World Series Preview: Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants - The Culmination
by ghostofErikThompson on Oct 26, 2010 5:00 PM CDT
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Print50 years is a long time. It's a half-century. There's only been 40.2 instances of 50 consecutive years in our recorded calendar. In the lifespan of a person, 50 is squarely middle-aged. If the Rangers were a person, you would consider what we're about to see a mid-life crisis. The Rangers just bought their candy apple red sports car. The Rangers want you to know that they're on the market. Come and get it.
The Rangers spent its childhood in Washington. A poverty stricken malnourished child sent to live with its uncle in Texas to whip 'im into shape. The Rangers were a sitcom. A bad one. No one laughed. It probably should have been canceled. But for a select few, we tuned in every night. And we fell in love.
There's no doubt that there are people that love this team regardless of if there are other people in the world just finding out that the Rangers exist. Not just the 2010 Texas Rangers, but the 1972 team, the 1986 team, the 1993 team, the 1996 team, the 2004 team, and every horrible, terrifying, excruciating team in between. Maybe you fell in love with a particular player. Maybe your grandfather or grandmother, mother or father, sister or brother loved the Rangers and passed it along. Maybe you grew up in Texas and the Rangers were your team, through and through. Whatever the case, whenever it happened, you fell in love. You fell in love with the Texas Rangers and it was eternal. And for these people, these Rangers fans, you and me, this is the culmination of our dedication.
The Rangers could have not made it the World Series this season and we would have been back for more. We would have been back because of Buddy Bell and Tom Grieve, Toby Harrah and Pete Incaviglia, Nolan Ryan and Steve Buechele, Pudge Rodriguez and Juan Gonzalez, Michael Young and David Dellucci. Elvis Andrus and Neftali Feliz. But they are. They are in the World Series. The Texas Rangers are in the World Series and every 110 degree summer loss on aluminum bleachers was worth it. Every third-degree sunburn for a fourth place team in June has been healed. Every mind closed to the existence of baseball in Arlington has been opened. Forever. Here's your reward. Here's your reward for caring. Here's your reward for falling in love. As much as you want something from a relationship, as much as you want to feel something tangible in this construct of being a fan, you never need it. The Rangers have us for life, regardless. You never even needed the reward, and yet, here it is.
To me, this season has been a search for history. A search for a defining moment for this franchise. A drive for relevancy and something to hold onto. In July, for the first time in my adult life, I bought a team jersey. I bought a Cliff Lee replica. Everyone I mentioned the jersey to admired the balls of it. Cliff Lee was going to be gone in half of a year. I'd be wearing the jersey of a guy playing for the Yankees next season. But it wasn't to be brazen or bold, I wanted something to memorialize 2010. I wanted something that I could keep and say, "That's 2010." I feel that way when I watch this team in October. "That's 2010." Forever, when we talk about these Rangers, when we comb the memory banks for those moments, those memories, for the rest of our time as sports fan, we'll have, "That's 2010."
You know, it dawned on me at some point during the insanity of this week, as I processed my thoughts, my mind wandered back to February (a month that would see these Rangers report for spring training duty), the New Orleans Saints, a team not unlike our Texas Rangers in historical ineptitude, were on their way to a Super Bowl victory. The punchline to the joke was, "If the Saints can make it to the Super Bowl then the Rangers can surely make it to the World Series!" And so, the Rangers did. The Rangers are going to play in the World Series in the same year the Saints won a Super Bowl. Where are the sports gods? What are they doing? Are the gods just taking a vacation? Some one needs to let them know what's going on down here or else the Clippers will be hoisting a championship trophy. But let 'em wait a few more weeks. They've clearly earned the time off.
Wednesday, October 27 6:57 @ AT&T Park: LHP Cliff Lee! vs. RHP Tim Lincecum
Thursday, October 28 6:57 @ AT&T Park: LHP C.J. Wilson vs. RHP Matt Cain
Saturday, October 30 5:57 @ The Ballpark LHP Jonathan Sanchez vs. RHP Colby Lewis
Sunday, October 31 7:20 @ The Ballpark LHP Madison Bumgarner vs. RHP Tommy Hunter
*Monday, November 1 6:57 @ The Ballpark RHP Tim Lincecum vs. LHP Cliff Lee!
*Wednesday, November 3 6:57 @ AT&T Park: LHP C.J. Wilson vs. RHP Matt Cain
*Thursday, November 4 6:57 @ AT&T Park: RHP Colby Lewis vs. LHP Jonathan Sanchez
*If Necessary
Why The Rangers Will Win: Sorry underdog fans. The Rangers are probably the favorites in this one. Robbie Griffin wrote his awesome preview and gave the Rangers just under 66% odds to win this series. For perhaps the first time in this postseason, the offense is the unit to point and say the Rangers have a significant advantage. However, it is compounded by the fact that an American League's offensive output is just better than that of the National League. This season, the NL scored 4.33 runs per game. The AL scored 4.45. If you look at the best offenses, the top three National League offenses averaged about 4.8 runs per game where as the top three offenses in the American League averaged about 5.1 runs per game. So while the Giants were in the top 2/3 of National League offenses, the Rangers were a top 4 or 5 in the American League offensively. National media, I excuse you from talking often about the powerful, offense-minded Texas Rangers. For this series, you might be right.
Also, back during the All-Star Break, we were grousing about the Nation League winning for the first time in 11 years to take home field advantage in the World Series from American League. To me, it made all the sense in the world:
It's entirely like the 2010 Texas Rangers to win the World Series.
Why The Rangers Won't Win: That's the way baseball go.
P.S. The Rangers are going to win.
San Francisco Giants (92-70 NL West Champion)
Rangers' 2010 Record vs. San Francisco: N/A
San Francisco's Recent Results: 4-2 NLCS Victory over the Philadelphia Phillies
SBN Giants' Blog: McCovey Chronicles
|
Match-up: (as of 2010) |
Rangers |
Giants |
Advantage |
|
|
Batting (RAR) |
38.4 (9th) |
-14.6 (17th) |
Rangers |
|
|
Starting 4 (RAR) |
151.5 |
127.5 |
Rangers |
|
|
Bullpen (RAR) |
43.6 (7th) |
59.1 (4th) |
Giants |
|
|
Defense UZR |
18.1 (9th) |
56.4 (2nd) |
Giants |
|
|
Overall RAR |
251.6 |
228.4 |
|
Questions to Answer:
- Are you mad that this is the first year that Ichiro's pregame All-Star Game speech wasn't effective?
- Who will be the Rangers OPS leader for the series? My guess: Josh Hamilton. Who will be the Giants OPS leader for the series? My guess: Aubrey Huff.
- Over/Under: 1.5 Ranger Splash Dongs!?
- Which team do you predict will win this series and in how many games? I'm going Rangers in six games.
- Who else is already ready to do this all over again?
257 comments
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9 recs |
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Comments
Sorry this is late...
1. This might be the toughest, but most joyous, thing I’ve ever had to write.
2. Some fella from the SF Chronicle came to my house to interview me about what it’s like to be a Rangers fan in the Bay Area. (Weird!)
3. I WAS SECURING GAME 1 WORLD SERIES TICKETS! I’M GOING!
by ghostofErikThompson on Oct 26, 2010 5:01 PM CDT reply actions 11 recs
I've really enjoyed your previews this season, goET.
Thank you for all your hard work.
"Drinks are on me if Lewis posts >168IP and an era lower than 3.86." by RangerMad on Jan 20, 2010 12:36 PM PST
by jam0152 on Oct 26, 2010 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions 17 recs
Definitely
I love this team, and I love reading about them on this blog.
When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream.
I'm going to go through a mourning period...
not getting to write them for a while.
by ghostofErikThompson on Oct 26, 2010 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions
I remember writing the ALDS preview and thinking "this could be the last one."
When Michael Young hit his home run, I meant to email you saying: YOU GET TO WRITE AT LEAST ONE MORE!!!
you could always preview Cowboys games
“well, this is gonna suck. Cowboys lose. Fin.”
"Does this effectively hide my thunder?"
"Once you suffer through it, it’s all glorious beard from there." -GoET
Hahaha...
I was supposed to do a “What We Learned” series on the Cowboys over on SB Nation Dallas Ft. Worth but oh God…it depresses me so much. I’m still going to do it once the calendar hits November.
by ghostofErikThompson on Oct 27, 2010 1:10 AM CDT up reply actions
"What we learned...
The fans were right and Jerry was wrong. The end."
"The Angels are like the villain in the movie that isn't dead until he's been stabbed 150 times in the bath tub, yet he still might come back up one more time." - Eric Nadel
Can you really learn something that you already knew??
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
Point taken.
"The Angels are like the villain in the movie that isn't dead until he's been stabbed 150 times in the bath tub, yet he still might come back up one more time." - Eric Nadel
*Again.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Oct 27, 2010 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions
great article GoET
Outstanding work all season, but you have really ramped it up for the playoff series and this one is your best yet. Thanks.
10/2 - The legend is about to grow exponentially. Josh Hamilton is about to become the most talked about athlete in the world.
These have been outstanding
so are you arb eligible yet? or are you still under SBN control for a little while.
Thanks for your effort.
Godwin's Law Version 2.0 (Rangers Edition)
"As a Ranger discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Danks, Volquez, or Young approaches one."
by LBBRangerFan on Oct 26, 2010 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions
He's a rookie
6 more years of servitude awaits
Indeed....
Great job all season, GoET!!
When you use those words, `mystique’ and `aura,’ those are dancers in a night club. Those are not things we concern ourselves on the ball field." – Curt Schilling on if the Yankees mystique and aura would affect the Diamondbacks in the 2001 World Series.
by GhostofSteveFoucault on Oct 26, 2010 7:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Rectified to the billionith parsec
Congrats on WS Tix
"Ooooh....I want some fucking pancakes!" son of willamos2
Thanks so much, fellas...
It means a lot that you liked ’em!
by ghostofErikThompson on Oct 27, 2010 1:10 AM CDT up reply actions
All the previews have been fantastic.
Loved them all. Wish AJM had wised up earlier and started you in April!
This Preview almost has me sports crying again
Excellent work!
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
Ya, I want details! (or at least a link when he posts)
"I don't do a straight up Mitch for Butler" -- booyakasha
I spoke with Justin Berton...
and Mike Kepka came over and took some photos of me in the antlers with the claw.
They contacted Baseball North from the fanpost about Bay Area meet-up for the games and he forwarded it along to me.
by ghostofErikThompson on Oct 26, 2010 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions
I talked to Justin this morning
I don’t think he got any good witticisms from me, though.
"I wanted to go out there and punch Julio," Washington said. - After Borbon dropped a fly ball with one out in 9th of the AL West clinching game against Oakland As. 09/25/10
"If I had caught it, the force would have taken me through the fence." -- Rockies outfielder Ryan Spilborghs about a Nelson Cruz line drive.
by NorCalRangersFan on Oct 26, 2010 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions
You're going to
start the GDTs beforehand right?
Please?
"If the Saints can reach the Superbowl, the Rangers can reach the World Series." - PhilKid
The Animated Ballpark in Arlington
Fantastic
"If the Saints can reach the Superbowl, the Rangers can reach the World Series." - PhilKid
The Animated Ballpark in Arlington
Honest question:
Did you struggle with hitting “publish?” Did you feel like you couldn’t possibly encapsulate the enormity of what you’re writing about with the words you were putting down? Are you entirely intimidated by the fact that this might end up being the most widely read thing you’ve ever written?
Are you freaking out even afterwards?
I take it you had those feelings?
You knocked it out of the park as well.
Godwin's Law Version 2.0 (Rangers Edition)
"As a Ranger discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Danks, Volquez, or Young approaches one."
by LBBRangerFan on Oct 26, 2010 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah...
I really feel like I do my best when I’m capturing a moment, however, there’s just no way to do this moment justice. No way. I did my best but I feel like there’s so much more to say. But they are all feelings that do not have words.
by ghostofErikThompson on Oct 26, 2010 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions
I think the gifs of Ron Washington waving Hamilton around and the Cruz missile/fireworks
are the best way I can capture my feelings about the Rangers in general.
So much angst but so much joy.
The angst makes the joy
that much sweeter and that much more intense.
When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream.
It's like a Squeeze song.
I can hardly contain
The hurt and the anger
And the joy of the pain
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
Black Coffee in bed
I saw them at Bronco Bowl circa 1980.
"Ooooh....I want some fucking pancakes!" son of willamos2
With Flock if Seagulls and Joe King Carosco
Wow. I totally forgot about that concert.
"Ooooh....I want some fucking pancakes!" son of willamos2
Here's a link
Awesome writeup, love you.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
That's cool, TB and the MFY
mocked the claw, the antlers, Josh/Ron’s past grievances etc, and they lost too. They even mocked the image of the poster you are replying to. Just a few of the similar type things I’ve seen at MCC. News flash: opponents get mocked on home team blogs.
"I don't do a straight up Mitch for Butler" -- booyakasha
Sports fans trash talk other sports fans?
by ghostofErikThompson on Oct 27, 2010 2:40 AM CDT up reply actions
Too bad it always ends in a loss for the fans who did the trash talking.
Always!
Superman wears Josh Hamilton pajamas.
You're going?!
Fantastic! Now I don’t have to feel incredibly guilty about failing to secure you tickets with my pre-sale code.
Rangers in 5
Please check out the charity that I run, Fort Worth Music Outreach@ www.fortworthmusicoutreach.org
The Texas Rangers are going to the World Series.
I still feel like this is one big practical joke that someone has masterminded, Truman Show-style.
"Don’t want to spend my night waiting in line unless it’s for more beer."
--EssBee, on LoneStarBall, Jan. 21, 2010
Tom Hicks Show Style....
If I had a gun to my head and had to pick one pitcher to pitch a game to save my life.... I'd pick 1999 Rick Helling.
by matthewbschultz83 on Oct 26, 2010 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions
FWIW, us Giant fans feel basically the same way.
I was really pulling for the Rangers in the AL playoffs… they remind me a bit of the Giants in a “happy to be here but man how cool would it be if we won a few games” way. Here’s hoping for a Giants win, but I’ll be happy for you guys if you take it. Maybe.
Rangers beat the Yankees, Giants beat the Phillies
The nation’s media minds should’ve been blown. Everyone now probably realized that with all the great pitchers on basically all the playoff teams, anything could happen.
As a Giants fan, the only thing I might still not be mentally prepared for is a situation where Rangers win due to a MVP-performance by Molina. That would just be mind-numbing in every possible ways.
The fat sumabitch is our buddah, and Lee is our Dahli Lama.
/BGL
"Ooooh....I want some fucking pancakes!" son of willamos2
How in the hell did I miss that?
Well done kk
"Ooooh....I want some fucking pancakes!" son of willamos2
I concur.
When the playoffs started, I pretty much decided that if the Rangers don’t make it I wanted the Giants to win it all. Kind of odd that I need to root against the team I’ve been rooting for so far in the NL… lol.
by macromorgan on Oct 26, 2010 10:04 PM CDT up reply actions
"That's 2010."
Plus, you got to meet me :D
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
Everything regarding the Rangers this year has been fantastic...
Especially Rich Harden. And meeting you.
by ghostofErikThompson on Oct 26, 2010 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Mike Olt is displeased with the disrespect you're showing him.
"Don’t want to spend my night waiting in line unless it’s for more beer."
--EssBee, on LoneStarBall, Jan. 21, 2010
To answer
1) No
2) Michael Young (my bold prediction d’jour)
3) Over (Josh might have a couple by himself)
4) Rangers in 5 (realistically 6, but I want to clinch at home, so that’s my greedy prediction)
5) Me! I don’t want to watch crappy Cowboys or same ‘ol Mavericks! 200 games and 7 months of baseball just isn’t enough!
"Drinks are on me if Lewis posts >168IP and an era lower than 3.86." by RangerMad on Jan 20, 2010 12:36 PM PST
I almost mentioned Feb 14th this morning
Heh.
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
The world series of previews...awesome
1. I’m mad, but that ain’t the reason
2. Vlad. Resurgence time…
3. Under, only two games there
4. Rangers in 5, Cliff gets mauled in a CGSO
5. It’s fucked up, but I admit it, I can see the offseason ahead…boo
"I don't do a straight up Mitch for Butler" -- booyakasha
That was amazing.
This one is for my dad and grandfather who tricked my mom into taking me to a September game in Arlington as a 2 week old baby. It was only 102 outside apparently, but mom thought we were going to Abilene. (as I have been told). I’ve never sports cried until 10\22\10 but I’ll be damn proud to do it again. Let’s do this thang. Team of MOTHER FUCKING DESTINY!
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
by TxStCa on Oct 26, 2010 5:11 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
This one is for my grandmother...
…who told Zonk to stop banging his drum because he was hurting her ears.
"Don’t want to spend my night waiting in line unless it’s for more beer."
--EssBee, on LoneStarBall, Jan. 21, 2010
by ghtd36 on Oct 26, 2010 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Splash Hits
GoET – they’re called Splash Hits, dammit, and that’s by far the coolest moniker for any baseball-related feat anywhere. Surely you detect the sarcasm. The name ‘Splash Hit’ is about as cool as that douchebag trashcan robot, Rusty, they had floating around PacBell back in it’s first season.
1. Ichiro can suck my butt.
2. Vlad Guerrero. Aubrey Huff.
3. Over. Hamilton will hit 1 in each of games 1 and 2. Moreland will hit one as well.
4. Rangers in 6.
5. I’ve been doing that non-stop since Friday night.
If he does, I'm changing my scarlett-letter of a sig. Or maybe I'll keep it out of pride.
"I don't do a straight up Mitch for Butler" -- booyakasha
Oh, but he'll get the loft.
Just by entering the city of SF, everything gets a little lighter in the loafers, if you catch my drift. This applies to Mitch Moreland mashes.
Mike Maddux:
“I’ve got to say our MVP is Bud Selig, for letting us operate without a checkbook,” Maddux said. “He’s got to be one of the unsung heroes of baseball, at least as far as the Rangers are concerned.”
"Drinks are on me if Lewis posts >168IP and an era lower than 3.86." by RangerMad on Jan 20, 2010 12:36 PM PST
I understand that some of the other clubs may not have liked it
but Bud was right to give the club a lifeline to protect both the league’s say over its franchisee and the value of all franchises.
And as you say, JD and Co. worked within a budget to make this happen, paying for in season acquisitions by adding talent to deals.
Yeah, it's a misnomer to just say that MLB bailed the Rangers out.
Everything was budgeted and approved by the MLB and every dollar repayed.
Don’t hate the player, hate the game.
"Drinks are on me if Lewis posts >168IP and an era lower than 3.86." by RangerMad on Jan 20, 2010 12:36 PM PST
It was so annoying when the media was saying the Rangers were "owned" by MLB
"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.
Well, that's OK, cuz now MLB is owned by 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
Totally
Plus, you absolutely cannot say that the Rangers abused their lifeline of cash in any way. It was a gigantic struggle that left us without several decent prospects just to get the cost down. Sniffle, Michael Main.
Even if the Rangers sweep
I think game 5 should happen. Lee vs. Lincecum, for charity or something.
When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream.
by t ball on Oct 26, 2010 5:14 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Let's see...
1. No.
2. I’ve stuck with Vlad all year. Not changing now. Vlad.
3. Under.
4. Rangers in 6.
5. Sure.
?s
1. it does suck a little
2. Hamilton, Posey
3. Over. Hamilton loves swimming
4. Rangers in 5
5. I’m still enjoying this ride, and I’m not ready for this to end. Go Rangers! Kick some Giant ass!
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
I became a Rangers fan in 1979
I remember those guys well, along with Bump Wills (who has one of the best names ever), Al Oliver, Bobby Bonds, Sunny, Fergie, etc.
"I wanted to go out there and punch Julio," Washington said. - After Borbon dropped a fly ball with one out in 9th of the AL West clinching game against Oakland As. 09/25/10
"If I had caught it, the force would have taken me through the fence." -- Rockies outfielder Ryan Spilborghs about a Nelson Cruz line drive.
by NorCalRangersFan on Oct 26, 2010 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions
yep, i was a little kid then and have a bunch of polaroids pics
with those guys since my brother and i joined the jack in the box youth ranger club. i used to see Oliver a lot at optimist football games and just saw Fergie(and Bump’s dad Maury) during the Ft Worth Cats spring training back in May.
But Harrah and Hargrove were two of my favorites
Is that the Fat Lady in the San Francisco picture?
Seems she’s a little early. Guess it’s good for her to have her voice warmed up, though.
by LoneStarHoosier on Oct 26, 2010 5:19 PM CDT reply actions
thank you for posting these this season GoET
I really enjoy reading these… appreciate the hard work.
by I am Neftali Feliz on Oct 26, 2010 5:21 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Qs
1. No, I’m mad that the effin’ all star game decides home field. Stupid.
2. Hamilton, Posey
3. Under, they’ll pitch around Hamilton and the other sluggers are righties
4. Rangers in 6
5. Well, not ALL of this (leave out the team sale stuff, please)
When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream.
Well written, Ghost. Not just today but all season.
Rangers win it in 5, there’s one splash down HR and Vlad is our OPS leader.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
I would love for Vlad to lead
because it would likely mean the offense had done very well indeed and that walking Hamilton had worked out badly for the Giants.
When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream.
It's easy to pick Josh or Cruz so I'm hoping Vlad's
big hit the other night gets him going.
And if he’s hitting, we’re going to roll.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
Got the word around lunch
Have tickets to Game 1 and 2. I’ll catch you guys on the way back. Go Rangers.
"Support the Dutch Oven"
Meetup!
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
Yes! Yes!
"I wanted to go out there and punch Julio," Washington said. - After Borbon dropped a fly ball with one out in 9th of the AL West clinching game against Oakland As. 09/25/10
"If I had caught it, the force would have taken me through the fence." -- Rockies outfielder Ryan Spilborghs about a Nelson Cruz line drive.
by NorCalRangersFan on Oct 26, 2010 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Answers
1. No
2. Cruz and Posey
3. Over
4. Rangers in 6
5. Once we win the World Series, I’ll be ready to do it all over again.
"Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor."-Capote
Great writeup.
You put my feelings into words in ways that I never would be able to. Are you in my head?
There's one word that describes baseball - `You never know.' - Joaquin Andujar
Answers
1. Eh, I could care less. So no.
2. Young and Posey
3. Under
4. Rangers in 4 – SWEEP
5. I’m ready, but I need a couple of months off…
Go Rice Owls!
yeah... I'm going out on the limb
well… some giants fan said he had “great power” so I’m believing him.
Seriously though – since we’re just guessing here (Hamilton or Cruz being too obvious an answer), I think Young is going to get hot and have quite the series. I could see him popping several doubles and a few homers, hitting a .450/.490/.700 clip.
He would never sustain that over a long series, but I am predicting a sweep after all – he can get hot and do that over 4 games.
Go Rice Owls!
I know anything can happen
but I just wanted to know what kind of number you had in mind for young.
I guess I’m thinking Josh or Nellie go on a ridiculous tear that no reasonable fantasy of Young could match. And Young may end up leading the team in OPS but then I don’t like our chances in the series.
1190 is good but I’m hoping for a higher number from our leader
There is nobody on this team I want to win a WS MVP award more than MY
"I don't do a straight up Mitch for Butler" -- booyakasha
Yeah, that'd be fun.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
I just want it to be a Ranger
When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream.
answers
1. No. But I would like to hear one of those speeches once.
2. Cruz and Posey
3. Under
4. Rangers in 6
"They bootyholes is just fine, thank you"
Haha!!!
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
skipping life for the next 7 days?
I actually have a regular trivia night on Wednesdays where it’s me and a Giants fan. A third party asked us if we wanted to be excused but the Giants fan said he didn’t think of the opposition as rivals so I decided I could try to watch it with him.
I’m not sure how it’s going to work out.
One last time - Boo
Nah, makes as much sense to me as alternating back and forth based on year.
Josh Hamilton/Posey
Over (3)
Texas in 7 – Do you really expect this to come easily for the Rangers?
Godwin's Law Version 2.0 (Rangers Edition)
"As a Ranger discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Danks, Volquez, or Young approaches one."
There have been 1960 recorded instances of 50 consecutive years (assuming A.D. only)
1 – 50 AD
2 – 51
3 – 52
…
1961 – 2010
"I wanted to go out there and punch Julio," Washington said. - After Borbon dropped a fly ball with one out in 9th of the AL West clinching game against Oakland As. 09/25/10
"If I had caught it, the force would have taken me through the fence." -- Rockies outfielder Ryan Spilborghs about a Nelson Cruz line drive.
by NorCalRangersFan on Oct 26, 2010 5:47 PM CDT reply actions
The beginning of this made me think of "The Jerk"
“I was born a poor black child.”
"I wanted to go out there and punch Julio," Washington said. - After Borbon dropped a fly ball with one out in 9th of the AL West clinching game against Oakland As. 09/25/10
"If I had caught it, the force would have taken me through the fence." -- Rockies outfielder Ryan Spilborghs about a Nelson Cruz line drive.
by NorCalRangersFan on Oct 26, 2010 5:49 PM CDT reply actions
My song for CLIFF LEE!
I’m picking out a Thermos™ for you..
Not an ordinary Thermos™ for you.
But the extra best Thermos™ that you can buy
with vinyl, and stripes, and a cup built right in.
I’m picking out a Thermos™ for you
And maybe a barometer, too
And what else can I buy so on me you’ll rely?
A rear-end thermometer, too!
"Does this effectively hide my thunder?"
"Once you suffer through it, it’s all glorious beard from there." -GoET
by Bob Loblaw on Oct 27, 2010 1:21 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Vlad starting in RF in both games in SF
"what I have learned in 11 years in the sports business is that the dumbest guys in the room are always the media guys." - mark cuban
no link
Buster Olney just said it on ESPN
"what I have learned in 11 years in the sports business is that the dumbest guys in the room are always the media guys." - mark cuban
wash on vlad
“only reason we played him at DH (during the season) was to keep him healthy”
"what I have learned in 11 years in the sports business is that the dumbest guys in the room are always the media guys." - mark cuban
OT: On this talk of expanding number of teams in the playoffs...
Fuck that. I’m saying that even as a Rangers fan. Baseball is awesome in that it only allows 4 per league. From my perspective, you’d have to shorten the regular season, have “bye weeks” for teams, or go into mid-November. Those are all stupid.
Now for extending the *DS series to seven games? Yes please.
"I don't do a straight up Mitch for Butler" -- booyakasha
Baseball playoffs are perfect.
I understand the desire to increase doubt of outcome, it keeps more fans involved during the season. However, I’ve yet to see an expansion proposal I think is worth it. I don’t like short series or byes in baseball, and eight teams would be too much.
I like the current set up and wouldn't want to see winning the division further stripped of value.
I wouldn’t hate a three game play-in series at home for the wildcard winner against the runner-up. That’s not the sort of revenue they are looking to add, but it might keep another couple of teams in the mix until the end and discourage clubs from picking their division series opponent as some have accused the Yankees of doing this year.
I saw mention of how many teams the NBA lets into the playoffs
No mention of the fact that it takes literally TWO MONTHS to finish the NBA playoffs (They started April 17 and the Lakers won the title on June 17).
I did like the Mad Magazine cartoon from 1995 or so, though, comparing old baseball (“THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT! THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT!”) with modern baseball (“THE GIANTS WIN THE WILD-CARD SLOT WITH THE BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE AMONGST THE SECOND-PLACE TEAMS! THE GIANTS WIN THE WILD-CARD SLOT WITH THE BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE AMONGST THE SECOND-PLACE TEAMS!”)
Yes, and such a playoff had only happened twice before, interestingly both had occured within 5 years.
There is part of me that finds the pre-1969 system appealing — best regular season goes to the WS. However, that part of me can go sit in the corner since it wouldn’t get to watch the Rangers in the Series. The current system provides some intrigue every year, and while the climax may not be as high as “Giants win the pennant!” the games stay relevant for more fans for longer. That’s a good thing, and it’s still more selective than the other sports.
The current system is good for fans.
Pennant races like ’93 are great, but with two (or fewer) teams, fewer fans have anything to care about earlier more often.
Some more OT: The man w/ the largest waist size and postseason WPA differential in Rangers' history just posted:
http://bengiemolina.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/10/back_in_san_francisco.html
"I don't do a straight up Mitch for Butler" -- booyakasha
his whole blog is awesome
I went back and read some of his old posts from the SF days. bengie is a great guy
It's Time.
by Jason Brynsvold on Oct 26, 2010 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions
That is an awesome read
And yeah, he is a great dude.
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
Great post GoET...
- No
- Cruz and Posey
- Under (1 from Josh)
- RANGERS in 6!
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
And after reading the thread, it appears that I just copied ab.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
Something to be said with going with the obvious
But I was thinking 0 HR’s in the drink
by ab03 on Oct 26, 2010 6:32 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
props to GoET
1. Meh.
2. Young and Uribe
3. Under
4. RANGERS in 4.
5. I am.
Jon Daniels > Nolan Ryan > awesome
Nice one GOET
1) Nah
2) CJ Wilson – Had to give an answer nobody else would / Ross (keeping up the mystical magic.
3) Under
4) Rangers in 5.
5) Too much more of this and I’ll be arrested… cardiovascularly.
I like #2. A 5.00 OPS for CJ going 1-1 w/ a jack
"I don't do a straight up Mitch for Butler" -- booyakasha
Considering there are about three visitor Splash Hits per season
I’ll go Under 1.5 during the max four games. That said, it would be cool to see Hamilton take BP in AT&T.
Giants in seven.
Yep...they are pretty rare since BLB left.
http://mlbpaa.mlb.com/sf/ballpark/splashhits.jsp
55 total by Giants in 10 years (35 by Bonds).
22 total by visitors (2.2 /yr avg). Actually, that list seems to be a little out of date… Ankeil put one in the water during the NLDS, so total is 23 now.
Yeah...
but the o/u can’t be .5 after Hamilton does it tonight.
by ghostofErikThompson on Oct 27, 2010 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions
More AT&T Weirdness
In the ten years the park has been open, there have been something like 32 total home runs over the right field fence hit by right handed batters. Doubles and triples galore, but righties simply must pull the ball to get it out.
by biff pocoroba on Oct 27, 2010 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions
X
1) His what?
2) Cruz and Burrell
3) Hell, give us one to cherish forever
4) Rangers in 7 (I want a classic series that the Rangers win, and many years from now people will still say “Yep, I was watching when the Rangers won, and I still remember.”)
(though if the Rangers win in 4,5, or 6, that’s cool too)
5) Nope. I wanna them to finish this first- then we can talk about them doing it every year)
by Giant Space Ants on Oct 26, 2010 6:58 PM CDT reply actions
O/U
how many times some form of the phrase “NL rules suck” will be said?
"Obviously you're not a golfer" -- His Dudeness
I'm guessing we'll have six PAs by pitchers, maybe seven.
I’ll give the pitchers one hit, and I’ll give Ron one bizarre NL-related move.
So I’m setting the O/U at 65.5
most of these will come from me.....
"you can drop the antlers on 'em...or you can drop the claw on 'em."
Mitch rules
1) Who is Ichiro?
2) Moreland and Posey
3) 4 with 2 by Moreland
4) Rangers in 5
5) Lets play 2.
Great work on the preview
1. No, but it sucks that this is the year we could have used an AL win.
2. Cody Ross/Kinsler (Would have gone Hambone, but Kins needs love too.)
3. Under
4. Rangers in 5
5. Yup, hopefully with Cliff Lee signed and a new flag at the ballpark.
I don't believe in Jinxes
After the Rangers win this I think they should put them on that steam train that is in Ft. Worth rather than the normal parade. Call it the Victory express and have the train roll through the D-FW area making stops at all the major burbs
Just a genius at large
"You can make something fool proof but not damn fool proof"
Dwight Eisenhower
Sounds like it would be awesome...
Problem is (speaking as the son of a railroader), the track that goes through Arlington is one of the major freight routes in the nation. And notoriously congested.
Plus, you’d have to deal with multiple dispatching authorities…if you want to go through Richland Hills/Irving/etc, that’s relatively local…getting to Arlington from Dallas or Fort Worth is dispatched in Omaha.
x
The St. Francis? Really? Great location but not the best hotel.
Speaking of the Rangers, they will be staying at the St. Francis in Union Square during Game 1 and Game 2. Lefty O’Douls, just across the street, promises to do everything in their power to give the Giants an advantage, which includes having a trumpeter on the sidewalk play at all hours of the night. Crafty.
This shit ain't over til Bengie Molina sings.
When the Rangers clinched in Oakland...
they were staying at the St. Francis. The Bay Area LSBers went over there and had some drinks at the bar there. It was neat.
by ghostofErikThompson on Oct 26, 2010 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions
In terms of miles or likelihood?
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
It's very opulent and grand and has a lot of history...
and gets a ton of foot traffic. I was quite enamored by it last year when i was in town I had a free night at pretty much any hotel in San Francisco from hotels.com. I chose the St. Francis over the 4 Seasons, Fairmount, Ritz Carlton etc…Hotels.com used to allow you a free night for up to $400 if you booked 10 hotel stays with them, they smartened up since then and now do an average of what you spent per stay.
Well I stayed there in some big opulent room. I mean it was O.K. and I’m glad I got to stay there to see what all the hubbub was about. I wasn’t that impressed. The rooms are dated and just not as nice as I expected. It’s all about walking out the door and being on Union Squares doorstep. It just seems like an odd choice for a baseball team since there are people coming and going out of there constantly. I’d expect some place a lot more quite like the Fairmont or 4 Seasons. I do like going to that post office next door in Macy’s in the basement. It’s the only post office I’ve ever seen that’s open on Sundays. I do wish I was in town though since drinks at the St. Francis sound like such a treat right now.
This shit ain't over til Bengie Molina sings.
hey GoET if you're ever in the tenderloin/civic center area...
you have to check out Tommy’s Joynt. For 10 bucks you can get a plate of delicious brisket, a vegetable, salad and a sourdough roll. It’s on Van Ness and Geary, and worth the trip, it’s an institution and considered the original hof-brau of San Francisco and that brisket is delicious! They slice it right in front of ya.
This shit ain't over til Bengie Molina sings.
That sounds awesome!
I’ll check it out.
by ghostofErikThompson on Oct 27, 2010 1:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Tommy's Joynt is outstanding.
Here’s their website- http://www.tommysjoynt.com/
"It feels awesome. Feels like when you were a kid and every guy gets a chance to be a hero, then you eat orange slices and kool-aid after the game. Except we’re nailing champagne right now." —Brian Wilson
"The mass of people, as La Boetie and Mises recognised, always and everywhere consists of "brutes", "dullards", and "fools", easily deluded and sunk into habitual submission. Thus today, inundated from early childhood with government propaganda in public schools and educational institutions by legions of publicly certified intellectuals, most people mindlessly accept and repeat nonsense such as that democracy is self-rule and government is of, by, and for the people." Hans-Hermann Hoppe
by Sabean's_Folly on Oct 27, 2010 3:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Outstanding isn't the word.
How about surprisingly good for a tourist trap?
"Ooooh....I want some fucking pancakes!" son of willamos2
Been there maybe a hundred times
I usually get the turkey sloppy joe, which tastes better than it sounds.
by biff pocoroba on Oct 27, 2010 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions
I always get the bbq brisket....it's sooooo tasty!
Had the steak once, it was kinda rough. I’l have to try the turkey sloppy joe next time.
This shit ain't over til Bengie Molina sings.
What is everybody giving away for Trick or Treating?
Personally, i’m going to set out a bowl of Apples and Oranges on a chair on the driveway.
I’m going to be locking my fucking door with the lights off so I won’t be bothered by annoying little pimple faced runts while i’m watching Game 4 of the World Series.
"Fuck Tom Hicks. There is no aspect of my baseball universe that man hasn't shit on."
"and to Adam J. Morris and the Lone Star Ball regulars; go fuck yourself."- cmkelly29
I'll be giving out high fives to 50,000 of my closet friends
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
by TxStCa on Oct 26, 2010 9:48 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Hope everyone has time to stop by RFRL tonight
On the right, or at http://www.rangersfanradio.com
"Hey Sanka, you can pee now... uuummm, too late...."
This used to be links to my websites... But the man got in the way, shut them all down... Damn the man...
Rangers Fan Radio
Rangers Game Streams ~ Password: LSB123
by FormerLSBUser on Oct 26, 2010 7:54 PM CDT reply actions
RANGERS FAN RADIO IS LIVE
Cliff Lee: "Seventy or 80 percent of [Hamilton] is better than everyone else. Everyone knows his history. He’s a complete player who plays every aspect well. He’s the best player I’ve ever played with. That’s the best compliment I can give him.’’
Lookout Landing's podcast with Mathias and Jeff Sullivan is up.
All they talk about is Cliff Lee, though.
"Fuck Tom Hicks. There is no aspect of my baseball universe that man hasn't shit on."
"and to Adam J. Morris and the Lone Star Ball regulars; go fuck yourself."- cmkelly29
Awesome Cliff Lee quotes
"Drinks are on me if Lewis posts >168IP and an era lower than 3.86." by RangerMad on Jan 20, 2010 12:36 PM PST
Nobody goes to Stars games?
Attendance looks awful
"Fuck Tom Hicks. There is no aspect of my baseball universe that man hasn't shit on."
"and to Adam J. Morris and the Lone Star Ball regulars; go fuck yourself."- cmkelly29
It really does
they are off to a good start this year, too. They used to sell out almost every game, but this is pathetic.
I expect it to be even worse throughout the home stand
what with going up against the World Series games
by kevinkinsler on Oct 26, 2010 9:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Good
I wish failure on them til Hicks sells them.
"I wanted to go out there and punch Julio" - Ron Washington
Here is to a good series from a redneck Giants fan
I am a Giants fan in Mississippi who has followed the Giants since Will Clark signed there in the late 80’s. Don’t underestimate this Giants team. The whole is better than the sum of its parts, and they are comfortable in tight ballgames. Y’all have a mighty fine club as well. This should be a great series, enjoy.
Why are you wishing us good luck, if nothing happens when we underestimate them?
Unless this is all some sort of trick. We’re on to you, “redneck Giants fan”, if that is your real name!
by Giant Space Ants on Oct 26, 2010 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions
You'll be subject to brutally hot, shitty weather in the summers and brutally cold, shitty weather in the winter.
Oh, wait…
"It feels awesome. Feels like when you were a kid and every guy gets a chance to be a hero, then you eat orange slices and kool-aid after the game. Except we’re nailing champagne right now." —Brian Wilson
"The mass of people, as La Boetie and Mises recognised, always and everywhere consists of "brutes", "dullards", and "fools", easily deluded and sunk into habitual submission. Thus today, inundated from early childhood with government propaganda in public schools and educational institutions by legions of publicly certified intellectuals, most people mindlessly accept and repeat nonsense such as that democracy is self-rule and government is of, by, and for the people." Hans-Hermann Hoppe
by Sabean's_Folly on Oct 27, 2010 3:13 AM CDT up reply actions
well
I fell in love with Giants, it is a special franchise with a rich history and incredible fan support. Plus I love the city, hands down my favorite city to visit in the US. I have zero beef with the Rangers. I love Nolan Ryan.
You assume that these games will be tight.
Not sure that Posey will be able to handle the Rangers running attack and Hamilton is going to feast on Lincecum and Cain. If I could predict scores I’d go like this:
1) 6-1 Rangers behind a 3 hitter from Lee
2) 8-3 Rangers with Wilson going 7.
3) 5-1 Rangers with Lewis going 8 at home.
4) 8-7 Giants after Hunter blows up and Holland allows 2 inherited runners to score then shuts out the Giants for 3 more innings, after which Oliver blows it open in the 8th.
5) 10-0 Rangers behind a 2 hitter from Lee with Hamilton going yard twice.
MVP: Lee
LSJ (on Dallas Braden): I know him, and I think he's a psychotic lowlife.
Braden's grandmother: And I think calling him that is an insult to the psychotic lowlife community.
You know what sucks?
I live in Indiana in Eastern Time, and I have the choice of either watching the game or being rested enough for work in the morning. I know it’s probably a dilemna for most of us, but I just wonder how I will be any sort of decent employee this week.
by LoneStarHoosier on Oct 26, 2010 9:20 PM CDT reply actions
really?
it just gets worse and worse for me. Maybe even worse when the rangers are winning, more depressed when the rangers are losing. Completely depressed after the loss, happy but nervous after the win.
thank god for the 5 day break this time in between series. I really am enjoying basking. Haven’t really gotten nervous about SF because I keep thinking about beating the Yankees. So awesome
I am also enjoying the break
but just today it has started to sink in that the series starts tomorrow. Just want to get it started.
Rangers are so good
they will take it in 3
by TheHuntforRedOctober on Oct 26, 2010 9:30 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
My answers...
1). Not really.
2). Josh
3). Over
4). Rangers in 5
5). You betcha.
Note: When I say Over, I mean 2.
One in each game.
Major, major thanks to GoET for these this season.
RockMNation.com (@rockmnation on Twitter)
The 2010 Missouri Football Preview - Available Now!
BTW: This picture of Ron delights me.
As frustrating as some of his decisions are, I’m very happy for him.
I am too, just a little concerned about what to think about him long-term
I love him, but I don’t think I could ever love him more than Johnny Oates
by kevinkinsler on Oct 26, 2010 10:56 PM CDT up reply actions
I think Ron certainly has the team
in a better frame of mind than the 90’s Rangers. That was a tight team that lost those playoffs series before the first pitch. It was painful to see one hitter after another choke. Most of the team stayed below the Mendoza line those series.
"I wanted to go out there and punch Julio" - Ron Washington
There are a lot of things we don't know about how he has managed the team.
And I suspect that is a testament to his being results-oriented. One of the things that has been increasingly intriguing to me over the two post-season series is how much of what seemed to be gambling in the regular season could be justified as preparation for the high-stakes championship rounds. It may very well be that he sold the team on post-season ball in a way that seemed idiosyncratic but was highly effective with his players.
Greatest Ranger Manager
ever.
"I wanted to go out there and punch Julio" - Ron Washington
by DJCahill on Oct 26, 2010 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Josh Hamilton homecoming on ESPN right now.
"The Angels are like the villain in the movie that isn't dead until he's been stabbed 150 times in the bath tub, yet he still might come back up one more time." - Eric Nadel
x
1. I’m happy anytime Ichiro is ineffective, even if it means we have to put up with the little boys rules for a couple games.
2. Nelson Cruz / Buster Posey.
3. Under.
4. I’m feeling pretty good right now… which is exactly why I refuse to make a prediction.
5. I could use a good 5-6 months off from baseball, really. Actually, 1-2 months would probably suffice, but I’ll deal with 5-6. Especially if we come away from this series continuing to smile.
"I think Elvis Andrus deliberately hits grounders to the right of shortstops to show that those shortstops aren’t Elvis Andrus" - Jeff
Don't kid yourself, you know you won't be taking 1-2 months off from baseball.
Because as soon as we get past the emotions created from this series, we will all be focusing on what we think needs to happen before next season.
Alright chums, I'm back...
Let’s do this….
TEXAAAAAAAAAAAAAS RRRRANGERRRRSSSSS
(At least I have chicken)
Celebrity fan line ups:
Giants:
Steve Perry
James Franco
Huey Lewis
Robin Williams
Rangers
George Double Ya
Charley Pride
Ranger Captain
Jonas Brothers- oh wait, they’re Yankee fans, nevermind:
This shit ain't over til Bengie Molina sings.
Don't forget...
the Ghost of Jerry Garcia. He’ll be there rooting for the Giants for sure.
Answers
1) Yes !
2) Hamilton & Posey
3) under
4) Rangers in 5
by ruben_sierra#21 on Oct 27, 2010 9:32 AM CDT reply actions
I've been waiting all year for this very post.
And it didn’t disappoint. Well done, GoET. Let’s go get ’em.
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