Wednesday a.m. Rangers stuff
by Adam J. Morris on Feb 3, 2010 8:15 AM CST
276 comments
The meeting with the Hicks Sports Group creditors regarding the sale of the team was held yesterday, and Maury Brown says that there was "nothing remarkable" in the meeting, and nothing that looked like it would kill the deal. That is, obviously, good news.
T.R. Sullivan has a new mailbag column up.
And Richard Durrett has a Q&A with Chris Davis at the ESPN Dallas Rangers blog.
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I suppose 3 questions is the limit
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
Durrett must've pulled a Laird on someone's wife or something.
They hate him.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
Didn't he do all the interviews in 1 day
and release them slowly. I thought that’s what he said prior to the 1st one.
I think so
and he’s being respectful of their time by doing quick shots. These aren’t meant to be feature-length articles.
Freude, schoener Goetterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische dein Heiligtum.
There seems to be a theme with a lot of these hitters
“using all fields…I know I can hit home runs [but] the big thing is to make contact…hit it where it’s pitched”
While I’d like to believe he’s learned something new, I’m beginning to think that this is a mantra that all young and struggling hitters repeat and then soon forget about once they have some success.
Davis
I couldn’t have hoped for more than what he said. Here is to a solid year and a great start in 2010.
"Purity of heart is to will one thing" - Kierkegaard
agreed
…I think last year it got real up and down, like an uppercut swing…
I can think of someone else on this team who needs to work on this…
"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
oh oh oh
can i guess? haha
Seriously, it is remarkable that Kinsler seems to have such an uppercut swing yet he is still a good hitter. This is why I think Borbon’s success is so crucial to this team. Kinsler IS a good hitter but i think he is best utilized somewhere other than the leadoff spot. I hope Borbon does well so Wash isnt tempted to move Kinsler back to the leadoff spot.
"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
I can not agree with this more.
AGREE AGREE AGREE AGREE AGREE
"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.
Kins was totally out of his element in the lead off spot
he forced things to much instead of letting things come to him… a move down would do wonders for his approach i think
"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
Just lay off the inside curveball too please.
"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball." - Terence Mann
I hope that
Chuck Morgan dresses up all the players and performs the stage version of the Who’s Tommy on the field before each game.
Seriously, I don’t know which is worse… the people who write the questions or TR for picking the worst. Does he just want to expose our fan base as complete idiots?
Shouldn't it be more of a reflection on TR based on what questions he picks?
It’s like the ESPN chat moderators. Maybe the moderator really does think that the Rangers problem last year was they relied on the home run ball and that they just need to get them some pitching in here! There are idiots everywhere. TR’s filter is obviously not something to envy.
Like a nightmare...
…on the right, one of the “Related FanPosts on Lone Star Ball” is “Josey, Hank and Davis” by Adam J. Morris. Note: this is not bait. I really think revisiting that discussion is a nightmare.
That was some funny stuff
everyone trying their hardest to slay the dragon while he just continued to shoot flames out of his nose in every direction…
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Feb 3, 2010 9:40 AM CST up reply actions
What really made the hair
stand up on everybody’s neck is how correct I was on this particular issue.
It was a problem that I identified early, really began to surface in late May, was The Elephant in The Room in June ("but Crush plays such great defense) when the Rangers had one of their least productive offensive months in history and just when it looked why we were going to have a fun summer post July 6, Little Boy Donuts couldn’t resist himself even though the team was in a 28-19 streak and giving the Red Sox all they could handle.
Three weeks later we were out of contention and the whole thing was punctuated by a humiliating one run in 5 game streak.
The thread is filled “I can’t believe he nailed it” angst.
"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)
Costa Rica my man, go to Costa Rica.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
I want to.
Mostly, I want to learn how to surf….like I want to learn very badly. No surfing in Jamaica; hardly any waves there at all.
Tamarindo is a big surfing community there, it's kinda touristy bc of it...
but it’s pretty cool…everyone surfs all day and then parties all night.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
Like i said below, the wife and i got private surfing lessons in tamarindo
and it was amazing! and really cheap. Was some of the most fun (and exercise) ive ever had!
Elvis has "shook up" Arlington!!
Yeah, I've heard good things.
Want to go so bad. I’ve been to Jamaica, and though I loved it, there are a lot of beaches I have never been to – like any in Costa Rica.
In other OT news
ESPN loves A&M’s class this year.
by brettgardner on Feb 3, 2010 11:13 AM CST up reply actions
First time for the Aggies
in the top 25 in quite awhile…
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Feb 3, 2010 11:15 AM CST up reply actions
Fran had some highly ranked classes...
….depending on the source you looked at some were top 25. The problem is there were a lot of grade risks and JUCO transfers…never worked out. Obviously.
I hate goddamn Dennis Franchione so goddamn much.
The knock on Fran was...
…that he recruited based on the Rivals rankings and stuff like that, rather than by him and his staff watching film and watching the players.
So they got recruits that the recruiting services liked, but which other schools weren’t that high on, or that weren’t good fits for what A&M was doing.
by Adam J. Morris on Feb 3, 2010 11:19 AM CST up reply actions
I can't believe that's true.
I mean, you might hear about out-of-state guys through scouting services, but to actively recruit based solely on that seems unbelievable.
by brettgardner on Feb 3, 2010 11:22 AM CST up reply actions
Who knows WTF Franchione was doing.
That guy and Bill Byrne ruined a program all by themselves. Now we have Mike Sherman and 10 wins in 25 games. Whoopie.
Every major football program
has accounts with the scouting services. They can’t simply be aware of, and see all these kids on their own.
I have a friend who was a recruiting GA at ASU, and he said part of his job was to scan the Rivals and Scout pages a few times a day.
Now, it’s not like they said, “we’re only going to recruit the top 100 rivals commits” or whatever. But, all schools rely heavily on that stuff.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Feb 3, 2010 12:25 PM CST up reply actions
I'm just telling you...
…what I’ve heard pretty widely down here. That Fran (and the staff) didn’t put in the time and effort to find guys that the other schools did, and that’s why, despite having (on paper) great recruiting classes, the talent wasn’t there.
by Adam J. Morris on Feb 3, 2010 2:08 PM CST up reply actions
Recruiting services
are a good tool but hardly reliable. They rely too much on film provided by the athletes and their schools. A good coach can make a kid look like a stud based on a 20-30 play highlight film.
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Feb 3, 2010 11:24 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah, this isn't true.
Top 10 in ’03, ’04, and ’05. Top 20 in ’08 and ’09.
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.
I meant
on the field performance. I don’t really care about recruiting class ranks
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Feb 3, 2010 12:34 PM CST up reply actions
Had a WR decommit yesterday, I think.
That is only two decommits in two years for Sherman. That’s impressive, plus, we are pretty stacked at receivers.
Tommy T
Has had a couple of decommits, but Scotty Young and Scott Smith stayed, so I’m fine with it.
by brettgardner on Feb 3, 2010 11:20 AM CST up reply actions
Scotty Young
was damn good. If Ryan would have played him as a sophomore instead of the athletic running QB, they would have had a chance to win a playoff game or 4 that year…
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Feb 3, 2010 11:22 AM CST up reply actions
decommit
What a bizarre word… Kind of turns the whole concept on its head.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Feb 3, 2010 11:51 AM CST up reply actions
Some hosses on that line
How's that game gonna help your putting?
by Lee Carvallo's Putting Challenge on Feb 3, 2010 11:21 AM CST up reply actions
With Dixon finishing off the class...
Baylor pulls down a No. 41 ranking from Rivals. I really wanted them to break 50 this year, this is just icing on the cake. I’m most excited about the number of D-line prospects.
It’s crazy to think, but BU is turning into a legit Big 12 football program. Woohoo!
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
It really is a shame Griffin went down last year
Hopefully he comes back strong and yall can get to a bowl game 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.
yup
if Griffin was healthy, Baylor was the only game other than UO that I worried about for Texas, that kid got serious skills
You hear about the "Electric Arms", they're all the rage.
I think had Griffin been healthy it would have helped us out against A&M
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 Griffin had been healthy
my guess is they would have been at least a .500 team
You hear about the "Electric Arms", they're all the rage.
Easily
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.
after seeing what Johnson did to them in the last game
I think Griffin would have given Texas fits
You hear about the "Electric Arms", they're all the rage.
Yep
Although I don’t think Baylor would have beat Texas. But facing Griffin would have definitely made us more prepared to face Johnson
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.
100%
not facing a running threat all season seemed to be a huge disadvantage for the Longhorns defense when they met the Aggs; same way not facing a running threat was a disadvantage against f’n Bama
You hear about the "Electric Arms", they're all the rage.
Griffin != Johnson
Johnson is a much better passer, but Griffin is a much, much better runner.
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.
Agreed
But Johnsons ability to move is what gave Texas so many fits. Had he just been a pure drop back passer I think we would have handled him a hell of a lot better. But the scrambling aspect screwed us up. We hadn’t faced a QB with athleticism before Johnson. Had we faced Griffin I believe we would have been better prepared to contain his run while at the same time covering the receivers better
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.
yup
defense wasn’t used to having to stay in their lanes, we had been able to match up one on one, but when Johnson started taking off and using the read option, the D had no idea what to do and kept over pursuing
You hear about the "Electric Arms", they're all the rage.
Griffin really was everything for Baylor.
Obviously we knew that everything went through him as the star player and QB, but even the running game relied on his abilities to keep the defense honest. Nobody was more upset about losing RGIII than Jay Finley, that’s for sure.
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.
I've made that my mission this year
Not sure how good surfing is on the Texas coast, but I’m thinking of trying Corpus or something
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take"-Wayne Gretzky"-Michael Scott
by ReallyCreativeScreenName on Feb 3, 2010 12:20 PM CST up reply actions
I've heard this.
What about Puerto Rico vs Costa Rica?
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Feb 3, 2010 10:38 AM CST up reply actions
Costa Rica
I have been to both and loved Costa Rica. We took a canal tour by boat and saw some of the craziest wild life you can imagine. We walked around a couple of cities and found a baseball stadium where they play local games. We had a blast there.
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Feb 3, 2010 10:41 AM CST up reply actions
Only been to Costa Rica. If you go don't do the resorts, you can stay with families and it's a much better experience.
If you want to go that route let me know and I"ll give you some contacts.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
Costa Rica is just amazing
Wife and I went there on our honeymoon and if had any money, i would so buy some property down there. We stayed 4 days in the Arenal region (active volcano) at a private resort at the foot of the volcano. Did the zip line tours (saw monkeys everywhere) and horseback riding up to some of the most amazing waterfalls ever!! Then went over to the Guancaste region (north west coast) and it was like a movie. Amazing and beautiful cliffs that drop straight into the ocean. Went surfing in Tamarindo (some of the best surfing in the world they say). But the really the best part about CR was the people!! Some of the most genuine and down to earth people you will ever meet. Pura Vida man!!!
Check out "vacationscostarica(dot)com
Elvis has "shook up" Arlington!!
yep, we stayed in Guanacaste....Arenal volcano was sweet, we ate at the base of it.
The locals were funny, they found out I was from Texas and kept calling me J.R.
On our trip to Arenal we stopped at some small roadside cafe and saw a couple of American’s there who had obviously moved there. I was letting my imagination go wild thinking they were all fugitives who’d moved there to avoid some sort of prosecution. Which isn’t totally out of the ordinary from what I understand.
We will go back soon, awesome experience.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
the Bushwhackers
were my all-time favorite tag-team.
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
those guys
were crazy
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Feb 3, 2010 11:12 AM CST up reply actions
I preferred them
as the Sheepherders in the old NWA.
Vince and the WWF turned em into cartoon characters.
It’s Advil and beef in the Texas Rangers, you yankee bastard.
- Nolan Ryan
Except that
no one cares if Josey comes to bed or not.
It’s Advil and beef in the Texas Rangers, you yankee bastard.
- Nolan Ryan
Went to the Newberg thing last night and I can say with confidence...
…that Chuck Greenberg will be everyone’s love interest soon….if he isn’t already.
I don’t know what to do with an owner who appears to be a fan first.
These are very exciting times boys and girls.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
Awesome
how was that?
"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
Yeah
Give us a recap; I really wanted to go but I wasn’t available last night. I only live like 2 miles away, too.
I got there at 4pm and promptly started crushing pints of Shiner.
My recap would suck….
In all seriousness, Jake Krug fielded a bunch of questions we’ve heard and know the answers to. I really can’t remember anything that stood out.
Chuck (he said to call him Chuck, never call him Mr. Greenberg) had a pretty funny exchange with a fan. Someone asked where Chuck got the jacket he was wearing and he told everyone, then someone in the crowd complained that that store doesn’t ever have men’s sizes…Chuck said, “Are you saying I can’t wear men’s clothes?” (he’s not that big a dude.) The guy said, “Well they don’t have XXX-Large.” And Chuck said, “Well that’s an easy fix.” Everyone in the crowd started laughing and then Chuck figured out why….he got embarrassed and said, “No, no, no…that’s not what I meant, I meant it’s an easy fix by just ordering more…I didn’t mean that”
Was pretty funny.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
Krug
I asked him something…I didn’t notice any other quesions to him before the “who’s your favorite Ranger” question at the end.
The majority of it was questions to Michael Young.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Feb 3, 2010 11:58 AM CST up reply actions
Before Young arrived Krug got quite a few questions.
What was Krug’s answer to the “who’s your favorite Ranger” question?
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
Someone from back in the day
I cant remember tho
PM Productions - Song of the Week - Clip of the Week
"Heres the thing... I made that tape special for today, my special Monday morning tape for you, SPECIAL!
Well it's fucking Monday afternoon you should get out of bed earlier!"
John Cusack and Jack Black, High Fidelity
by PM Productions on Feb 3, 2010 12:17 PM CST up reply actions
Dean Palmer
I totally missed the earlier questions, got there during the auction (which had an incredible auction…whatever you call them, auction guy).
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Feb 3, 2010 6:07 PM CST up reply actions
Good times. I don't think anything was revealed that we haven't heard (someone correct me if I'm wrong)....
….Just seeing how down to earth our owner is was pretty cool. I think the community is going to embrace this guy big time.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
I got there late
but I got the impression from The Great Chuck Greenberg that he is out to make a splash with the fans immediately.
When he said last week that he saw the organization emulating both Philly & LAAA, I take him to mean operating the team the way the Phils do in terms of payroll and using the Arte Moreno/LAAA approach to wooing fans.
Chuck G is very impressive and one cannot imagine Tom Hicks interacting with the fans in a setting like that (especially now that he is passing out drunk in public- allegedly),
"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)
Has there every been a more exciting time to be a Rangers fan?
We seemingly have a great owner now, the JD and Nolan team are crushing it, we are coming off an 87 win season, our pitching and defense is very good, our farm system is amazing, etc. I mean i could go on….wow.
"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 3, 2010 10:14 AM CST up reply actions
I'm now cauitiously optimistic.
One of This Thing’s biggest hurdles is apparently going away.
We still have big issues that I’m not sure we can overcome if we really wanna become good but yeah, the clouds aren’t as dark as they were the last several years.
"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)
mid-80s? Would that be a sufficient payroll, do you think?
Nolan’s thinking they could get that high. I’m assuming he means it could be as early as midseason if the Rangers take on a big contract.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Gammons said last night the Twins
are going to have a $ 90 million payroll and that’s where the Cardinals & Astros are these days.
We need to have the capability to roll with a $ 100 million plus payroll (when it’s needed).
"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)
Eventually.
But I think that’s a little bit farther down the road once they can increase revenue streams. But considering how many teams sit over $100 million, I don’t see why the Rangers couldn’t get to that level at some point.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Feb 3, 2010 10:41 AM CST up reply actions
Having a payroll that high would be stupid right now
Too many pre-arb and early arb guys. That would be just spending money for the sake of spending money and would most likely lead to bad contracts that would hurt us down the road
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.
That's why I say
to spend it at the appropriate time.
When you identify your core and it appears like you have a great chance to win and the right free agent comes around, you pull the trigger and make a baseball decision.
"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)
ok. Nolan feels middle of the pack is where they'll settle.
I would prefer what you said, but perhaps a slightly conservative approach is needed to have sustainable success.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
"Wanna become good"
So we’re not even “good” yet? Why are we trying to “become good”? Wouldn’t we want to try to become Great? Or do you not think that’s possible with JD?
Come on man
"Big whoop, wanna fight about it?"
by lost in space on Feb 3, 2010 1:27 PM CST up reply actions
Perhaps, I really don't follow the Mavs though.
He’s similar to Cuban only by appearing to be a fan first.
He doesn’t appear to have the Cuban freak qualities.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
Cuban knew
that Job 1 when he got the keys from The Robotic Ross Perot Jr. was to do everything he could to get the crowd back. Cuban was very aggressive early on and it worked on several levels.
I’m not big on presence, charisma or “comfortable magnetism” (Jamey’s description of Tiny E) helping you win as much I am on actual production but as soon as Cuban became owner of the Mavs, the team gained immediate energy and you saw it on the court.
I don’t know if that can happen to a baseball team (the Angels nosedived under .500 in Moreno’s first year) but Tom Hicks was hated to such a degree and Chuck G is such the opposite, that I’m not going to dismiss the possibility of it happening with the Rangers.
"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)
It does seem that there is a similarity with the regime changes though
The buzz in town over Greenberg is strangely reminiscent of how people felt about Cuban back in ’99.
meta-signature
I'm already over the CG swoon.
You’re fan-friendly. I get it. Cut parking in half, pay out some draft bonuses and fund some trade deadline help. Do that and we’re square. You ain’t gonna enhance my ballpark experience any better than doing those things. Unless … you know … Daisy from the RoughRiders was to sit in my lap the whole game or something.
Rangers pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report on Thursday, February 18.
Get DePaula right after cutting parking.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
The first thing
Chuck G can do to get more people from North Dallas Suburbia & Collin County over to Arlington is to figure out the traffic situation (especially getting the hell out of there). We shouldn’t have to go special little back ways and alleys just to exit the ballpark.
I was at the Marlon Byrd Grand Slam game v the MF Yankees in ’08 and it was a wonderful game and the only thing that took away from the experience was the total gridlock we experienced trying to leave once we got to our car …AND THERE WERE LESS THAN 33,000 FANS AT THE GAME!!!!.
One of the most impressive things about Jerry World is how easy it is to exit that place.
"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 have never spent longer than 15 mins trying to exit the ballpark.
I never park on the south side of the park but the north side is about as easy as it gets. And its really only like a 5 min walk from the home plate entrance. You are crazy if you think parking is bad!!
Elvis has "shook up" Arlington!!
Valet
Dudes, if you have never used the Valet parking at the ballpark, its so totally worth it. Instead of walking for 30 min to get to your car, you just stand there for about 10 and they bring it right to you. Its a bit expensive, but its so totally worth it.
Oh my god! What can it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing?
-Wash
Unless you have a lexus
Then it costs $0.
"You'll meet them again on their long journey to the middle." -Lester Bangs
by BAC on Feb 3, 2010 2:39 PM CST up reply actions
No,
it costs like $40k because that’s what Lexus’ cost. While Valet parking is the bomb, I’m not going to go out and buy a Lexus just for that purpose. (though I’ve been tempted to get a used one).
I can imagine 10 or 15 years from now, someone pulling up in a 20 year old lexus that’s primer grey with replaced quarter panels and belching smoke and saying, “VALET PARK THIS POS”
Oh my god! What can it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing?
-Wash
x
you’d come out ahead in this bad boy
40 * 81 = $3,240 – $995 = $2,245 in value, baby!
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
I really don't know how much valet costs per game
just guessing
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
I believe its 30 dollars
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.
Lets all get together
and pile a bunch of people into it to go to the games with.
Meet 10 miles from the stadium and park for free at a park or something and then all pile into the Lexus and ride to the game and valet park :)
Oh my god! What can it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing?
-Wash
That's pretty much me...
I have a beat-to-shit 15 year old lexus es300 (the cheapest one)…but they still park it.
"You'll meet them again on their long journey to the middle." -Lester Bangs
by BAC on Feb 3, 2010 2:48 PM CST up reply actions
How much do you typically tip them?
It's baseball. You don't always get what you want, and you don't always want what you get. --Ed Coffin
Depends how miserably hot it is, I guess
But usually $10.
"You'll meet them again on their long journey to the middle." -Lester Bangs
by BAC on Feb 3, 2010 4:15 PM CST up reply actions
I normally do $3 for parking
and $5 for bringing back…it really depends on how much $ I have left though.
"Big whoop, wanna fight about it?"
by lost in space on Feb 3, 2010 4:31 PM CST up reply actions
we park
over at 6 flags just walk up the rise and into 3rd base gate. takes less time to leave.
I soloed in the Mile High Club!
Who is we
did you have a mouse in your pocket?
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Feb 3, 2010 10:55 AM CST up reply actions
Josey drives to games???
I always assumed he rides in on his high horse
"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 Feb 3, 2010 10:58 AM CST up reply actions 16 recs
Maybe that is why
it takes him so long to get home
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Feb 3, 2010 11:00 AM CST up reply actions
parking
If you know the area getting in and out os pretty damn easy. Now with the highway construction almost complete it should be even easier. Along with 161 opening up from 30 that should help alot too.
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 started parking on the north side
last year. They put that damn median up on Stadium South and now you can’t park in the $6 lots anymore.
Parking
We used to park in BFE and by the time we got to our lot all the traffic was gone.
Last year we went season parking in Lot B. It got a LOT better once we started throwing folding camp chairs in the back of the car, and now when we all get out to the lot (we park next to Cindy and Stephen) we pull out the chairs and sit around for a while after the game. It’s quite enjoyable.
"I think I'm going to name my new car Scooter, because it dominates on the road." - mikeyoungfuturehof, 9.10.09
"I’ve been a Rangers fan all my life and I can tell you there’s been plenty of fucking crying in baseball…" - WhipSmart, 6.3.08
must be nice
to not have a job to go to the next day :)
Once the season starts, I may see if it works out to ride with Cindy or you guys (depending on if I’m coming from work or home).
Oh no
don’t get me wrong, I have to get up at 6am during the week to be at work on time. I am one of those people who needs at last 8 hours of sleep at night, too. Weeklong homestands just about kill me, but I keep doing it.
I look at it like this – it’s a decent chance that if we went straight home instead of hanging around I would go home and not go to bed immediately anyway, so I’m not staying up that much later.
"I think I'm going to name my new car Scooter, because it dominates on the road." - mikeyoungfuturehof, 9.10.09
"I’ve been a Rangers fan all my life and I can tell you there’s been plenty of fucking crying in baseball…" - WhipSmart, 6.3.08
And
as far as carpooling, I’m cool with it as long as we know earlier than “right before we leave” – my car is a two-seater, so it would affect the car we drive :)
"I think I'm going to name my new car Scooter, because it dominates on the road." - mikeyoungfuturehof, 9.10.09
"I’ve been a Rangers fan all my life and I can tell you there’s been plenty of fucking crying in baseball…" - WhipSmart, 6.3.08
you just got me thinking about
tailgating on opening day. Bring on opening day! I could definitely use some baseball about now
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
Let's start today. Meet ya there in 30.
"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.
Let's Tailgate the entire ST time up til Opening Day
so who’s with me?
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
Dude, I've been in the parking lot waiting for you
for like an hour and a half. Where is everybody?
"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.
by AceJC on Feb 3, 2010 3:51 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
which lot?
you must be in the lot on the other side of the stadium
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
No shit,
the anticipation is killing me
"Big whoop, wanna fight about it?"
by lost in space on Feb 3, 2010 1:30 PM CST up reply actions
Never had a huge problem leaving
I always leave out on Division to 360. I think the cluster fuck of construction going on now for the new Cowboys stadium, and the Super Bowl next year, will allow better traffic stituations.
"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball." - Terence Mann
Yep
The Baird Farm bridge should help alot, Collins bridge being finished will help.
The thing I think people should do if they are leaving up the Ballpark Way route and need to get on 360 is instead of getting on 30 or using Lamar to get to 360 go up to Brown or Green Oaks and then over. Stuff like that will make things so much easier for people
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.
x
Collins bridge is already open I think.
I soloed in the Mile High Club!
Yeah it wasn't last year though
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.
The refreshing thing about Greenberg in comparison with a Cuban
is that he recognizes that he is not equipped to be making decisions on the operations side. Cuban has had too large of a hand in their personnel decisions (and I mean that even beyond the financial end of the decisions), and it has held him back.
by Brett Perryman on Feb 3, 2010 4:45 PM CST up reply actions
TR's Mailbag
Seems to strongly indicate that Rocco Baldelli is going to be a Ranger… Almost like he was hinting that it was the last move the Rangers would make. I dont mind it at all.
PM Productions - Song of the Week - Clip of the Week
"Heres the thing... I made that tape special for today, my special Monday morning tape for you, SPECIAL!
Well it's fucking Monday afternoon you should get out of bed earlier!"
John Cusack and Jack Black, High Fidelity
Is he really healthy enough to spell Borbon in CF?
Does he field IF groundballs better than Andruw Jones?
Rangers pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report on Thursday, February 18.
25 man w/ Baldelli
Salty/Teagarden
Davis/Kinsler/Elvis/Young/Greene
Hamilton/Cruz/Borbon/Baldelli/Murphy/Vlad
Thats 13 position players to go with the 12 man pitching staff.
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.
Yep,
And that’s exactly what I expect the roster to be very soon.
"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.
Not many players with options.
Bringing up a pitcher for a spot start or bullpen depth might be difficult.
Vladimir Guererro - 2010 AL MVP
spot start?
what is this, the 2003 Rangers? These 2010 Rangers are going to hold firm in their rotation all year long!
Actually – the truth is that there is the always available “Brandon McCarthy to the 15 man disabled list” move for spot starts, and “Brandon McCarthy to the 60 man disabled list” to clear space on the 40.
Go Rice Owls!
Huh?
You mean sending a position player down for a pitcher? We will have a few guys in the bullpen with options we can send down in emergencies if need be.
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.
Who?
Other than Feliz, our bullpen is pretty stacked with either major league contracts, guys without options, or Ben Snyder (the Rule 5 pick).
Lets see
Frankie: none
CJ: still has options although I cant see sending him down plus the waiver thing apparently
Oliver: none
Nippert: none
Feliz: yes
Ray: yes
Oday: I believe he still has options left
I think Feliz probably will end up being the yo-yo guy which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Nippert most likely will be our spot starter but Oliver or Feliz could spot start if needed. I doubt all three guys would be unavailable at the same time. I don’t see it being a huge issue
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.
So by "a few" you mean Feliz and Ray
I’m not sure that we can send Ray down. I know he has options, but someone remind me what the final determination was on our ability to send him down?
Also, don’t yo-yo Feliz. Just don’t do it.
2 or 3 out of 7
Thats more than enough.
Ray would have to pass through revocable waivers to be sent down but he does have options left. The waivers is just a formality since its an unwritten rule about claiming guys being sent through for purposes of optioning them.
As for Feliz I don’t want to yo-yo him but he is the most logical choice.
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 you yo-yo any of the 7 main options in the bullpen
Our bullpen is strong on paper, and if we still need more depth in the pen, then we’re really in trouble. As for a spot start, you go with Nippert/Mathis instead of sending Feliz down to bring someone up.
Of course, when the inevitable injury happens, then you have a roster spot you can rotate through. However, until that happens, sending Feliz down as the yo-yo guy is an break-glass-if-emergency event only.
Yo-yoing Feliz
The only way I would yo-yo him is if for some reason our starters only go a few innings multiple games in a row and our pen is tired. Spot starts can be handled by Nippert, Feliz, or Oliver. If someone gets injured there is the obvious callup.
With the talent we have out there I don’t see us needing to yo-yo anyone. But if that does come up, which probably only will happen once or twice during the season, then I think Feliz is the guy who gets sent down.
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.
Emergency starter
Like if the starter comes down with the flu a couple hours before gametime and can’t make it and Nippert and Feliz are both unavailable.
I would think he would be the next choice to try and gut it out for 3-4 innings
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.
yes.
He got a spot start last year with anaheim, and he’s consistently avereaged more than an inning per appearance over the last 4 years. He’s not a LOOGY. (.605 OPS against vs RHP last year).
Oh my god! What can it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing?
-Wash
That was his first start since 2004
He went 4 innings. I guess he could go out there as the first starter in a “bullpen game”, where you have 2-3 guys you look to get 2-3 innings apiece from before you go to the main pen, but if you needed a spot starter and Feliz and Nippert were both unavailable, my guess is they’d go to AAA.
by Adam J. Morris on Feb 3, 2010 3:01 PM CST up reply actions
Thats why I said emergency starter
A spot starter is someone who you can pretty much predict up to 48 hours before a game they will be starting. Say Hunter goes out and feels a twinge in his hamstring one night. Its not enough to put him on the 15 day but he’ll miss a start. You know that 5 days in advance and can manipulate your bullpen so Nippert or even Feliz is rested.
An emergency guy is one that pops up out of nowhere with little to no time to make a roster move. Oliver to me would be an emergency starter only.
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, no CJ to start?
I figured he would be the go to guy in the “dire emergency” situation, the way everyone is proclaiming him SP material.
"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 think CJ would be behind Oliver in the pecking order
Only because hes much more important at the back end of the pen. And using him as a starter for 3-4 innings probably takes him out of action for 3 days afterwards where we may need him.
Losing Oliver for 3 days we can live with alot easier than losing CJ
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 can see that.
But I think it would depend on how good each were pitching at the time. If Oliver was lights out, CJ may be a better bet to start and leave Oliver at the back end. Plus CJ has the age thing going for him and would probably not have to be out as long as Oliver.
But Olivers experience probably would give him the edge at first to make that start over CJ.
"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.
Chances are
The ML bullpen isn’t going to look the same a month or two from now for whatever reason. When that happens, someone with options will come up to replace the underperforming/injured pitcher.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
Don't be too sure of that
This isn’t your fathers Rangers. Frank^2, Wilson, Feliz, O’Day, Ray, Snyder, Oliver, Nippert, and maybe Harrison. We won’t see all of the above, but barring a major deal happening or a major injury happening during spring training, 7 of the above will constitute the Rangers Bullpen for the majority of the year. We are happily lacking of the emergency filler (Jason Grilli, Kris Bensen, Jason Jennings types.
Oh my god! What can it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing?
-Wash
Injuries still happen more than we'd like
Even if its only a 1-2 week thing. I’d also love for everyone in the bullpen to not underperform at all.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
on the Texas Rangers official page
I don’t think I have seen that many pitchers on their depth chart before. I could be wrong.
That doesn’t even mention all the possibilities of prospects like Scheppers, Gutierrez, Kiker etc. There are too many to list
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
I'm hoping
Borbon can play at least 140 games this year. If he can’t handle LH pitching, move him to 9th and Tiny E to lead-off.
I also think instead of bumping Cruz down to 7th to break up The Black Hole, Salty should hit 9th with Tiny E hitting 8th v RH pitching.
Tiny E is no longer a rook and shouldn’t have to take out the garbage.
"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 don't think hitting 9th is necessarily taking out the garbage
The difference between 8th and 9th is minimal at most. But hitting 9th directly in front of the #1 guy is a great strategic move. Elvis on base with Borbon at the plate will give pitchers nightmares.
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.
Agreed
continue to use Andrus like a 2nd leadoff hitter. If you can get those 2 guys on base back to back, it puts a ton of pressure on the defense and the opposing pitcher.
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Feb 3, 2010 11:08 AM CST up reply actions
I don't know...
I generally like to hit 9th directly in front of the #3 guy. Seems like a better change to score once on base.
"…although it does kinda show how little faith they have in Cruz, whether that be the org as a whole or just our beloved, bespectacled, kool-lovin’ skipper."
by Ryin A on Jan 11, 2010 5:48 PM EST
I'd have no problem swapping Elvis and Borbon between #1 and #9 when facing LHP
I can’t find any justification at all for moving Elvis to #8 in the order. You might want to explain that one again.
I think the only person that has a problem with
swapping Elvis and Borbon in the leadoff spot is Ron Washington.
Vladimir Guererro - 2010 AL MVP
Ron said all last year that Elvis wasn't mature enough (too young)
to handle the leadoff spot. He was very up front about that. Wash putting Elvis at leadoff would depend on if he thinks Elvis can handle it. I’m not sure what Wash would need to see out of Elvis to put him at lead off.
More chest hair?
"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.
Well given the choice between Andrus and Kinsler, sure, Andrus is a rookie.
Assuming that Kinsler is firmly in the middle of the lineup, Wash is choosing between two kids to hit leadoff. That’s a much different discussion than choosing between a vet and a rookie. Plus:
1. Elvis has more ML experience than Borbon, and Wash clearly thought Borbon could handle leadoff against RHP straight out of AAA.
2. Wash hit Andrus #2 for 130 AB last year (27% of his total at bats).
3. Wash didn’t play Borbon at all against LHP.
4. Andrus had a .373 OBP against LHP last year.
If anything, I’m not sure that Wash completely trusts Borbon against LHP, and Wash may have just enough faith in Andrus against LHP to lead him off.
Hey, I was all for Elvis to his leadoff last year even.
I would love to see Elvis get more AB’s as well by hitting leadoff against LHP. I don’t see Wash really having a reason for Borbon to ever see the leadoff spot against a LHP. Ever… But it is Mr. Washington, so we will see.
I have this strange feeling he will say something like “Your leadoff hitter is your leadoff hitter. It shouldn’t matter if he’s against a lefty or a righty. Borbon is our leadoff hitter and that’s where he’ll be.”
Uber-cringe.
"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 think this is based more on unreasonable Wash fear
Rangers fans seem to think that because Wash is the manager, if there’s a logical way to set the lineup, Wash will refuse to do that. Further, Rangers fans think Wash will not set a logical lineup based on reasons that can only be expressed by making fun of the way Wash talks.
I’m not a huge Wash fan, but I don’t think there’s enough evidence in this case to say exactly what Wash is going to do.
My friends
make those same assumptions and it gets old. HaHa, Wash pronounces words funny so he must be an idiot. Don’t take into account natural dialects from across the country and understand that he speaks normally for someone from that area, just laugh at him and insult his intelligence…
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Feb 3, 2010 1:21 PM CST up reply actions
Wash's problems speaking the language
wouldn’t be brought up if his teams played a more fundamentally sound game, if he understood how to make out a line-up and if he knew how to handle a bullpen.
"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 3, 2010 1:26 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I don't know
I’m guessing that if everyone here watched every game Scoscia managed, we’d probably have similar complaints. Or any manager for that matter.
"You promised me, Eckstein, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I noticed that during the most trying periods of my life, there have only been one set of prints in the sand. Why, when I have needed you most, have you not been there for me?" David Eckstein replied, "Because my little legs had gotten tired, and you were carrying me." And I looked down and saw that I was still carrying David Eckstein.
Then he grounded out weakly to second.
Exactly
I seem to remember The Fat Man single-handedly giving away a few games to the Rangers last season.
"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 believe that was their bullpen that did that.
"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.
So he should have used them differently?
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.
lol. No, they just sucked.
Except for the one we have now, their pen blew 2 games at least last year. We owned the Loux. Speier was nice to see as well.
"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.
OK
So if Washington brings in the right guy and he blows it its his fault but if Scoscia brings in the right guy and he blows it its on the player. Got it
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'll make this short.
CJ coming in the 3rd time in 4 days is not the right player., so your assumtion about what I think is wrong there.
Angels bullpen <<<<< Rangers bullpen. Which is more along the lines of what I was stating. That and the Angels bullpen blew at least 2 games against the Rangers, which they did.
Is that better for you?
"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.
Its a lose lose with you
Had we brought in someone else instead of CJ it would have been the wrong move especially if they blew the game.
And if we use our best player for the situation its wrong because hes being overused.
Im not absolving Washington of any faults but bringing in a guy whos been used the previous couple games in the realm of a 162 game season is not a big deal. He has his faults but just because he doesn’t make the ideal lineup according to you doesn’t mean hes wrong and you are right
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 not lose lose.
Again, you assume I think bringing in someone else is wrong. I never said that. You did.
I was honestly comfortable with almost every reliever we had last year except for JJennings and guys who were being used for thier 4th time in 5 days.
I’ll say it again, I’m not saying Washington was complete poo in his decisions. On the contrary, I think he did a good job overall with the team. But there were some decisions he made that I would have liked him to do differently. I don’t want it to come down to ’He’s wrong, I’m right". I want to come across as, he’s doing a good job except for a few spots where I think he could have acted differently.
One last thing:
bringing in a guy whos been used the previous couple games in the realm of a 162 game season is not a big deal.
I would say it is if it puts a guy on the DL because he is overused. Frank was used 4 days out of 5 in early May and after that 5th day hit the DL.
He then pitches 3 days out of 5 right after he comes of the DL. He then has to go back to the DL because of a shoulder problem. 3 out of 5 days usually isn’t bad except he just got off the DL.
I know I have the benefit of hindsight, but Fx2’s handling there was questionable in my opinion.
"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 anything about the way Wash talks.
My feeling on this is the way Wash would absolutly refuse to do a lineup change during the game. Also the way he would sit Cruz at times in favor of other outfielders/DHs bothered me. He didn’t do it too often, but enough for me to notice and take note.
His bullpen management wasn’t the greatest either. He would send out Frankie or CJ out 3 out of 4 days at times when it is shown they do very poorly when they are in that position.
This is where I have fears on how he would handle Borbon/Elvis. Nothing about his “the way Wash talks”
"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.
So other than the Wash talks thing, you just proved what I was saying.
Rangers fans seem to think that because Wash is the manager, if there’s a logical way to set the lineup, Wash will refuse to do that.
Your explanation for why you think Wash will screw up the Borbon/Elvis thing is simply that he’s screwed up previous, completely unrelated lineup decisions. How does Wash’s bullpen usage establish that Wash will refuse to leadoff Andrus against LHP?
My evidence was at least relevant. Wash led off Borbon everyday against RHP but wouldn’t play him against LHP. Wash also let Andrus get 130 AB in the #2 position last season. That’s much more relevant to what Wash might do about Borbon/Andrus in 2010 than your complaints about the bullpen.
I don't think that these are completely unrelated lineup decisions.
I was commenting that I don’t have complete faith in Washingtons decision making because he has proven to not always make the best choice IMO, not because of the way he talks. All those points I stated were to refute your statement of
Rangers fans think Wash will not set a logical lineup based on reasons that can only be expressed by making fun of the way Wash talks
not necessarily about about the Borbon/Andrus decision in 2010.
RE: Andrus/Borbon for 2010
While the bullpen decisions do not go directly to the point of Andrus leading off against lefties, it does go towards my thought that Washington can sometimes make personnel decisions/changes that aren’t always the best.
It’s not like the two decisions are apples and oranges. More like red apples to green apples.
Ian leading off against LHP instead of Elvis last year is more in line to what you are looking for. I think Elvis would have done fine in the 1 hole and Kinsler I believe would have been even more so effective lower in the lineup, thus making the Rangers a better offensive team.
"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.
Its perfectly reasonable to not want to hit a 20 year old leadoff
And last year during one of Elvis’ slumps he did mention how he was thinking too much which would also lead you to shy away from wanting to put too much pressure on the kid. Even though leadoff is only guaranteed once a game the mindset of hitting #1 and being directly in front of guys like Young, Hamilton, etc is different. And for a kid his age who already has stated he was thinking too much to put him in a position where he could possibly think even more (how do I get on base?, Do I try and bunt here if the 3B is playing back?, etc) I think is the right call to leave him at the bottom of the lineup.
I don’t really remember many instances last year where one of Washingtons lineup or bullpen decisions had literally no justification for it. Using Frankie 3 nights in a row was justified given the circumstances. Sitting Cruz or whoever usually was justified.
Given that the game is played on the field by humans and not on paper or by computers there are elements that can’t be comprehended by stats. None of us know what goes on in the clubhouse before games when Wash is making out the lineups. None of us see what he sees that may influence his decisions. Could there have been a couple decisions that may have swung the game in our favor….sure. there were also times we could have lost had he done stuff that on paper was the right call but he went against the grain. All in all it just about evens out. he has the team playing hard for him and winning. I don’t know much more i could ask given what hes been given to work with the last few years (ie young players and guys we sign on the cheap)
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.
ARGH
I don’t want to come across as a Washington hater. He’s done a tremendous job with this team. He’s never been a major league skipper until this team, so I know he’s learning. I can easily give him a B, B+ for his job so far.
That being said, I think he still has some room for improvement and there are some of his moves I don’t necessarily like. Hence my statement that Wash leading off Elvis instead of Borbon against LHP isn’t a given, IMO. I would like to see Elvis leading off against LHP instead of Borbon, but what I want doesn’t always seem to jive with what Washington does.
"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.
My biggest beef with Wash lineups
was Andruw Jones hitting cleanup when Cruz was by far the better player. I didn’t mind Byrd there as much. Wash had a lot of issues last year with slumps and injuries, but that doesn’t negate the fact that he put some pretty bad lineups out there.
For instance, regarding Elvis in the leadoff spot, Wash instead placed Arias for his 1 or 2 days on the team in the leadoff spot quoting Arias’ “experience” as a reason, although Andrus had accrued more MLB plate appearances, by a decent margin, to warrant the spot.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
I agree.
I also seem to remember him favoring the R-L-R-L system over who actually would fit better in the spots. This IMO seemed to create, God help me for saying this, a “black hole”. If he went with a L-R-R-R-R-L-L lineup, he may have gotten better results. Of course the logic of alternating handedness is a resonable one and one I wouldn’t exactly crucify him for following. Just a difference in philosophy between us.
IIRC, AJM and LSJ had a rather long debate on wether it was really that beneficial to alternate handedness in the lineup.
"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.
yeah
I like when your betters hitters come to the plate more often, which means hitting at the top of the order.
Handedness for me, though, might depend on what opposing manager you are facing. Do they throw alot of LOOGYs out there, or is it like the mariners in which they didn’t have a lefty out of the bullpen. Some of those things could factor into a lineup, but overall I like when the better hitters are in run scoring or run producing spots in the lineup regardless of if they are a Lefy or Righty.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
Again, you prove my point
While the bullpen decisions do not go directly to the point of Andrus leading off against lefties, it does go towards my thought that Washington can sometimes make personnel decisions/changes that aren’t always the best.
Compare this to what I said:
Rangers fans seem to think that because Wash is the manager, if there’s a logical way to set the lineup, Wash will refuse to do that.
When speculating about how Wash will set the lineup in 2010, your faith in Wash’s personnel decisions/changes in the past is fairly irrelevant unless it relates to the players at issue. I’ll give you two examples.
1. Will Cruz start everyday in RF next year? Relevant: Wash sat Cruz at times last season in favor of Murphy, and he may do so again.
2. Will Cruz start everyday in RF next year? Irrelevant: Wash has done a poor job of managing the bullpen and often wears out his best relievers.
I see where you are coming from.
However, my statement about the bullpen was more of a broad stroke in Washingtons decision making overall. I also used that example to show my dislike for his decision making not because of the way he talked, but because he chose to do something that was against what I would have liked to have seen. I did not want to compare that to your statement
Rangers fans seem to think that because Wash is the manager, if there’s a logical way to set the lineup, Wash will refuse to do that
Look at my Kinsler/Elvis 2009 and that would be my relative point about why I feel it’s not a given Washington will put Elvis against lefties over Borbon.
We can both agree that Washington has his own logic and he will follow that. Sometimes it will be the popular choice, other times it will not.
"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.
Think pointillism.
However, my statement about the bullpen was more of a broad stroke in Washingtons decision making overall.
Well stop painting in broad strokes. I want specifics, dammit.
Look at my Kinsler/Elvis 2009 and that would be my relative point about why I feel it’s not a given Washington will put Elvis against lefties over Borbon.
I’ve already responded to this point in my initial statement.
Well given the choice between Andrus and Kinsler, sure, Andrus is a rookie. Assuming that Kinsler is firmly in the middle of the lineup, Wash is choosing between two kids to hit leadoff. That’s a much different discussion than choosing between a vet and a rookie.
The fact that Wash let Kinsler hit leadoff everyday isn’t an indictment of Elvis as much as it is Wash’s respect for the vets on the team.
However, I’ll atleast give you credit that Wash’s decision to hit Kinsler leadoff last year is at least relevant, although not weighty evidence.
Ok. I think we've found a concensus
on where we each stand.
My final point ties up what I was trying to say at the very start of this:
I have this strange feeling he will say something like "Your leadoff hitter is your leadoff hitter. It shouldn’t matter if he’s against a lefty or a righty. Borbon is our leadoff hitter and that’s where he’ll be
and my feeling for him justifying this would be that he thinks that Borbon has the most experience leading off vs. Elvis. Thus he will want to keep Borbon at leadoff, even against lefites, because Borbon has more experience there and is THE leadoff man.
"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.
The Great Warsh Debate of 2010 is OVER!
let the healing begin
by JShoe on Feb 3, 2010 4:24 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Borbon had a .385 OBP in the one-hole
So I would say what Wash did worked. My guess is that he eases him in against some soft lefties and then adjusts from there.
And his (16 ABs) 125/125/125 line isn’t too inspiring.
"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'm just glad we don't have to see the Byrd flap anymore
"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
is it because you want to be the only one with a four letter name and then E?
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Feb 3, 2010 12:26 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Rocco doesn't offer the OBP of Reed Johnson or Ryan Garko, but he'll work.
It’s better than seeing Borbon and Davis start against every LHP.
Baldelli
Has never played a major league game at 1B.
by Darrell McKown on Feb 3, 2010 10:14 AM CST up reply actions
pffffffffffffft
There, I said it so Cahill doesn’t have have to.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Feb 3, 2010 10:16 AM CST up reply actions
That's a SEOS is a fine institute of higher learning, sir.
"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
*making sense fail*
That’s what i get for commenting while my boss isn’t looking.
"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
Daniels, in his chat the other day
didn’t seem to make much of an effort to veil the fact that they are interested in Baldelli. Have to think there’s fire behind that smoke.
by Brett Perryman on Feb 3, 2010 4:48 PM CST up reply actions
He also said he was interested in 1b options.
I’m guessing JD had a list of preferred RH options and wasn’t too concerned whether he was at 1b or CF. Once Garko, Tatis, Gomes, and Johnson were off the board, Baldelli was the next best option.
I think what he said
screamed out Baldelli, at least to the degree that Baldelli is healthy. I think if he was all that interested in bringing in someone who could only play 1B and hit right handed, they would have topped Seattle’s offer to Garko.
by Brett Perryman on Feb 3, 2010 5:46 PM CST up reply actions
True
Although I’m not sure why anyone would prefer Baldelli to Reed Johnson, who went cheap too (assuming Johnson would have been interested in playing here).
If we sign Baldelli to play backup CF, it just proves that Wash knows nothing about what the roster is going to look like.
WTH does Wash have to do with a mostly GM decision?
"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.
He said that at the time when we had no other real option
Ask him again after we sign Baldelli and the answer may change
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.
Makes sense to me...
..considering depth. What is a bigger issue, 1B depth with Davis/Murphy/Vlad/Smoak or CF depth with Borbon/Hamilton?/Gentry?/Boggs? Especially considering the rigors of the position.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
Vlad at 1b? Really?
In terms of system depth, it is easier to find a 1b than a CF in the event of injury. I’ll agree with that.
However, Davis has more extreme platoon splits than Borbon. If you’re concerned about assembling the best offense for April 1, then you find Davis a platoon mate.
If we had signed a DH who could play other positions, then we wouldn’t have this problem. I think it’d be interesting to run a projection of whether we’d be better off with Garko/Johnson (plus $4 mil and platooning Murphy at DH) or Vlad/Baldelli. My hunch is that the Garko/Johnson solution would be better because (a) it makes use of Davis and Murphy, who can hit some RHP but not LHP, and (b) no one is projecting Vlad to be the Vlad of old.
Davis had extreme splits last year
But throughout his minor league career and his first stint in the majors he hasn’t had such splits. Hes been pretty damn good against LHP. I think thats a majority of the reason why we haven’t targeted any of the backup guys who are primarily 1B. If Davis reverts back toward his minors and first year self then we won’t need a backup 1B much.
If he falters early in the season before Smoak is deemed ready I imagine we would make a trade for a stopgap 1B or hell even a blockbuster (Adrian Gonzalez?). If he is ok early and starts struggling late in the season the Rangers probably believe Smoak will be ready.
Between Borbon and Davis I think the Rangers are more worried about Borbon and thus the focus has been on someone who can primarily be the backup CF and occasionally play 1B rather than focus on a 1B who is not capable of playing CF
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Really? SSS LH/RH Splits?
It seems silly to be a fan of building from within, then deciding that a player has established themselves after such an up and down time in the majors. I’m much more interested in finding out what Davis can be long-term this year than I am at the marginal upgrade of adding a platoon-mate for him, especially considering that Smoak is in AAA and may make it all pointless in 3-4 months anyways.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Feb 3, 2010 10:19 PM CST up reply actions
Bringing in a platoon partner strikes the proper balance between player development and competing in 2010.
the marginal upgrade of adding a platoon-mate for him
It seems silly to be a fan of building from within, then deciding that a player has established themselves after such an up and down time in the majors.
If I thought Davis established himself based on his 2009 performance, then there’d be no point in keeping him on the roster at all. That’s not the issue. Bringing in a platoon partner serves three purposes:
(1) Protects Davis against LHP as Davis is reestablishing himself in the majors. We can’t afford for Davis to start off as bad in 2010 as he did in 2009. In an ideal world, Davis would revert to form and after May would establish that he no longer needs a platoon partner. Not likely, but it’s possible.
(2) Increases the likelihood that we’ll have adequate offense production from the 1b position. The Davis story has three likely outcomes: he’ll suck, he’ll hit like he did in 2008, or he’ll improve over 2009 but still struggle against LHP. If we had brought in a guy like Garko who kills LHP, then you have a backup plan if Davis sucks, an extra bench bat if Davis hits like 2008, and a great platoon situation if Davis hits again but struggles against LHP.
(3) Adds a legitimate RH bat if there’s an injury. For example, if Vlad goes on the DL for an extended length of time (which is a very real possibility), you don’t want Murphy starting everyday at DH.
Part of player development is understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each player and putting that player in the best position to succeed. It’s why you see players like Borbon only play against RHP as a rookie, even though it infuriates the fans. Davis has to establish himself all over again, which means treating him more like a rookie and less like a third year player.
I’m much more interested in finding out what Davis can be long-term this year
Do you really think Davis needs to start everyday against LHP for the team to determine whether he’s going to hit like in 2008 or like in 2009? If Davis crushes RHP, then we give him the chance again to hit LHP. If Davis can’t hit RHP, then we would be ecstatic about having a platoon partner for him.
especially considering that Smoak is in AAA and may make it all pointless in 3-4 months anyways.
If Davis hits the way he did last year, we can’t afford to wait until July to replace him. If we bring in a platoon partner, it will be easier to survive until Smoak is ready.
He can be a right handed bat for us
until he gets hurt in a month. I’d rather see Murphy get spare time at 1B until they think Smoak is ready to come up.
"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball." - Terence Mann
we need a righty to spell Davis v. tough lefties.
Hopefully he’ll pee on everyone and we’ll not have to worry about it.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
Why?
Davis throughout the minors and his first stint in the majors had pretty even splits. Last year was bad pretty much all around. If he reverts back toward his previous self then you don’t need a platoon. If he stays his 2009 self then you are probably looking for a full time starter until Smoak is ready
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.
That's what I meant by peeing on everyone. It'd be nice to have someone bridge the gap between Davis sucking vs lefties and Smoaks arrival.
Not saying it’s going to happen, just saying IF it does.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
If Smoak
lights it up in ST and Davis is craping on himself…who knows where he’ll start out.
"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball." - Terence Mann
I agree. I just don't want to rush Smoak.
In a perfect world I’d love to give him half a season at AAA
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
I guess my contention is that
I think either Davis will be a near even split guy or suck against everyone. I don’t think he will be a guy who crushes RHP and needs to be sat against LHP. Either hes gonna crush both or suck against both.
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.
Yup.
Even without the minor league track record Davis has, I wouldn’t be a fan of making that decision on such a small sample size.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Feb 3, 2010 10:21 PM CST up reply actions
OT- Good lord Florida's recruiting class is good.
Easily will be ranked #1.
by Too Legit To quit on Feb 3, 2010 11:48 AM CST via mobile reply actions
More. What are your valued thoughts on Florida, Michael?
by Too Legit To quit on Feb 3, 2010 11:57 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
I don't really watch much college foosball.
I really disliked Tim Tivo though. And I think Oscar saying he’s leaving as HC for health reasons, then deciding ‘nvm i’m fine to coach still’ like 2 days later, was ridiculous as well.
Not sure about how "easily" it will be ranked #1, but it is very good.
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.
Um, why would Scroggins go to USC?
He’s not gonna play for 3 years…
by Too Legit To quit on Feb 3, 2010 12:11 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
babes and beaches?
"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
Because they pay better?
"You'll meet them again on their long journey to the middle." -Lester Bangs
by BAC on Feb 3, 2010 2:43 PM CST up reply actions
A&M checking in at #15
Da U at #12
by Too Legit To quit on Feb 3, 2010 12:20 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Florida will be ranked #1
too many 5 star and top 150 prospects not to be, that doesn’t always translate to wins, but they’ll be ranked #1 for their recruiting class
You hear about the "Electric Arms", they're all the rage.
I really hope...
…this kid doesn’t end up going to Dartmouth
If anyone watched the Army East-West all-star game, it was pretty awesome.
Maybe he wants to go to Dartmouth for an education
just saying…
"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 thought Cornell was the place to go.
At least that’’s what the “Nard-Dawg” says.
"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.
Andy almost fought a potential client because he had a Dartmouth shirt on
that was before his anger management classes, though
"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 loved when Andy gave Dwight a review for his admission into Cornell.
“Applicant is attempting to blackmail interviewer, showing low morale character.”
“Interviewer is threatening applicant with an arbitrary review process.”
“Applicant is wasting everyone times with stupid and inane accusations.”
“Interviewer has suspect motives”
“Applicant has a head shaped like a trapezoid.”
“Interviewer has turned off applicants interest in Cornell and they are going to go to the vastly superier Darmouth.”
"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.
by AceJC on Feb 3, 2010 1:26 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
The "Nard-Dawg" is
complete greatness. He always tries to find ways to show off his dancing skillz on 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)
mad banjo skills, too
"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 can't zip my baseball ball pants up anymore. I think I need baseball parachute pants.
This is embarrassing….
Would the season start for fuck sake?
"I think that Rangers is good team."-DemianBlue
I split my pants today getting into my truck
I shit you not.
"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
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