Thursday a.m. Rangers things
by Brett Perryman on Feb 11, 2010 9:14 AM CST
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PrintRichard Durrett continues his positional tour leading into spring training, today looking at shortstop and Elvis Andrus. Durrett considers what we can expect from Andrus in his sophomore season.
Joey Matschulat takes a closer look at the battle to make the back end of the Texas rotation this spring. He considers Brandon McCarthy, Neftali Feliz, Matt Harrison, Derek Holland, C.J. Wilson and Dustin Nippert.
And there's another Cuban player getting eight digit attention from major league clubs, this one a 19 year old shortstop named Adeiny Hechevarria, and the Angels once again appear to be in the middle of the process.
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Good Morning!
"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.
Good morning to you
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Feb 11, 2010 9:27 AM CST up reply actions
and to you
Anyone a lucky bastard like me and get to stay home from work today?
"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
Nope
school is in session. Too worried about having to cancel tomorrow to also cancel today.
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Feb 11, 2010 9:29 AM CST up reply actions
We've got about 6 inches of snow out here but no shutting down the office for me
Of course, my office and house are across downtown from each other, so it’s not like I had far to drive.
"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
although I had driven about 20 miles and was about 5 minutes away from work when they called me and told me to turn around. Other than that its been a great day so far
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
You texans are so cute when it snows
"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.
"They" are saying
we could get 7" by midnight.
"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)
you mean "she" is saying
“she” could get 7" by midnight
"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
are you a child?
“that’s what she said” is old and unoriginal. get new material.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
haha i love that line...
it was so random, like most of the movie.. god was that funny that first time i heard it.
Your mom went to college.
I nearly slid out of my seat laughing...
and at the same time, I thought I was missing some of the joke or something.
Same here...
that and when Napoleon’s feeding Tina…I have to rewind that part every time…“eat the FOOD!!”
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
by GhostofSteveFoucault on Feb 11, 2010 10:16 AM CST up reply actions
that is funny
its all about the delivery
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
I think you can judge a person's sense of humor..
based on whether or not they “get” the humor in Napoleon Dynamite.
I don't get it
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
He means
that he really liked that movie and equates a “good” sense of humor with liking it as much as he did.
Freude, schoener Goetterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische dein Heiligtum.
I was told it was this generation's
‘Sixteen Candles’, which got me excited to see it. I found maybe 3 funny moments.
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
Agreed
Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit amphetamine adderall.
Who gives a shit what Josey says.............................
by Lil' Jonny Donuts on Feb 12, 2010 8:40 AM CST up reply actions
That's what makes it funny
Do you watch The Office?
by Anonymous New Guy on Feb 11, 2010 10:55 AM CST up reply actions
If he does, he's not a fan
I don’t see how you could be a fan of The Office and criticize the use of “that’s what she said.”
"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
"Thats what she said"
“Ha, I don’t get it.”
“Grapes…seductive”
by TooLegitToQuit on Feb 11, 2010 1:18 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
"I need two men on this...that's what she said, no time, but seriously she did, NO TIME!!"
"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
It is quite the spectacle
WalMart and any other grocery stores will be wiped out as people freak out
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
Just like Northerners are when the thermometer hits 100...
they would have killed themselves if they had to endure the summer of 1980 and 2000 or 2002 (I think) here in Texas…
I do agree with you, though…people clear out the “essentials” even though the high temp tomorrow is supposed to be well above freezing…
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
by GhostofSteveFoucault on Feb 11, 2010 9:55 AM CST up reply actions
And the Summer Heat wasn't "Dry" either.
It was Humid as a motherfucker.
by TooLegitToQuit on Feb 11, 2010 10:04 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
For once,
this is real snow without a layer of ice underneath or just an ice storm, which is the norm. This is a breeze in which to drive. Now, ice this bitch up and we have a whole other set of problems.
"If this video was an ice cream flavor, it'd be pralines and dick." Clark
re: Matthew Wilder-Break My Stride, 4/17/09
supposed to ice up tomorrow morning
"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
Then let the problems begin.
Every jackass with 4-wheel drive will think he is invincible, until the brakes are applied and we’ll be peeling him off a telephone pole.
"If this video was an ice cream flavor, it'd be pralines and dick." Clark
re: Matthew Wilder-Break My Stride, 4/17/09
I love just driving by
while they ponder their idiocy and try to figure out how to get out of ditch.
"If this video was an ice cream flavor, it'd be pralines and dick." Clark
re: Matthew Wilder-Break My Stride, 4/17/09
all the while texting, texting furiously away...
"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 have four-wheel drive but I use my superpower wisely
"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
BTW,
I’m home today and the wife has The View on. I’d rather be slammed into an iron maiden than watch it, but Ryan Bingham is actually going to play on there.
"If this video was an ice cream flavor, it'd be pralines and dick." Clark
re: Matthew Wilder-Break My Stride, 4/17/09
I don't really want to start a "what's with wives..." discussion
but what’s with wives and morning shows? too freaking chipper and loud and fast for so early and the morning.
"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 feel the same way as you do about The View, but if I wasn't at work I'd definitely watch that
Hopefully it’ll get posted on YouTube.
Love me some Bingham.
"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 knew you did.
"If this video was an ice cream flavor, it'd be pralines and dick." Clark
re: Matthew Wilder-Break My Stride, 4/17/09
One of my best friends from A&M's little brother opened for Bingham recently
Described him as “a pretty shady character.” Which, looking at him that doesn’t surprise me at all. I think shadiness is part of that dude’s aura.
"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
Ryan Bingham = good music
I had heard of him before I saw Crazy Heart, but didn’t know any of his music. He was very good in his small role in the film, and I have since added a few of his Crazy Heart and non-Crazy Heart tunes to my iTunes. Quality.
Yeah, I'm glad that Crazy Heart is spreading the word about him
I hope you’ve bought some stuff off the Mescalito album. “Southside of Heaven” has become one of my all-time favorite songs.
"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
All top-notch
Hard Times, Borracho Station, and Ghost of Travelin’ Jones are my other favorites off that album.
I just really like the story of Hard Times. I love the mysterious, Spanish/Western theme of Borracho, and Ghost is just a fun song to jam to.
"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
Maybe.....
…….I will click the “Complete Album” feature. $6 more would give me the rest of the tracks from that album.
If there's ever an album to click that feature, Mescalito is the one
"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
High of 43 tomorrow
According to weather.com
"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 trust wunderground
and they say 38 with a low of 27.
"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
To be fair
I just spent a week in Summit County, Co, and 20 degrees there felt more comfortable than 40 degrees here
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!
That's like Texas heat...
100 and dry in Texas was a lot more comfortable to me than 90 with humidity in CT. Weird.
You think the heat in Texas is dry?
No way. I lived in Az for 5 years. That is a dry heat.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Feb 11, 2010 10:18 AM CST up reply actions
I look at it this way..
Dry heat burns, humidity suffocates. I was in AZ for a few days and yeah it was dry, but I could still breathe and hide in shade.
Right
In Texas during the summer, sitting under a tree in the shade does you no good because of how humid it is.
In Az there’d be a 10 degree difference between my shaded patio and the sidewalk in the sun.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Feb 11, 2010 10:24 AM CST up reply actions
The humidity up here in CT is bad...
but I feel bad for poor soul’s like my brother who live in Florida. Yuck.
I was in Houston 2 summers ago...and my clothes were attached to
by TooLegitToQuit on Feb 11, 2010 10:24 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
I was at the Texas Tech / Houston
football game in late September and the game was played at night.
Beers had been flowing all day and they sold at the stadium as well…I’m not sure I have ever sweated that much in my life.
The close second would have been an August Ranger/ Yankee game I went to in NYC. It was 95 degrees with more than 90% humidity for a night game. When we flew back to Dallas it was actually cooler than it was in NYC.
"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 Feb 11, 2010 10:31 AM CST up reply actions
People think of the northeast as being cool and comfortable..
because we get some harsh winters.
The summers up here can be a real mother effer though. I’m a pasty Irish boy, I don’t do well in the sun.
it's not that cold
it got to the teens a couple of times earlier this year. That’s cold enough for me
"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
Shuddap
And go shovel your roof!
"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.
Buddy of mine in MD got another 18" last night
Bringing his total up to about 7 feet this winter…shit.
"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.
That's what I cannot fathom...
It’s been snowing here for, what, 8 hours and we only have a few inches of snow?
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
by GhostofSteveFoucault on Feb 11, 2010 10:30 AM CST up reply actions
When you have a blizzard...
I’m talking whiteout conditions.. it’s incredible. It’s gorgeous to look at, but man.. it comes fast.
My sister
got 275 inches in 2008-09 winter.
Freude, schoener Goetterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische dein Heiligtum.
You're a good man....
most would have not shown that much restraint…
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
by GhostofSteveFoucault on Feb 11, 2010 10:37 AM CST up reply actions
oops
clicked post too soon, that’s in Perrysburg, NY, up on a plateau just east of Lake Erie in the lake effect wheelhouse. Average for her town is about 200 inches of snow.
Freude, schoener Goetterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische dein Heiligtum.
You should see Californians when it rains
I’d pay good money to see it snow here just to watch the chaos that would ensue.
Go Rice Owls!
weather/TV question for WyoRanger, cmkelly, or anybody else up North
This morning, our satellite (on the roof) went out because of the snow. I live in the DFW area.
For those of you that have satellite and get a lot of snow: do you have to climb on your roof and remove all the snow to get reception?
Just curious.
It's baseball. You don't always get what you want, and you don't always want what you get. --Ed Coffin
I've done that
If a bunch of snow and ice builds up I’ll take a broom to it since it’s on the side of my house and I can reach it with that. I think I’ve only done that a couple times in the last 4-5 years.
"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.
No chance...
I am, however, hoping the let us go early…
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
by GhostofSteveFoucault on Feb 11, 2010 9:51 AM CST up reply actions
First place mother effing Texas Rangers?
"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
Elvis
The ‘Sophomore slump’ is an overused term; there’s just as many players who struggled their rookie years and then took a big step forward the next.
I just don’t see Elvis regressing; he got more and more comfortable at the plate as the year went along, and he should be fixed in the 9-hole this year from the get-go so there should not be too much pressure or adjustment for him to have to make. His fielding, as spectacular as it was, came a long way in a short time in terms of consistently making the routine play. In this I think Omar Vizquel and Ronny Wash get huge amounts of credit.
I cannot wait to see what this guy does this year and beyond.
"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
When I think of Tiny E, I think of Robby Alomar.
Alomar as a 20 year old – 9 HR & 41 RBI /.709 OPS – .266/.328/.382 – (24 doubles/ 6 triples)
Tiny E as a 20 year old – 6 HR & 40 RBI / .702 OPS – .267/.329/.373 – (17 doubles / 8 triples)
___________________
Alomar as a 21 year old – 7 HR & 56 RBI / .721 OPS – .287/.340/.381 – (27 doubles / 1 triple)
"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)
and his stolen bases
went from 24 to 42
Elvis had 33 last year.
"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 would take a Roberto Alomar career path for Elvis
That would work just fine.
"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
top 5 second basemen
easily
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
I
don’t really give a shit about 2B who played before 1960 so in the last 50 years the best 2B I’ve seen play are Morgan (maybe the best all-around player I ever saw not named Bonds), Biggio, Sandberg, Grich and Whittaker.
I was also a big, big fan of Davey Lopes…
"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)
Dont mean to date you
but my dad loved Davey Lopes. In his opinion he is one of the more underrated players he has ever seen.
"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 Feb 11, 2010 10:06 AM CST up reply actions
I grew up
with the 70’s Dodgers and Davey Lopes signed my glove.
"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 Feb 11, 2010 10:11 AM CST up reply actions
I'm a big fan of
The Penguin and Reggie Smith as well.
My last “sports cry” came the night Reggie Jax hit 3 HRs v the Dodgers in ’77.
"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 Feb 11, 2010 10:14 AM CST up reply actions
We moved here in '74.
I gave up the Angels to root for the Rangers but never gave up my love for the Dodgers.
"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 Feb 11, 2010 10:17 AM CST up reply actions
Reggie Smith- underrated greatness
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
You may get to your 40s
but you’ll never know as much as me about the Great Game.
"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 Feb 11, 2010 12:31 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Feb 11, 2010 12:33 PM CST up reply actions
That was funny...
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Feb 11, 2010 12:33 PM CST up reply actions
Whittaker
This just reminds me of what an absolute travesty it was that he got all of 2.9% from the BBWAA for the HoF
that was a shame
hopefully he’ll get more consideration from the veterans committee.
it’s something about those tigers from that generation that can’t sniff the HoF
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
Personally
I believe that Whitaker and Trammell should both eventually be HOFers
"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 Feb 11, 2010 10:40 AM CST up reply actions
Sweet Lou was my favorite
player while growing up in the D. 1984 was an absolute dream year in Detroit, not counting of course all the layoffs and lockouts.
by Whiskey in my Whiskey on Feb 11, 2010 12:40 PM CST up reply actions
I think Morgan is the best
but after that it’s pretty close between Biggio and Alomar. The other 3 on your list don’t quite stack up against the career of Alomar.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
I don't think it's easily.
Debatable but not easily. I don’t think you can say he’s definitively ahead of two out of Hornsby, Morgan, Collins, Lajoie, Gehringer or Robinson. You’d need to make a pretty strong argument that I’ve never yet seen to put him ahead of one. To say nothing of guys like Carew, Grich, Whitaker, Biggio and Sandberg, all of whom (save maybe the first two) do I personally probably have Alomar ahead of, but they’re all right in his class.
Top 10 probably, but doubtfully top 5. It’s certainly not easy.
You got his slash lines mixed up
You put his age 22 slash lines.
His age 21 season was:
7 HR & 56 RBI / 295/347/376/ 723 OPS (27 doubles, 1 triple)
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
My bad.
Alomar’s first year with an OBP above .400 came when he was 24 (.405).
"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)
Relevant
I didn’t watch Alomar Jr in his younger days so I wonder how their D compares.
"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.
My recollection of Alomar defensively
is that he was very good (he won 10 Gold Gloves for what it’s worth).
"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)
Yeah, SS and 2B are going to be different skill sets, but Alomar was an outstanding fielder as Elvis seems he will be
How about Roberto Alomar with Ozzie Smith’s SS defense? Would we take 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
Yes
"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
Would that conceivably be the greatest SS of all time?
The hypothetical Oz/Alomar career
Shadazz. She's sensitive. Just like jazz. SHADAZZ.
by Lee Carvallo's Putting Challenge on Feb 11, 2010 11:03 AM CST up reply actions
I think we traded the greatest SS of all time
to NY for Soriano.
"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 Feb 11, 2010 11:05 AM CST up reply actions
True
Shadazz. She's sensitive. Just like jazz. SHADAZZ.
by Lee Carvallo's Putting Challenge on Feb 11, 2010 11:06 AM CST up reply actions
So great
he plays 3B now
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Feb 11, 2010 11:24 AM CST up reply actions
A-Rod is okay, but he's no Cap'n Jeets
Clearly the best SS on the team had to stay and the second-best had to move to 3B.
"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
yeah
Jeter is just to “clutch” to move from SS
You hear about the "Electric Arms", they're all the rage.
"If the Rangers have marked improvement in 2010, I'm going to need to give JD credit." Josey Wales, Feb. 10, 2010 11:45 AM CST
by sunlegend54 on Feb 11, 2010 11:36 AM CST up reply actions
of course
if you can do this^ what other skill do you need?
You hear about the "Electric Arms", they're all the rage.
"If the Rangers have marked improvement in 2010, I'm going to need to give JD credit." Josey Wales, Feb. 10, 2010 11:45 AM CST
by sunlegend54 on Feb 11, 2010 11:52 AM CST up reply actions
Honus is quite underrated IMO
I think I’ll start a fanpost on this. What else do we have to do for the next 8 days?
"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
Talk about snow.
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.
by Aquaman, Esq. on Feb 11, 2010 1:02 PM CST up reply actions
Saw down below that SMU didn't let you guys ou
Tech Law was terrible about that. The rest of the campus would shut down and they’d still try to hold law classes.
"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
Yeah, they're being assholes about it.
I think they are probably trying not to do it today in case they have to do it tomorrow. If I had to choose, I’d take tomorrow no question.
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.
by Aquaman, Esq. on Feb 11, 2010 1:05 PM CST up reply actions
This is a good one.
rec
It is a great thing to know the season for speech and the season for silence.
--Seneca
Currently I'd place him probably 5th all time.
On the Ruth, Bonds, Williams, Mays and Cobb tier. Anyone wants to put him higher than anyone else on that list and I can deal.
I'd add Aaron and Gehrig to that tier.
No doubt Wagner belongs there.
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
I love Gehrig, but I really don't have him close to that tier.
Close on the list, like only for or five spots back, but not close to being arguably as good or better than any of them.
Aaron maaaayyybe. I wouldn’t put up a fight.
I divide tiers mostly by players I think I could put in just about any order.
So that tier is the “I could accept someone calling him the best player ever” tier. I definitely can’t do that with Gehrig, and I seriously doubt I could with Aaron. But, at the same time, I’m not sure I could put Cobb that clearly ahead of Aaron.
Irrelevant?
He only started 5 career games at SS.
"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 know - I'm just talking MI defense
"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.
Of course
But I don’t think the comp is totally apt, as SS is a more premium position.
"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 agree
Only glaring difference is Alomar’s age 20 OPS+ was 105, whereas Andrus’ was 82.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Feb 11, 2010 9:53 AM CST up reply actions
Alomar also rung up an OPS of .797 in AA
as a 19 year old so he may have been a little more advanced as an offensive player but if Tiny E is 90% of what Robby Alomar was an offensive player, that’s okay.
"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)
yeah
I think we’d all take that right now if we could.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Feb 11, 2010 10:01 AM CST up reply actions
I could live with his 2nd half, and like it
280/.342/.395/.737
"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.
x
I agree that “sophomore slump” certainly SEEMS like an overused term. Can anybody point me to an article that either confirms or denies the validity of this concept?
meta-signature
I hear they're doing wonderful things with that Google Machine these days
I kid, I kid.
"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
a lot of times its referring to a rookie that has an exceptional season
and then regressed to the mean. Meaning it was not necessarily a ‘slump’, rather a statistical likelihood that he reverted back to his average level of play.
"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
A prediction:
Nothing bold or anything..
Derek Holland absolutely cleans up in Spring Training and claims one of the last spots early in camp.
But he needs more time!!!!! OPTIONS!!!
by TooLegitToQuit on Feb 11, 2010 9:58 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
yes, options
we have ’em and he has ’em. Bmac is a solid option at #5 (what else are we going to do with him?), Holland has options left and can go work on his game in AAA.
"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
He's the best pitcher of any of the rotation candidates
Morality you can fake. Fun you either have or you don't.
Tommy Hunter
is not the 4th best starter in this organization. I hope i’m wrong but I think his ERA stays north of 5.
I was a Ranger fan when being a Rangers fan wasn't cool.
Holland has a total of 30 IPs
above A ball. It wouldn’t kill his development to go kick ass for a couple of months and come up in June.
"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 Feb 11, 2010 10:02 AM CST up reply actions
Should have written
that he had a total of 30 IPs above A ball before getting to The Show.
"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 Feb 11, 2010 10:12 AM CST up reply actions
Couldn't disagree more with this:
Tommy Hunter is not the 4th best starter in this organization. I hope i’m wrong but I think his ERA stays north of 5.
Trust me, you’re wrong. I think Feliz and Holland could jump over him eventually. They need more experience and polish before I slot them against Hunter.
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
yeah, that Hunter
is one grizzled vet. I don’t quite get what you’re saying… are you suggesting that Hunter is the better pitcher right now than Holland or Feliz?
by elvis1isking on Feb 11, 2010 12:01 PM CST up reply actions
Right now.....yes
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
A lucky year last year
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
by Kinslerhomer on Feb 11, 2010 12:06 PM CST up reply actions
If Hunter has a sub-5 ERA next season...
I will be pleasantly surprised. I get a Matt Harrison vibe from him.
Really?
Not me at all. Harrison just seems so lost out there. Seems like guys are constantly hitting balls hard off of him. Plus he seems so timid and scared all the time…and he cried when he got some shaving cream in his eye…..Tommy Hunter wouldv’e JUDO kicked the hell out of whomever stuck that pie in his face and turned into the incredible hulk.
Eh...
I guess I’m just not fond of overweight pitchers. I want him to kick shit next season, but I’m going to be cautious in any optimism I have regarding him.
He doesn't strike me as an overweight pitcher that is just a fat slob though.
He seems like he’s just a naturally big dude but he’s in relatively good shape. Plus it seems like he gets a lot of weakly hit balls when he pitches.
I wouldn't characterize Hunter as overweight right now
Maybe as he gets older he turns overweight but right now he looks like a stocky guy but he carries himself well
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Yeah I suppose you're right.
I really have no reason to doubt him, there’s just a weird vibe I get from him.
Ahhh. The grit and toughness stat.
Trumps all.
"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.
nah
Hunter’s curve is better than anything Harrison offers up. A lower to mid 4 ERA from Hunter isn’t unreasonable to expect at all. He’s a solid MORP and nice young pitcher to have in the fold.
That being said, his ability and talent isn’t anywhere near Holland or Feliz. I don’t get the “better pitcher” statement above.
by elvis1isking on Feb 11, 2010 12:14 PM CST up reply actions
How was it lucky?
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Well
I guess as he faded in September his ERA got closer to his FIP but he did only have a 5.14 K/9 last year with a 4.79 xFIP and 4.84 tERA so meh.
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
by Kinslerhomer on Feb 11, 2010 12:22 PM CST up reply actions
Well as Feldman showed you don't have to K a huge number of guys to be successful
And like Feldman, Hunters improvement can be largely attributed to the cutter he started using and got good at. I think Hunter has the ability to K more with his curveball and hopefully this season he will use that more to get more Ks but if he can keep inducing weak contact, which the cutter should allow him to do, then he will continue being successful
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Its not so lucky to say his season was a fluke
Guys who don’t strike out alot of people should generally have lower BABIP since they have more balls put into play.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Assuming two guys give up the same amount of hits
The guy who strikes out more will have a higher BABIP than the other.
Hunter gave up a hit per inning last year which I would think is around average. So since he doesn’t strikeout a ton of guys he has more balls put into play. I don’t have time to go through the entire league and look at guys K/9 and their BABIP and how they relate but thats my general theory
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Why do you assume the two would give up the same # of hits?
"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.
To only have one variable in play.
Strictly an academic exercise.
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.
by Aquaman, Esq. on Feb 11, 2010 1:11 PM CST up reply actions
It's dumb
The argument is that guys with lower Ks also have lower BABIP. This does nothing to support or refute that.
It’s like saying if two pitchers have the same number of IP, the one who gives up more earned runs will have a higher ERA.
"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.
Yup.
The point of BABIP is that as true as almost anything in baseball can be it’s true that BABIP will regress to around .300. If two players are giving up the same amount of hits and one of them is striking out less and yet maintaining a lower BABIP, guess what: he’s probably going to give up more hits more often as the sample size gets larger.
One comment on that
I thought to myself “who was a great pitcher but not overpowering?” Greg Maddux’s career BABIP was .286. Truly great pitchers do have some control of how hard they’re hit. Just like great line drive hitters have consistently higher BABIP.
"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.
Yeah, it's some control.
But it should tell you how little when Greg Maddux is only .286. Average can be close to .290 at times.
Hitters, btw, have quite a bit more control over their BABIP than pitchers. Once they have an established sample size, a hitter who’s had a decent career well above the average shouldn’t be expected to fall to average. Pitchers should always be expected to be around .300.
And, no, Hunter wasn’t extremely lucky by BABIP in ’09, but if someone asks you “how was he lucky?” it is a way that he was.
It's worth adding
that the fact Maddux posted a career BABiP of .286 doesn’t mean there wasn’t luck involved, as well as skill.
If you get hurt and miss work,
It won’t hurt to miss work.
"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.
And they give you cash,
which is just as good as money.
"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.
I didn't say his season was a fluke.
I pointed out a reason he was lucky. And a .284 was lucky, low K numbers or not.
It might interest you to find out that of the 30 lowest BABIP rates among qualified pitchers in 2009, 14 had a higher K/9 than average and 3 more were less than half a SO below average. Of the 30 lowest K/9 rates, eight had higher BABIPs than average and 10 were .290 or higher.
Where did you find this info
Id like to see the names of the guys with high K/9 and low BABIP. I imagine they include guys we consider aces which I don’t think anyone here is claiming Hunter to be.
Also I would imagine Feldman is on that list since his BABIP was lower than Hunters
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
If we consider people aces for their controlling of a variable that's mostly luck. . .
. . . we need to stop considering them aces.
Also, everything can be found at FanGraphs. You know that. I hope.
Based on the fact he knows how to get ML hitters out
He made huge strides this past year and he looked like he had figured things out. He doesn’t have the ceiling of Feliz or Holland but right now and for the 2010 season I think he will be the better pitcher
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
better in what way
Are we talking better ERA? More wins? Better SO/BB ratio?
I’ll take the apparently unpopular position that Derek Holland is our best “young” pitcher for 2010 no matter how the guys are judged. I think Dutch takes a HUGE leap this season. A “run it up, leave no doubt” kind of season.
by elvis1isking on Feb 11, 2010 12:20 PM CST up reply actions
I share your thoughts on Holland.
He had some rough starts last year, but when he was ON he was so much fun to watch. He’ll hit some bumps this year, but I feel as though he goes sub-5 ERA.
Hunter will do more to help the team win next year
Ill just leave it at that because if I say ERA people will jump down my ass because its such an archaic stat.
I don’t believe Holland will take the huge leap some think. I think he will improve the most by spending at least a couple months in AAA much like Hunter did last year. If Holland spent all year in the rotation next year I would expect a ERA in the 5.00-5.20 range
Long term there is no argument that Holland has much more upside than Hunter. But for next year Hunter is still going to be the better pitcher IMO
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
I'm a big believer
in the “success at every level” mantra regarding prospects.
The reality is, though, that guys with dominant stuff like Holland can fight through their ML bumps.
Holland knows he’s got the goods, and he knows locating his fastball and mixing his pitches better are his keys to success. I get the thought of letting him work on these things more in AAA, but I just don’t think it is as necessary for guys with Holland’s ability as it is for guys with Hunter’s.
by elvis1isking on Feb 11, 2010 12:29 PM CST up reply actions
Holland has 30 minor league innings above A ball
Hunter was a college draftee from a big conference program who flew through the minors also. He got rocked his first stint in the majors and went back last year for about 3 months before coming up and was pretty damn good.
Holland got rocked last year without much minor league success in the upper levels to build off of. Could he hang being up in the majors all year…yeah sure. But would he be better served going to OKC for a couple months and dominating while also refining his approach to pitching and working on the little things that he learned he needed to work on last year. I believe not only he would be better off but the team would be better off.
Id rather Holland go down to OKC and come up and dominate rather than tread water at the ML level all year
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
is learning
restrictive only to the minors? Holland can’t learn at the big level too?
I think Holland’s year to cook in AAA was last season. I don’t see the point in sending him down to start the year after going ~140 big league innings last season. If he struggles his first few starts, sure send him down at that point; but I’m assuming Holland learned quite a bit about getting major league hitters out last season.
by elvis1isking on Feb 11, 2010 12:41 PM CST up reply actions
should be
restricted, not restrictive.
by elvis1isking on Feb 11, 2010 12:42 PM CST up reply actions
In a year when we are supposed to be competing for the division
I would rather let a guy like Holland iron out some of the small things in the minors where if he struggles it doesn’t affect the ML teams W/L record.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Probably
But this conversation started when someone said something about Hunter not being better than Holland. I agree long term but for next year I don’t think Holland will be better.
Personally I believe both Hunter and McCarthy will be better than Holland next year. Again this isn’t long term but only for next year.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
what happens when
Hunter struggles? He’s just a kid too, and has 1 decent year as a MORP under his belt and doesn’t have the stuff Holland (or Feliz) has.
In a season where we are supposed to be competing for the division, relying on kids is dicey no matter what, and not going with your most talented pitchers doesn’t seem like a good recipe to me. If I were going to choose the pitcher out of our little grop that has the better chance of leading the charge to the division, Holland has to be the kid. His stuff is just much better than Hunter’s.
by elvis1isking on Feb 11, 2010 12:46 PM CST up reply actions
Hunters had success at the ML level
Holland hasn’t. So thats one reason he gets the nod over Holland for next year. If you have to go with a kid I would rather go with the one who you’ve seen have sustained success over the one who has only flashed brilliance but otherwise was not very good
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
not sure one year
is “sustaining” anything.
I get what you’re saying, and I too think Hunter belongs in the rotation.
I’m not sure anything about last season’s success for Hunter or struggles for Holland prove in any way that Hunter is the better pitcher — right now or otherwise. Holland has better stuff and a higher ceiling. Hunter is young enough that there is still a good deal of variance to what we can “expect” from him and making a determination of who helps most off of one year of results seems a bit risky to me. I’d rather go with the more talented pitcher, and Holland is that by a long shot.
by elvis1isking on Feb 11, 2010 12:58 PM CST up reply actions
I think you have Holland blinders on
Nothing really wrong with that but for you to say if it came down to Holland or Hunter for the #5 spot based on what each has done I don’t see how you can go with Holland over Hunter regardless of their ceilings
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Hunter's last season
Using 2009 results for Hunter and expecting them to continue is probably unrealistic and too optimistic. I think you’re blinded too much by Hunter’s results for a single season rather than looking at the actual ability and ceiling of the pitchers.
If Hunter had been doing for 3 seasons what he did last season, and Holland had been doing for 3 seasons what he did in 2009, then I’d agree with you. Basically, they’re both young pitchers and there’s not much historical results at the big league level to look at. So, given that, you look at talent, and Holland surpasses Hunter in that category.
by elvis1isking on Feb 11, 2010 1:13 PM CST up reply actions
Like I said
If we weren’t in win now mode I would go with Holland no questions asked.
But given we are going to try and win next year you have to go with the more known commodity. Hunters minor league numbers were very similar to what he did last year in the majors. Its not like Hunter was a minor league scrub who came out of nowhere last year.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
guess you're idea
of “known” over mine is different.
I don’t see how Hunter is more known to be productive at the big league level because of half a season.
Does Harrison’s 2008 mean he’s a better bet than Holland?
by elvis1isking on Feb 11, 2010 1:27 PM CST up reply actions
one more thing
I think the post above about Holland vs Hunter or Holland vs McCarthy is a valid question.
I’d rather go with Holland and Hunter and move McCarthy to the pen, but that’s just me.
by elvis1isking on Feb 11, 2010 1:14 PM CST up reply actions
Yup
If the rangers just needed someone to be replacement level in the 5 spot and had no other option, Holland would be fine. But I don’t think that’s what they’re looking for this year.
Holland will get his time in the bigs this year, be it a mid-season callup and possible early spot starts.
"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.
replacement level?!?
really? Holland was above replacement level last season — even while “struggling.”
He’s not Fernando Rodney for cryin’ out loud. :)
by elvis1isking on Feb 11, 2010 1:15 PM CST up reply actions
Sucks to be Fernando Rodney right now.
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.
by Aquaman, Esq. on Feb 11, 2010 1:18 PM CST up reply actions
sucks to be an Angels fan more
have to give the guys over on Halos Heaven some credit though. A large collection has actually convinced themselves that the signing was a good move.
That had to have taken “suspension of reality” of the highest level.
by elvis1isking on Feb 11, 2010 1:22 PM CST up reply actions
Can't find VORP right now
Holland = 1.1 WAR, 5.1 FIP and 76 ERA+
Hunter = 1.8 WAR, 4.4 FIP and 113 ERA+
Who do you want to start next season with? I’m not saying Holland won’t probably have the better career but in April, 2010 who do you want?
"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.
Holland was up all season
Hunter was only up from the end of June on
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
both
but Holland has the better chance to improve on those numbers.
by elvis1isking on Feb 11, 2010 1:37 PM CST up reply actions
sure, in the long run
but that’s part of Wyo’s point, I assume.
and to say the Holland’s potential for improvement is larger is pretty shortsighted and naive if you only base it on that sample of numbers above. Improvements based on percentage of different starting points is pretty unfair to compare
by kevinkinsler on Feb 11, 2010 1:41 PM CST up reply actions
not just "the long run"
but for next season as well.
Basically, CHONE and Fangraphs have Hunter projected as the same as last season. Good. We need that.
They both have Holland dramatically improving over his numbers from last season, and also being better than Hunter (slightly).
Not sure why you guys don’t think Holland can or will improve. 140 innings at the big league level is a great learning experience. His make up is undeniable, and his stuff plays at this level (as shown by is SO/BB ratio). He knows what he needs to work on, and his make up is such that it’s a pretty good bet he’ll work to improve his location and will listen to his coach on pitch selection.
Holland is more likely to improve in 2010 than Hunter.
by elvis1isking on Feb 11, 2010 1:45 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe
But he should start making his improvements in AAA at the beginning of the season. Hunter has indicated he worked his kinks out at the majors while Holland has not. I don’t need someone trying to figure things out in the majors at the start of the season.
"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.
I'm fine with Hunter at #4. . .
. . . but I’m far more comfortable with Holland at #5 than I am with Glass Joe.
unecessary move
and it costs the Rangers putting one of their more talented players on the big league roster.
Start the season with your most talented pitchers. If Holland struggles, he can always bee sent down. Same with Hunter for that matter.
And again, it isn’t about Holland or Hunter. It is possible to have them both in the rotation.
by elvis1isking on Feb 11, 2010 2:01 PM CST up reply actions
I have no desire to argue about Holland vs. Hunter
I think they both will have their roles in the rotation, and I don’t think they specifically will have to go head-to-head for a spot out of Spring Training. I think they have mutually exclusive situations.
I never said Holland won’t improve, I expect him to. I expect all of our guys to improve.
by kevinkinsler on Feb 11, 2010 2:03 PM CST up reply actions
not trying to argue either
but what I’ve read so far is that because Hunter was better in half a season than Holland was, he deserves the nod.
My point is that half a season is hardly enough to make such a judgement, and without enough big league time it seems to make sense to go with whoever is more talented. I haven’t seen anything or anyone suggest that they think or why they think Hunter is better — other than the original comment I replied to. The rest of this is “Hunter was better in 15 games than Holland was in 30, so he should get the nod.” I’d rather go with the better pitcher. And I’d rather go with Hunter over McCarthy for that matter because I think Hunter is better, though it is close with McCarthy rediscovering his curve.
by elvis1isking on Feb 11, 2010 2:11 PM CST up reply actions
CHONE
likes Holland more, FWIW.
As does Fangraphs.
It’s a slight difference though
by elvis1isking on Feb 11, 2010 1:40 PM CST up reply actions
Fangraphs what?
Is that just CHONE twice or every single projection that FG is listing?
Yes, I could look this up myself. Especially with Fangraphs open in another tab with Tommy Hunter’s page.
But I won’t.
sorry
should have been more clear.
Fangraphs projects Holland as a 2.2 WAR player in 2010 and Hunter as a 1.9 WAR player. Essentially the same, but Holland is (ever so slightly) projected better.
by elvis1isking on Feb 11, 2010 1:51 PM CST up reply actions
This might just be me
but I almost feel as though our rotation is teetering on the brink of total disaster. Anyone else feel that?
What makes you say that?
Is it the injury/uncertainty situation of so many guys?
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Well if thats the case then you could also say we are teetering on the brink of dominance
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
I don't trust our starting pitching...
but I guess that’s just from years of being a fan of the Texas Rangers.
I see these risks:
Injuries: Harden, McCarthy
Flukes: Hunter, Feldman (probably unwarranted though)
No progress: Harrison, Holland
Still sucks: Lewis
Did I mention that I'm
skeptical about Cobra Lewis?
"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 Feb 11, 2010 12:56 PM CST up reply actions
You have every reason to be...
I am too.
I’m rooting for him, but I’m not convinced he’s going to be any good.
DO NOT DOUBT THE COBRA!
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.
by Aquaman, Esq. on Feb 11, 2010 12:59 PM CST up reply actions
No - "every" reason doesn't point to skepticism
The numbers he put up in Japan provide ample reason to think he’ll succeed.
"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.
Kinda but not really
I’ve thought what if Harden, McCarthy and FX2 aren’t healthy, O’Day and CJ and Hunter regress, Oliver pitches like he’s 38, etc.
But normally I’m always thinking if the top 4 stay healthy and we get replacement level out of the 5th we’ll be OK. Not this year.
Not everything will go wrong and not everything right but they have such depth that I think they can roll with the punches. Plus the fact so many young guys got some experience last year I feel better than normal.
"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.
Stays North of 5?
You mean moves North of 5? I don’t have his #‘s in front of me and I’m too lazy to look, but I’m pretty certain he was under 5 last year wasn’t he? I’m going to have to disagree with you.
4.10
But that .284 BABIP was surely luck-driven.
"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.
Perhaps
But like I said…just watching Harrison seems like he’s constantly allowing line drives and watching Hunter with his cutter, seemed like he was frequently getting a large amount of very weakly hit balls. I’ll take the under on a 5 run ERA.
.284
isn’t exactly extreme, but I don’t expect Hunter to consistently post an ERA in the 4.10 range. I don’t see 4.50 as an unreasonable expectation, though,
Freude, schoener Goetterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische dein Heiligtum.
Not extreme, no
And actually in line with his career norms…maybe he can be “that guy”, who knows.
"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.
His career BABIP in the minors is .309
which is inflated by a .341 BABIP in OKC last year. Its not a stretch to imagine with ML defenders behind him and ML quality fields that it would drop a little
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
It's possible Hunter will be a rare pitcher who can consistently have a BABIP below average.
You really honestly can’t expect that, can you?!
It may rise to the mid .290s sure
But I don’t think its gonna have a big swing and be in the .310s.
His repetoire (mainly the cutter) along with his nice curve should allow him to be a .290 BABIP throughout his career.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
I don't think anyone thinks it's going to be in the .310s.
That’s going from lucky to unlucky. People are expecting him to go from lucky to normal.
The list of guys with low BABIP is littered with guy who throw the cutter
That seems to be a pitch that allows guys to maintain a low BABIP. Sure there will be spikes but looking at the list of guys who throw cutters alot they mostly seem to be able to maintain a mid290s BABIP
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
partly
the BABIP has to do with a higher fly ball rate; I recall flyball pitchers tend to have a lower babip than groundballers since fly balls are turned into outs more often
and it doesn't help that fly balls tend to turn into homeruns
a bazillion times more than ground balls, affecting the amount of flyballs which actually stay in play.
Granted, fly ball outs are used for the ratio, but the meaning of the rate can be more important than the actual rate
by kevinkinsler on Feb 11, 2010 2:52 PM CST up reply actions
YOU <==
.——————————————————————————————————————————> the point
OT: Anyone going to the NBA All-Star game at Jerryworld?
Is anyone even going to watch the game on TV?
"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
All-Star Game
I’ll watch the skills competition and the dunk contest. No point in watching the actual game.
dunk contest
the game is just an extension of the dunk contest.
by elvis1isking on Feb 11, 2010 12:49 PM CST up reply actions
Im watching it on TV
Im very happy it is being held there and not at the AAC. The AAC is about 1.5 miles from where i live and i would hate all that traffic. Im looking forward to all of the crap going in Dallas this weekend. I dont care to run into any of the players’ posses.
"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 Feb 11, 2010 10:47 AM CST up reply actions
To say nothing of the
100,00 hookers that’ll be running around
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!
Holy crap
My question is how many LSB posters rescheduled their weekend plans after learning that tidbit of information.
"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
Rough guess - 99,983
"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
No soul brother. Too bookoo!
/Full Metal Jacket
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!
So,
You’re sayin’ there’s a chance???
"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.
So classes are letting out early at my district
I knew this morning that classes would be cut short b/c of this snow… and now we have the utter chaos of dismissing kids at 2pm. And they’ve canceled school tomorrow already. Fun times.
Grieve: The Yanks have struggled so far. - Lewin: Yeah, cry me a bag of money.
ElectricOkra.com
Keller
Grieve: The Yanks have struggled so far. - Lewin: Yeah, cry me a bag of money.
ElectricOkra.com
Reasons why the Rangers might bumble
And does anyone besides Ryan and Manager Ron Washington have confidence in any Texas starters beyond Scott Feldman and newcomer Rich Harden, he of the great arm but fragile health?
We looked at these factors, and more, and reached the conclusion the Angels have nothing to fear from Texas in 2010. As usual.
http://www.ocregister.com/sports/rangers-233549-texas-ryan.html
by GregoryM on Feb 11, 2010 12:35 PM CST reply actions
Not that interesting or remotely informative and you sure as hell didn't reach a "conclusion"
“Will Andrus keep playing well without Omar? Who knows?”
“Is Borbon very good? Beats me”
“Will Vlad put up his #s without facing Rangers’ pitching? No clue”
"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.
Listen.
That article sucks.
Carry on.
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.
by Aquaman, Esq. on Feb 11, 2010 12:56 PM CST up reply actions
I like where this post is headed
but ‘sucks’ doesn’t begin to convey how Earth-shakingly terrible that article was.
I recommend, instead of reading it, everyone hit themselves in the mouth with a hammer while simultaneously watching Dane Cook and Joe Morgan. Then set your penis on fire. Then imagine being Rev Halofan for a few moments.
If you survive, you’ll feel like I do after reading that.
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!
Damn glad I didn't click the link!!!
"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.
Any article
that has the phrase “will miss Hank Blalock” makes me spit diet Coke out my nose even when I’m not drinking one
This is what popped into my head when I read that article:
“Mr. Madison, what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”
Thank you Billy Madison
"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.
Pure greatness
Great set up also. The real dramatic music, the hushed audience, the expectation that Billy just saved the day, and then boom, that comedic gold delivered to the side of your head…
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Feb 11, 2010 1:09 PM CST up reply actions
A simple no would have done just fine.
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.
by Aquaman, Esq. on Feb 11, 2010 1:10 PM CST up reply actions
I love the Madison version.
Will did a similar scene in Old School except he actually does save the day. Not as funny IMO.
"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.
Fire your editor
There is no question the Texas Rangers will take a step forward when Tom Hicks’ sale of the franchise to Chuck Greenberg’s group.
But will the Rangers be an ballclub in 2010, without Kevin Millwood, without Marlon Byrd?
If he claimed that he passed English 101 on his resume, he’s lying.
Objection, your honor: Using wins to evaluate pitching talent
When John Lackey went to Boston, folks assumed the Angels stepped down a notch without their ace. When the Rangers traded theirs, Kevin Millwood, to Baltimore for a reliever with a 7.27 ERA, surprisingly there was no similar reaction. Millwood won 13 games in 2009, two more than Lackey in ’09, and two more than Rich Harden has ever won in one season.
And can we please get away from that Nolan Ryan picture? It’s terrible.
meta-signature
Sustained
There is certainly a valid argument to make about the quantity and quality of the innings contributed by Millwood last season, and whether the staff this year can provide an equivalent (or hopefully better) contribution in his absence. However, if this is the argument which the author is trying to make, then it is hard to imagine a poorer way to state it.
Here's my issue with that "point"
When John Lackey went to Boston, folks assumed the Angels stepped down a notch without their ace.
I have no ideea what “folks” assumed, but I do know the Angels won the division last year without their “ace” – so what’s he trying to prove? That Rangers will win the division now? That seems to be what he’s saying but that goes against his entire stupid column. F’n idiot.
"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.
Five inches of snow on the ground here and SMU still won't close up shop for the night.
COME ON, SMU! DON’T BE THAT SCHOOL!
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.
That's what you get
for going to SMU. They are always “that school” as long as “that school” is used in a negative connotation… :)
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Feb 11, 2010 1:04 PM CST up reply actions
Solid point.
I am nodding my head in agreement right now.
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.
by Aquaman, Esq. on Feb 11, 2010 1:06 PM CST up reply actions
I kid, I kid
I know their law school’s reputation is top notch
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Feb 11, 2010 1:07 PM CST up reply actions
Based on the actions of the Administration, you'd think it was higher than it is.
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.
by Aquaman, Esq. on Feb 11, 2010 1:19 PM CST up reply actions
Booya! SMU closed from now until noon tomorrow!
Can anyone say four day weekend?
Oh wait, I have to work. Crap. But at least I don’t have to sit in class.
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.
by Aquaman, Esq. on Feb 11, 2010 2:08 PM CST up reply actions
OT
At BtB, Steve Sommer put together a playoff odds probability simulation using PECOTA.
It has the Rangers as 50/50 to make the playoffs. 47% to win the division.
God I wish PECOTA hadn’t had such an awful year in ’09 right now.
Ha, I feel your pain...
"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.
Time for the Easily Offended
to turn their radios on and see if Ian Kinsler gives them another reason to bitch.
Next segment on BAD Radio (no word if they’ll talk about the "fern bit).
"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)
Just run the same prob sim using Chone
Freude, schoener Goetterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische dein Heiligtum.
Settle down, there, laughing boy
I have more confidence in the team than I do in the projections.
Freude, schoener Goetterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische dein Heiligtum.
One segment down
and Ian still seems sincere and genuine although I’m sure some LSB dumbass will whine differently.
"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 hate when you put up pictures of Elvis doing sexy poses
gets me all riled up in the middle of the day
But at least you are at home today
So you can,,uh, ‘fix’ your problem, right?
"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.
that ain't sexy
It looks like Elvis is tooting on Ichiro.
It's baseball. You don't always get what you want, and you don't always want what you get. --Ed Coffin
So, who's googling 'Brazilian fart porn' and following the link back here for the next time Adam checks what searches have brought people here?
Raises hand
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!
Tee-hee
I am now…
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"When you have a weapon on your shoulder like he has, you can be cool." RW on Perez
And the little bastard threw it for a swinging strike three in a 3-2 count. He’s blessed. And ballsy.
ESPN sportsnation poll
asked when you report as a baseball fan and the earliest option was with pitchers and catchers, sooo i couldn’t even answer honesltly, cuz they didn’t have an option for ‘at birth’
Only ESPN would fail to realize true baseball nuts are on duty all-year round
Even when there’s nothing better to do than make facebook fanpages and debate confederate flags.
Morality you can fake. Fun you either have or you don't.
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