) Projection systems are based on algorithms that are inherently limited. For example,I don’t like my projection for Derek Holland at all, I think it’s too pessimistic, but I can’t really change it if I want to maintain objectivity. He’s precisely the type of player that has a very good chance of exceeding his projections, and it isn’t all that hard to see him being 1-2 wins better than projected overall, so now you’re more like an 83 win team.
d) When you re-play the season 100s or 1000s of times, the results regress towards the mean. When they actually play 2010 once, that’s not going to happen. So figure the average win total as the mid-point, then add a range of 10 wins in either direction based on how things we can’t project with any degree of confidence play out.
In addition, the difference between an 83 win team and an 87 win team over a full season isn’t all that big. Just because the Mariners won the division most frequently with an average win total of 87.2 wins does NOT mean the AL West winner will only win 87 games. The average win total to take the West was around 91 wins.
e) CAIRO whiffed badly on the Rangers in 2009, and will whiff badly on several teams in 2010. That’s just the way this stuff works. While I’m generally happy with the way it works in the aggregate, it always misses some teams, badly. Hell, look at the Cleveland 2009 projection. I also wouldn’t get too hung up on what one specific projection says. Every projection system has nuances and biases that could skew the results. That’s why I generally run these with five or six different projection systems once the rosters are more stable, I think it tells us more.
f) As far as why CAIRO thinks the Rangers will allow more runs in 2010, it’s primarily losing 200 innings of Kevin Millwood, who outperformed his peripherals significantly but saved real runs on the field (about 55 above replacement level by my math). If Millwood were still on the Rangers he’d project to give back 30 runs of that value by himself, and his replacements project similarly. It also looks like their defense projects a touch worse than last year, because of losing Omar Vizquel and Marlon Byrd.
g) You all know a lot more than me about the Rangers, so if you think they’re going to be better than this they probably are. I’m just a mostly objective guy who finds the way MLB projects in the upcoming season interesting, even though I know it won’t play out the way it looks like it will on paper.
by SGinATL on Jan 28, 2010 10:22 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Thanks for checking in SG.
How do you see Vlad this year?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
by Josey Wales on Jan 28, 2010 10:28 AM CST up reply actions
CAIRO likes Vlad quite a bit
I’ve got him projected at around ..300/.364/.495, ,548 PAs and 22 HRs. He gets a boost by moving from Angel Stadium to Arlington. He’d project around .296/.357/.482 with 20 HRs in LA of A..
Awesome.
Do Chris Davis & Salty rebound or is it 2009 redux?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
by Josey Wales on Jan 28, 2010 10:37 AM CST up reply actions
Yep
Looks like CAIRO’s expecting Davis to go from .238/.284/.442 and 16 runs below a replacement level 1B to .248/.311/.475 and 6 runs above, so that’s a two win upgrade by itself. With Salty, it’s not quite as much of a rebound, but he goes from .226/.278/.354 and 2 runs below a replacement level C to .247/.326/.408 and 12 runs above, so that’s another win or win and a half.
OBP was our biggest problem last year and unless you have exceptional pitching, your
team better rock an OBP of at least .340 if you hope to make it to post-season.
Has our OBP been repaired enough for us to win 95 games?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
by Josey Wales on Jan 28, 2010 10:46 AM CST up reply actions
You have two options to fix this problem:
1) Find replacements for most the lineup
or
2) Expect improvement from your young players.
Ok, maybe you say the problem can be fixed by replacing the two of the weakest spots in the lineup….well….
I think you are right to focus on Crush and Salty. With Salty, though, there was not an upgrade on the market. I think you gotta roll him out and expect improvement. There may have been some FA improvement possibilities at 1b, but no one that would have locked down that position for 5 years. I don’t think you can impair the development of Crush/Smoak. Between the two of those guys, there’s got to be an improved level of production at 1b, right? I mean, it can’t get much worse than it was last year….
by ncrangerfan on Jan 28, 2010 10:55 AM CST up reply actions
On average
The team’s collective line was .272/.341/429 and they averaged around 806 runs scored. They won at least 90 games 8% of the time and won 95+ 4% of the time. That .341 team OBP would’ve ranked fifth in the 2009 AL.
Good to see the OBP that high
I don’t think there is some magical target number, but that would be a nice improvement over ’09.
And, of course, great news regarding Vlad, Salty, and CD.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"When you have a weapon on your shoulder like he has, you can be cool." RW on Perez
And the little bastard threw it for a swinging strike three in a 3-2 count. He’s blessed. And ballsy.
Hicks ownership is like
a bad relationship. Sure, it’s possible that people figure out what they did wrong in the relationship that led them to it ending, and it’s even possible that that helps them in future relationships.
Still doesn’t mean you can’t scorn the b**** for running up your credit card debt and sleeping with the neighbor.
So true
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Jan 28, 2010 10:24 AM CST up reply actions
Hicks'
worst problem was that he suffered from George W. Bush syndrome—he was a TERRIBLE communicator. Any positive Hicks move was always spoiled the minute he opened his mouth. Mr. Hicks’ tactless manner of speech which was devoid of any personality rubbed almost everyone the wrong way.
I’m not saying the “gift of gab” could have saved him from public scorn after crippling this franchise to invest in European soccer, but, the way he communicated made him an unlikable figure from day 1.
Totally agree, Hicks not being able to get out of his own way made perception of him much worse
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
Haha, fair enough
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
BMFF
It appears’ Hicks communication problems may be genetic in origin, if his son is any indication…
"To have the judgment and wisdom and personal touch of Nolan Ryan, and the tremendous group that JD has assembled, I think the Rangers on the baseball side are the envy of every franchise in baseball in terms of talent."
-- Chuck Greenberg
That could be environment, not genetics
:)
Freude, schoener Goetterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische dein Heiligtum.
x
@aarongleeman Headline doesn’t begin to do this justice… New at NBC/CTB: “Gerald Laird’s arrest involved NBA player’s wife” – http://bit.ly/biuR1G
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
Hmmmm,
Did Laird try to use his 6th tool with the wrong lady?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
by Josey Wales on Jan 28, 2010 10:57 AM CST up reply actions
Well played sir
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
by Michael Cave on Jan 28, 2010 12:45 PM CST up reply actions
Hahaha, so he has an uppercut tool...
and an adultery tool?
That’s 7, at least. This guys a regular fucking toolshed..
New jersey number needed.
Grandpa Laird was touching a player's wife
inappropriately. And that started a fight with security guards.
Grandpa Laird must've been taking
the blue pills.
Wow.
The whole Laird family is proud of their tools.
Freude, schoener Goetterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische dein Heiligtum.
What a riot!
I really like Gleeman.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"When you have a weapon on your shoulder like he has, you can be cool." RW on Perez
And the little bastard threw it for a swinging strike three in a 3-2 count. He’s blessed. And ballsy.
How many Angels were on that Top 50 Prospect list?
(high five)
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
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