Series Preview: Texas Rangers @ Minnesota Twins: The Great Outdoors
by ghostofErikThompson on May 28, 2010 3:00 PM CDT
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The Rangers are heading to Minnesota to get their first look at Target Field and I, for one, am ecstatic about it. This means the Rangers never have to play in the Metrodome ever again. There were only two places I ever felt the Rangers would always seem to have a nightmare of a time trying to win in, The Kingdome and The Metrodome. Sure, the Rangers have probably lost more games at other venues, but with the Homerdome, if it wasn't a catchable ball lost in the lights, it was a cursed home run seemingly held back from escaping the dome's malevolent grasp.
Those huge deformed concrete shrines to Hades always felt like houses of horrors with lights like devilish eyes and sounds of echoing demonic voices humming a sinister song out of tune. All of this unpleasant sorcery would lead to to the Rangers having to struggle for every hollow victory. One more soul for one more run. I'd bet you couldn't even get a decent cheese curd in that monster coliseum.
The Twins now play baseball in the light of day in front of God and everyone. Though, does Target Field also have garbage bags instead of outfield walls? I can't believe that used to be a feature of a big league ballpark. In addition to that being different, Target Field also sounds classy as hell compared to Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Now let's just hope it will be a terrible place for the Twins to play at when the Rangers come to town.
Friday, May 28 7:10: RHP Colby Lewis vs. RHP Kevin Slowey
Saturday, May 29 3:10: LHP C.J. Wilson vs. RHP Carl Pavano
Sunday, May 30 7:05: LHP Derek Holland vs. RHP Scott Baker
I'm pretty sure the Twins starting rotation is comprised of one guy with a revolving array of fake facial hair tacked on with spirit gum and deception. In fact, in support of the probably-the-same-dude theory, the Twins pitcher(s) even follow the same pattern of stinginess. Of the three pitchers the Rangers will face this weekend, Pavano is 1st in all of baseball with a 5.13 K/BB rate, Scott Baker (3.77) is 11th, and Kevin Slowey (2.92) is 28th (And even Francisco Liriano gets in on the fun at 22nd best).
For comparison's sake, the first Rangers pitcher to make the K/BB rate list is Colby Lewis (2.44) at 44th place. The point is the Twins don't get beat by walking batters. They've allowed the fewest walks (106) as a team all season. The team closest to the Twins in fewest free passes, the Phillies, have allowed 18 more walks. Good luck with that walk rate, Elvis.
Nelson Cruz is having a once-in-a-career kind of season. If he can stay on the field, he has a chance at having one of the best seasons by a Texas Ranger ever. And yet, up to this point in the season, Justin Morneau has been like Nelson Cruz if Nelson Cruz were also Lou Gehrig. Let me rattle off some ridiculous Justin Morneau numbers:
- 1st in baseball by over 6 runs in wRAA at 27.8
- 1st in baseball in created runs by over 5 runs at 51.2
- 1st in baseball in RAR by over 11 runs at 37.3
- 1st in baseball in WAR by over a run at 3.8
- 2nd in baseball in wOBA at .497
- 2nd in baseball in OPS at 1.178
Basically, Justin Morneau has been so good, he's been worth the best player in baseball with an Ichiro Suzuki or Adrian Gonzalez left over. Simply amazing. If he were to play as well as he has so far for the rest of the year, he'd end up with the 27th best season ever based on OPS. Of course, his BABIP is currently at .431 so the odds of that happening are pretty slim, but regardless, Morneau has been ridiculous so far.
Minnesota Twins (27-20, 1st place AL Central)
Rangers' 2010 Record vs. Minnesota: N/A
Minnesota's Recent Results: 1-2 Series loss against the New York Yankees
SBN Twins' Blog: Twinkie Town
|
Match-up: (as of 5/27) |
Rangers |
Twins |
Advantage |
|
|
Batting (RAR) |
64.7 (14th) |
103.8 (2nd) |
Twins |
|
|
Starters (RAR) |
32.4 (20th) |
46.5 (9th) |
Twins |
|
|
Bullpen (RAR) |
9.9 (12th) |
10.2 (11th) |
Twins? |
|
|
Overall RAR |
107 |
160.5 |
Gulp. |
|
|
Defense Runs Saved |
10 |
19 |
Twins :( |
|
Questions to Ponder:
- Is anyone actually certain that they've seen Kevin Slowey before in their life? He's like the Delaware of people.
- Over/Under: Will the Rangers draw 6 walks over the three game series?
- Did you know: Nelson Cruz and Justin Morneau have a combined OPS of 2.322?
- Did you know: Julio Borbon and Matt Treanor have a combined OPS of 1.091 (i.e. less than one Justin Morneau)?
- Seriously though, what's a smelt fry?
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Comments
The only result of this series I think we should be upset with is a sweep.
A win and we should be ecstatic.
I agree...
I am concerned about this series.
by ghostofErikThompson on May 28, 2010 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions
It could happen!
:(
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
True enough
If Morneau decides he’d rather take a trip to Hawaii…
And Mauer puts his face mask on backwards….
And Vlad imagines he is back in Arlington…
And Hamilton stays away from garlic, wooden stakes, and lathers up with sunscreen when out of his coffin…
And Pavano/Slowey/Baker decide that it seems like nice weather for a bunch of walks…
And the Kirby Puckett statue comes to life, distracting the remaining Twins players…
Then yes, I can see us sweeping them.
I don't think two wins is a miracle.
Especially if Nellie plays, the Twins aren’t that much better. Two wins is just probably less likely than one.
Like Kansas City?
"Just take the ball and throw it where you want to. Throw strikes. Home plate don't move." - Satchel Paige
by Suicide Prince on May 28, 2010 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions
How many Kirby Puckett statues could there really be?
Wouldn’t any be the most horrifying statute by default?
"When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty."- General George S. Patton
Well...
just in case there’s another Puckett statue out there, I’m going to assume that this one is still more terrifying. It looks like a baseball playing monument to Cowboy Bebop’s Mad Pierrot.
by ghostofErikThompson on May 28, 2010 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions
That KP statue does look like it wants to eat small children.
"When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty."- General George S. Patton
Dirkatron design it?
O wait that would be punting sorry
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
Also, this is going to be the rare series where I like the opposing announcers better.
I’ll certainly watch Josh and Tag because they’ve got my interests at heart, but Blyleven and Bremer are about as good as it gets without being Vin Scully.
And we only have Josh and TAG for tonight.
Tomorrow is Fox and Sunday is the groundbreaking ESPN Sunday Night Baseball Crew!
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
We're on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball?
Shit on a hamster.
"When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty."- General George S. Patton
I remember when I was a kid...
when the Rangers were on ESPN, it seemed like such a rare treat. Now I dread it.
by ghostofErikThompson on May 28, 2010 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Because when I was even younger than that, I lived in Grapevine and went to a few games.
I didn’t quite care about baseball yet, but I cared about the Rangers a little, and they stuck with me when I started caring about baseball.
Also, in Northern New Mexico, the fans are split between the Rockies and Rangers.
With a handful of Diamondbacks fans, but there were enough Rangers fans for me to keep interested with other people.
Where in Santa Fe are you
I’m in Albuquerque now, but lived in SF for years.
by jasonhh on May 29, 2010 12:02 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Rough Timeline
1985: Born.
1992: Went to my first baseball game. Nolan Ryan pitched.
1993: Went to some other number of games.
1994: Went to the first ever game at the Ballpark in Arlington. Mostly played Mega Man III on my Game Boy.
1995: Moved to New Mexico. Brother became a Rockies fan.
1996: Vaguely followed the Rangers run to the playoffs, cemented me as a Rangers fan.
1998: Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and another Rangers playoff run firmly entrench me as a baseball fan.
2000: Move to Washington and get to watch the Rangers every time they play the Mariners.
2003-06: College, and too buys in the summers to follow the Rangers or baseball closely.
2007: Get MLB.TV and, for the first time in my life, get to watch almost every Rangers game.
I'm guessing his first name is Phil
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
Robbie
"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 May 28, 2010 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Because:
I use to live here, and all the kids had “philkid#” as their emails. I was the third one to get one.
Man I loved that place!!!
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
My best friend from high school spent a couple of summers after we graduated as a wrangler at Philmont
He stayed in northern New Mexico for a while after that cowboying around, but he’s back in West Texas now, daytrashing and breaking horses.
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
I love it out there.
Not when I lived there, though. I was 9-14 and there was absolutely nothing to do.
But then I worked there my first six summers after high school and fell in love.
Philmont was actually one of the more happening places my friend worked out there
One summer he was up in a high mountain valley in a tent mostly by himself.
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
Oh yes, working there in the summer is spectacular.
Lot’s of freedom to do lots of cool things with lots of cool people.
I worked there one summer too
Clarks Fork, 1985 (ok, so that was the year you were born…)
I also did 2 treks.
Though the longest treks were the ones I did on my time off while there. Climbed Mount Baldy once.
Then explored about 60 miles of the southern half of Philmont on another off day. (hit Lovers Leap, Trail Peak, Mount Phillips, and Clear Creek twice.)
oh, to be young again. if I tried that now I’d make it like two steps……
oh, and Eagle Scout too, 1983….
Oh my god! What can it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing?
-Wash
I'm sticking with Phil's 3rd Progeny
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
I'm an Eagle Scout, but never made it to Philmont
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
Philmont
Good to see some other Philmont veterans. How many treks for you guys? Four for me. I still have nightmares about Schafer’s Peak.
So any of you guys also Eagle Scouts? Got my Eagle in 1986.
"We are no longer a ride at Six Flags, we are in contention to do some things that will make our lives complete."
-- Chuck Morgan
Got my Eagle in 03/04 I think
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
Yes, I got my done remarkably fast from 13 to 16,
but that is the exception. Most it takes from 12-18(when eligibility runs out) some get an extension. My Eagle project took me over 200 hours to plan and carry out.
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
Eagle Scout
I joined Boy Scouts on my 11th birthday, and got my Eagle about a month before I turned 15. Fortunately, we had a good troop with very involved adult leaders.
My two brothers are also Eagles; I think there’s at least two other families in our troop’s history besides mine with at least 3. I was also in the Order of the Arrow, Brotherhood rank.
"We are no longer a ride at Six Flags, we are in contention to do some things that will make our lives complete."
-- Chuck Morgan
Was supposed to be in O.A,
but our troop did it by popular vote of our peers, which I don’t think is correct. All the leaders voted me in, but apparently they let the peer vote out weight that. I got bronze palm and was going to keep going, but long story short the Scout Master, lied to my face and got busy with high school stuff.
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
I and my two older brothers
both made Eagle. My father was scout master, my mother eventually because assistant district commissioner of Circle 10, and they are both still involved, though I think now its mostly just the Jewish Committee on Scouting…..
Oh my god! What can it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing?
-Wash
Sweet.
The reason I’ve moved so much is my father being a professional. Currently a council executive.
Not sure if he'd know my parents.
Hopefully not. my mother is a royal pain sometimes.
ok… all the time….
Oh my god! What can it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing?
-Wash
My dad is still involved as well
My dad’s been the troop committee chairman for about 25 years. We’ve also had the same scoutmaster for around 35 years. He and my dad are both stepping down at the end of the year, as they’re both in their late 60’s, and figured it was finally time to hand the reins over to some younger hands.
Honestly, as much as I enjoyed Scouts, I think my dad’s gotten even more out of it- he was in Scouts as a teenager, but his troop folded due to lack of resources right after he reached Life Scout. Most all of his and my mom’s friends are people they met through the troop.
"We are no longer a ride at Six Flags, we are in contention to do some things that will make our lives complete."
-- Chuck Morgan
Yes.
In short it takes years of working in the troop in leadership positions, several camping requirements, lots of service hours, an Eagle Project, 21 merit badges and a handful of other requirements.
The last bit is grueling.
One trek.
When I was 16. Then two summers as a museum tour guide, two summers as a group leader, one summer working at the Hunting Lodge and one summer working at News and Photo writing the Philnews.
I dream of taking my troop on treks one day, but literally none of them are old enough yet.
Eagle in 2003.
And one day, RC, we need to have an off-topic thread so I can tell you some of my nightmare hikes. The worst of them involved Shaefers, as well. . . after getting lost going down Black Mountain and only hitting Shaefers after the sun was down.
1985?
Damn! I got t-shirts older than you.
I graduated high school the year you was born.
plus, you didn’t get to see Bobby Witt pinch hit off of Rick Cerone in 1987. That was a treat. Cerone balked in the 20th run of the game for the Rangers, Witt hit a long fly that was foul, and then struck out.
ahh.. those were the days. Bob Carpenter and Steve Busby in the booth. Eric Nadel and Mark Holtz on the radio.
ahh.. those were the days. Bob Carpenter and Steve Busby in the booth. Eric Nadel and Mark Holtz on the radio.No Jim Knox!!!
Oh my god! What can it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing?
-Wash
March 1985 here.
"When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty."- General George S. Patton
So with all of the off days and day games here lately,
the board knows educational levels and now working on bdays.
We need more baseball.
by lost in space on May 28, 2010 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Born in June 1984 myself
Grew up on the KTVT broadcast team of Busby and Sundberg and the WBAP radio team of Nadel and Holtz.
For some reason, our cable provider out here in West Texas carried all the KTVT games, but we never got the HSE games, so every time I looked on the schedule and saw “HSE” as the broadcaster I was sad. Who was on that HSE team? Didn’t Norm Hitzges team up with someone?
Once it switched over to Prime Sports, we finally got it and then we lost the DFW-local station games until my parents finally got DISH. And then it became Fox Sports Southwest, Jim Knox came into our lives, and we were all better off.
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
Wow...
I hadn’t thought of Norm and Greg Lucas doing Ranger games in forever.
by ghostofErikThompson on May 28, 2010 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Only 3 years older than me and my first game came in 2006.
Baseball skipped a major part of my life, after little league I quit caring.
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
Ya Joe Morgan and what's the old farts name, plus Oral or whoever else,
it’s about as close to humane torture that is legal. I almost want to take pencils to my ear drums when I have to watch them call a Rangers game.
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
"Humane torture"???
Hmmm…
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
I should maybe just now post for a while.
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
What triggers your brain
when you post more than 1 word per comment?
by lost in space on May 28, 2010 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Nothing probably
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
^5 on the spelling :-)
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
Yo Ghost
keep these coming. I chuckled numerous times.
Offering continued condolences to Stars and Liverpool fans.
Another day game...
I know someone mentioned it a few days back, but don’t we have another ~30 day games?
23 was the number I saw last.
"When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty."- General George S. Patton
I'm calling b.s,
must be punishment for borrowing that money.
DAMN YOU BMFF SR
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
Next saturdays game has been moved to a 3pm start too
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
EFFFF YOU BUD AND BMFF SR
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
Smelt fry
I’m guessing it refers to the fish, which is native to the area.
Thank you, Wikipedia!
"We are no longer a ride at Six Flags, we are in contention to do some things that will make our lives complete."
-- Chuck Morgan
It is...
It’s like a fish fry but with a smelt fish. I have some friends from Minnesota and they tell me all kinds of weird crap they do up there like hotdishes and lutfisk.
by ghostofErikThompson on May 28, 2010 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions
lutefisk
A boiling pot of walleye is a great way to end a day.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Actually
I think Morneau is 1st in wOBA and OPS, that is if I can sort Fangraphs columns properly.
by Arnidor on May 28, 2010 3:26 PM CDT reply actions
He is...
if you don’t include Ethier who barely doesn’t qualify. I included him so I could include Nelson Cruz in my study because Cruz also barely doesn’t qualify.
by ghostofErikThompson on May 28, 2010 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Eithier's wOBA blew me the fuck away.
I was doing a “so far All-Star roster” for another message board, and at first I didn’t have Ethier before I started looking at unqualified players. Damn, what is he eating?
I've been fearing this series for quite a while.
The Twins are good and although we’re playing them in a different venue, we’re still on the road and the road hasn’t been kind to us this year.
Anxious to see the new park in person. I had no desire to go to the Mdome but I’m interested in this place.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
You there in person?
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
I've been to mineapolis. its very nice in the summer
Oh my god! What can it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing?
-Wash
I used to work with an old bag from Minnesota
who swore to me it was hotter in Minnesota than Texas during the summer because of the humidity.
I called bullshit but did so in a very charming manner.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
Hopefully not by referring to her as an old bag.
"When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty."- General George S. Patton
I call bullshit on that, also...
I think it’s the same as though in Minnesota they’re used to the cold, so when they have their 2 or 3 weeks of weather in the 90s in the summer, they think the earth has opened up and hell has come at last. And as the reverse, in Texas, when there’s a cold front, everyone acts like it’s the end of the world whereas similar weather in Minnesota would be like a nice spring day.
by ghostofErikThompson on May 28, 2010 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions
A pal of mine...
was telling me last winter how he was going out for a bike ride and it was minus 28 degrees. What the hell?
by ghostofErikThompson on May 28, 2010 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions
People up there are kinda different.
I’ve got a friend at ACU that is from there, he’s an odd duck.
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
I was at Tech one day in late January
and it was 6 degrees with a 35 mph wind from the north …making the wind chill close to -30…I had to walk a mile across campus in that stuff because all the buses were fool.
I’ve never been that cold in my life and can never understand how people live like that for days and months at a time.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
"All the buses were fool" - fool?
I really do know how to spell.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
caught it before you did.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
Wait, you went to Tech?
No wonder you’re such an idiot.
Oh my god! What can it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing?
-Wash
I'm guilty of a typo
You’re the dumbfuck who can’t figure out why they gave an inning to the Dutch Oven on Wednesday.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
It's beer night for me
but I won’t get into the game until after 9 or so.
I rarely have more than two mixed drinks anywhere.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
I generally drink
more liquor on Friday than Saturdays.
I hate feeling hungover on Sunday.
by lost in space on May 28, 2010 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Your drink of choice tonight?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
Borbon and Coke.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on May 28, 2010 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Liquor.
Already.
Wife is currently taking a CPA exam. There will be much drinking and celebration.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on May 28, 2010 6:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Ya I had to walk across campus in that crap in Abilene.
Our campus is a freaking wind tunnel at ACU. This was one of the coldest winters I’ve ever dealt with, but I had a lot of snow days which got me out of test!
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
I must say...
…winter sports are kind of fun. That and drinking…lots and lots of drinking. =)
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on May 28, 2010 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions
I hear...
all kinds of awesome winter-y related things. Like ice fishing stories and boats sinking in rivers in below freezing temperatures. It’s cold as hell but they manage to find fun things to do up there.
by ghostofErikThompson on May 28, 2010 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Yup
Mini-ski parks (with tubing!)
Snowmobiling
Ice Fishing (though I haven’t tried it)
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on May 28, 2010 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions
I can believe it's humid because of all the
lakes and the Mississippi River but it’s not even summer in Dallas right now and I have a hard time they can surpass what we’re seeing this afternoon….95 degrees with epic humidity.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
Humidity 32%, according to dallasnews.com weather page.
45% according to WeatherBug at Garland Lakeview Centennial.
Not what I would call “epic”.
Yup...
…it’s even worse than that. They think anything over 87 or so is HOT.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on May 28, 2010 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions
It is.
I was born here and have lived here most of my life, but I have never been able to tolerate the summers well. You put me in Maryland or even Ohio during the winter and I can make that work for some reason. Have never tried Minnesota.
87 degrees is hot. 107 is a shit load hotter, but 87 is hot.
And it’s not like this is the desert or anything. There are more humid places, for sure, but steady south winds from the Gulf means we’re almost always humid to one degree or another. I can’t find the article now but Dallas is one of the hottest places in the United States if you go by average heat index. I can tell you one problem they don’t have in Minneapolis: we can go for a week or two in the middle of the summer here and not see a temperature below 80 degrees, and that occurs at sunup. There’s never any relief, ever.
by Black Francis on May 28, 2010 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions
The Sweatiest Cities in America
The Top 10:
Phoenix
Las Vegas
Tucson, Ariz.
Dallas
Corpus Christi, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
Austin, Texas
Shreveport, La.
Houston
Waco, Texas
By Heat Index:
Miami, Corpus Christi; Orlando; Phoenix; West Palm Beach, Fla.; Houston; San Antonio; New Orleans; Tampa; and Fort Meyers, Fla.
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
I've been to Florida lots of times during the summer
It’s really muggy but not the same kind of hot that it is here. It’s hard to say which is better or worse. They both suck.
by Black Francis on May 29, 2010 12:03 AM CDT up reply actions
87 just isn't hot to me.
Then again, 40 is cold. This is why I get along better in Texas than Minnesota.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on May 28, 2010 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Born in St. Paul.
Used to spend summers up there with family.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on May 28, 2010 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions
No...poorly written. I've been to
Dodger Stadium, The Murph in SDO, Safeco, The Stick in SFO, Anaheim Stadium, Wrigley, Comiskey, TBiA, The Juice Box, Kaufman, Camden, Old Yankee Stadium, Fenway, Miller Park, Coors Field…and I’m interested in the new Twins place.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
I would totally...
go see a game at Target Field. It looks so cozy and interesting.
by ghostofErikThompson on May 28, 2010 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Their fans were excited cause the restrooms have those toilets where you
flush up for #1 and down for #2.
I was interested the first time I saw one as well..so I guess I shouldn’t hate. heh.
Hey...
again, anything is better than an Arlington Stadium pee trough!
by ghostofErikThompson on May 28, 2010 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Pee Trough> Pee Wall.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on May 28, 2010 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions
You mean this thing?
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
Nothing says pissing like a stainless steel wall
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
Agreed.
Has to be better than the Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on May 28, 2010 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Good news, bad news...
Sullivan_Ranger Nelson Cruz not in lineup. Says he can pinch-hit and will not need to go on DL
"No nuts, no glory"
I'll take that trade.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on May 28, 2010 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions
As long as it is not just delaying the trip to the DL
I agree.
Godwin's Law Version 2.0 (Rangers Edition)
"As a Ranger discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Danks, Volquez, or Young approaches one."
by LBBRangerFan on May 28, 2010 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions
They can back date it.
If they don’t play him.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on May 28, 2010 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions
How about for the series?
Because I just plugged him in to the offensive preview assume he’d at least get to play two.
Heh...
…the bit about the pitchers made me laugh. I always have trouble keeping them straight unless we’ve just played them.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
Hmmmm, Oakland is at Detroit, eh?
Sweep their asses, Tigers!
"When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty."- General George S. Patton
Can I mention...
how much I hate that they’re using Captcha now?
Fuck.
by ghostofErikThompson on May 28, 2010 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions
The SBNation double post gremlin creates irony at its finest
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
Yes,
yes it does
"Just take the ball and throw it where you want to. Throw strikes. Home plate don't move." - Satchel Paige
by Suicide Prince on May 28, 2010 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Justin Morneau...
is terrifying.
by ghostofErikThompson on May 28, 2010 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions
You know what would be hilarious?
If, after winning an MVP he didn’t deserve and almost winning another, he keeps this up and someone else takes it from him.
/Coastal Biases
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
Josh Hamilton...
winning it would be the ultimate irony.
by ghostofErikThompson on May 28, 2010 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Harold Reynolds is complaining that the humidor is cheating.
WTF? How is it cheating? It affects both teams.
You don't get that kind of analysis just anywhere.
by lost in space on May 28, 2010 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions
We are the ESPN 8 The Ocho of SBN Blogs
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
Yeah...
that’s like saying the tall grass at the Ballpark is cheating.
by ghostofErikThompson on May 28, 2010 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Fan noise?
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
The O'Day chant...
is never cheating.
by ghostofErikThompson on May 28, 2010 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Good point
too bad ushers don’t realize this :-(
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
I once talked to a guy who went on and on about the Notre Dame football field's grass.
Apparently they leave it really long to try to help slow down faster teams. He went on and on and on about how much he hated it. I was just like “dude…”
Looks like
game one them, game two us game three meh and our bullpens are pretty much even
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
Woops my bad,
I’m terrible with saber stuff, getting better apologies.
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
Bullpen.
Their bullpen is pretty even, while ours is weighed down by some putrid performances at the bottom of the depth chart. The back end of our pen has thrown significantly better than ours. I’ll take the Rangers if the games are tied or we’re ahead and our starters can go six.
I expected all the red bars
To be exactly the same.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on May 28, 2010 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Heh
Let’s just call it variance.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on May 28, 2010 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm so impressed...
with the Twins’ starters ability to avoid walking hitters. They’re like a rotation of a bunch of Bob Tewksburys.
by ghostofErikThompson on May 28, 2010 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions
OT (Repost): Books
Heading to the book store in an hour or so for some vacation reading…any recommendations? Old or new, fiction or nonfiction, bonus points for any relation to Central America.
I’m thinking about getting one of the dual language books so that I can try to brush up on my Spanish quicker…but I’m probably looking for a couple of books.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
Hmmm...
…interesting thought. I’ll check it out.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on May 28, 2010 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions
I was kind of leaning towards...
Marquez or Borges, but they aren’t Costa Rican either. To be fair, I don’t think I can find any of the Latin greats who came from Costa Rica. Must not be enough angst without a standing army…
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on May 28, 2010 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions
El general en su Laberinto
Is especially good by Marquez. Soledad, too, obviously.
Were you talking about the Spanish versions or English?
by brettgardner on May 28, 2010 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions
I used to be able to read Spanish
Though my vocabulary may not be enough to get through an entire novel. Ideally, I’d like to find a dual language book that has a translation that I can use in a pinch. I s’pose I could just ask a local…
Did you like El general better than El amor en los tiempos del colera?
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on May 28, 2010 6:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Magical realism blows
"I don’t know how these SN blog authors get their gigs, but I’m frankly surprised SN tolerates AJM’s lack of effort." Tex34
Neftali Feliz says sit your 5 dollar ass down before he makes change...
by Brian Thomas on May 28, 2010 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Have you read any Cormac?
His material sounds a little like what you are looking for.
Blood Meridian or the border triology would fit that niche, and they are a heady blast to read.
"I don’t know how these SN blog authors get their gigs, but I’m frankly surprised SN tolerates AJM’s lack of effort." Tex34
Neftali Feliz says sit your 5 dollar ass down before he makes change...
by Brian Thomas on May 28, 2010 9:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Hmm, interesting.
Not quite what I’m going for on this trip, but I’ll keep it in mind. Thanks.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on May 28, 2010 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes
I think Cholera is pretty overrated.
by brettgardner on May 29, 2010 1:03 AM CDT up reply actions
bg -
You ever read the Bill Simmons Basketball Book?
I know you’re a big NBA fan and curious how that book plays with younger fans.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
I haven't
I don’t really like his columns, but you’re talking up this book so much that I might just have to check it out. I’m always looking for new reading.
by brettgardner on May 29, 2010 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions
The book is an extension of his columns so be forewarned
but if you’re interested in NBA history and how the league evolved to where it is today, it’s a very good read.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
by Josey Wales on May 29, 2010 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions
Two recs
Hunting Eichmann and The Lost City of Z. Both are great non fiction books, which are my preference.
by Whiskey in my Whiskey on May 28, 2010 5:02 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
This is the players actually playing.
Not how well the teams have played by position.
Dewan and MGL seem a little dividided on the shortstops.
Third base...
The horror…
"When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty."- General George S. Patton
Serusly.
Too bad this isn’t the limbo…
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on May 28, 2010 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions
My thought exactly this will help lighten the mood
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
No wonder bra my friend we have more evidence
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
mezmerizing
I could stare at that for hours…………
She should be wearing one of those shirts like this:
Oh my god! What can it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing?
-Wash
She's Italian she don't need that haha
The argument has been whether they are real or not I say real, plastic don’t move that way
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
wait
is that the italian game show where the chicks (and sometimes dudes, ewwww) strip? I remember seeing that in Italy and thinking, “Damn, I wish this was on american TV.” Then, they had a show like it on american TV and it was uber lame…..
Oh my god! What can it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing?
-Wash
I don't think they strip fully or at all.
This is the research Rodney found
After extensive research, and babelfish translator use, I have figured the show out.
The first guy to pop a woody on National (Italian) TV is eliminated, Claudia changes into an even sexier outfit, and so on, until the last man is standing…
He is OFFICIALLY THE GAYEST MAN ON THE PLANET!!!!!!
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
I can't get over how bad it is.
He looks bad. +/- thinks he’s bad. UZR thinks he’s bad. They’ve always thought he was bad. Nothing about Michael Young looks good on defense, there is no way to even find a positive.
So wtf are Evan Grant and Bo Reed smoking?!
Flying to MN now!
Every year my dad and I pick a new stadium and city to check out and watch Texas play. This year, its the twins. I’m on a plane from Tampa, my dad on a plane from LA. We’ll be right behind the texas dugout for Sat and Sun’s game. Reppin the Texas jerseys Sunday night.
We’re 6-1 when we go visit, so hopefully we can pull out a win or two this weekend.
Go Rangers!!
MLB Network = Awesomeness
by SMITTY on May 28, 2010 4:59 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
That's awesome!
Let us know WooWoo style how your trip went.
by ghostofErikThompson on May 28, 2010 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions
thats awesome
just got back from Ny and Fenway
by jonathan rigby on May 28, 2010 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Gotta say that's pretty cool man...
enjoy your time with him and enjoy the weekend.
by lost in space on May 28, 2010 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Cool, have a blast!
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
Have fun, interested to see what someone thinks of the Target.
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
Did this with my dad 2 years ago...
..not Rangers, just going to a game at Fenway and the old Yankee Stadium. We weren’t really that close growing up, so that was definitely a highlight.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on May 28, 2010 6:50 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't understand the graphs.
"F YOUs."
by dontcallmeElvis on May 28, 2010 5:27 PM CDT reply actions
those are easier to look at and understand.
"F YOUs."
by dontcallmeElvis on May 28, 2010 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions
graphs would work better if they used boobs
by jonathan rigby on May 28, 2010 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions
College would be more interesting if boobs are more easy to see
in Claudia’s form
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
you see....i feel that i didnt finish college because of boobs, so be careful what you wish for....there will be more boobs.
"F YOUs."
by dontcallmeElvis on May 28, 2010 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm done in December with bachelors,
and this whole college girls thing isn’t true. For me at least, but I don’t party so that might be the problem.
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
Your one word comments
are so much more informative.
by lost in space on May 28, 2010 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions
You've gotta have a certain amount of will power to pull it off,
but it can be done.
by lost in space on May 28, 2010 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions
agreed. It would be a cop out to blame it all on the boobs. But....chasing boobs in bars was an issue.
"F YOUs."
by dontcallmeElvis on May 28, 2010 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Ah have friends who do that
they have more issues than that, no offense
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
They probably do, and I hope they find there way easier than I did, but clean and sober for 2 years now and life is good.
"F YOUs."
by dontcallmeElvis on May 28, 2010 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Congrats man, I'm hoping they pull out, but
who knows they are pretty stubborn and don’t want to hear it, when we bring it up.
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
you gotta go your own way.
"F YOUs."
by dontcallmeElvis on May 28, 2010 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Yea. Great point. Have one boob as the rangers, one boob as the twins....the bigger boob will win.
"F YOUs."
by dontcallmeElvis on May 28, 2010 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Well we have Claudia so we win!
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
well I am sure it's not the graphs, but the info they are presenting. I am a big rangers fan and watch 90% of the games all season, but I dont know these stats like yall do.
"F YOUs."
by dontcallmeElvis on May 28, 2010 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Quick explanations with links to more thorough explanations.
wOBA: Offensive rate stat on a scale similar to OBP. Encompasses power produced, outs avoided and bases stolen. Explanation here. WOBAr is wOBA regressed to expected performance from batted ball ratios and career performance.
xFIP: Pitching rate stat on a scale similar to ERA. Looks primarily at the parts of pitching that are evidenced to be repeatable skills: walks, strike outs and fly ball rate. Explanation here.
DRS: Also known as plus/minus, a measure of fielding runs saved vs. average. Explanation here.
UZR: Same thing as DRS with different methodology. Explanation here.
Simply look at it as comparing the offensive output at each spot in the batting order, the pitching performance and the defensive performance.
thanks, i will be checking this out for a few.
"F YOUs."
by dontcallmeElvis on May 28, 2010 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Well worth it,
philkid is great reference.
by lost in space on May 28, 2010 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions
and what does that "H R" thing mean?
"F YOUs."
by dontcallmeElvis on May 28, 2010 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Tits worthwhile sight seeing
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
Mariners designated Jack Hannahan for assignment.
MLB trade rumors reports
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
That's too much awesome for one stadium
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
Probably not a game you want your kids going to,
they would be bored out of their mind.
by lost in space on May 28, 2010 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions
True,
but dang I hope that’s nationally televised.
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
Diet
Coke.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on May 28, 2010 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions
*shakes fist*
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
Also Harrison coming off the DL tomorrow
JeffWilson_FWST Matt Harrison to return from DL tomorrow as reliever
I’m guess Moscoso going down
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
he cant pitch from the stretch
better than mathis though
by jonathan rigby on May 28, 2010 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Just bring him in with nobody on base...
simple solution right?
by lost in space on May 28, 2010 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Max Ramirez getting a start tonight.
Went 5 for 7 with 2 HR’s and has started 3 games in 2 weeks…because of Matt Freaking Treanor.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
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