Lone Star Ball: FanPosts

Help with video feed.

2009-07-05T02:29:20Z

I have a link to a live feed of every angels game, i was wondering if anyone had a similar link to a live feed of every rangers game. http://atdhe.net/7346/watch-angels-vs-rangers that is the link to the angels games, i know you can watch it at mlb.tv, but i dont have the money to pay for that and since they have a feed to fsn west then i just thought they might have one to Fsn southwest

Minors 7/4

2009-07-05T02:09:27Z

Noone particularly interesting pitching today.

OKC - Delayed or postponed

BAK - Roark

FRS - Poveda

Poveda's been hit around a bit but it doesn't matter because Spingfield's pitchers decided to collectively pull off their best David Price impressions. Tim Smith is 2/3 with a homer and 7 RBIs through 4 innings, Whittleman is 1/1 with a homer and 3 BBs.

HIC - Brigham

Brigham - 2/1/0/0/0/4. Hamburger and Castillo aren't doing so hot. Macumba - 3/5, HR, 5RBI, Santana - 3/4, HR, 3RBI, Nooch - 2/3, HR, BB, 4RBI. Latin Wind went 3/5 with a couple of doubles.

SPO - Tullis

Baserunning: Why have we lost runs due to this?

2009-07-04T22:55:50Z

I found this snippet from Joey at BBTiA rather interesting:

MLB.com's Daniel Pauling recently lauded the Rangers' basestealing prowess thus far in 2009, which has manifested to the tune of the best team stolen-base percentage in the American League at 84.8 percent (67-for-79), but modern sabermetrics enable us to penetrate beyond the surface statistics and evaluate other aspects of baserunning -- and it is in this regard that Texas is not excelling, but rather floundering.

According to team baserunning statistics devised by former Baseball Prospectus author Dan Fox (now working as the Pirates' director of baseball systems development), that lofty basestealing success rate has amounted to a theoretical 4.53-run edge above what would be expected given the number and quality of the Rangers' basestealing opportunities (the best mark in baseball, and worth nearly half a win), but Texas actually grades out at minus-4.04 runs once the other team baserunning components are added to the mix. Why is this?

Basically, the Rangers have been a bottom-tier team in terms of generating additional runs by means of baserunning advancements on ground balls, fly balls and base hits; they have particularly struggled in that final category, grading out as the worst team in baseball in terms of advancing on base hits (minus-5.53 runs), and the baserunning numbers available at Bill James Online support this assertion, with Texas successfully advancing from first to third base just 10 times in 73 opportunities (or 13.7 percent of the time, the ballclub's worst seasonal mark since at least 2001) and from first base to home plate just 10 times in 45 opportunities, which is also the ballclub's lowest success rate since 2001.

I know i've loved our aggressiveness and effeciency when it comes to stealing bases. It seems like we have a well prepared, smart team when it comes to stealing bases, and while we arent the fastest team in the league, we have some guys that can move. However, the loss of advancement on hit balls is disturbing, we've lost over 8 runs in baserunning advancements on balls hit in play according to Bill James. And with the way we've failed miserably at scoring runners from 3rd with less than two outs, I think the runs lost b/c of not scoring from 1st on 2bs and 2nd on 1Bs is likely worse. Thats the difference in at least 2 wins, maybe more... and it could certaintly be the difference in a pennant. To me, I think a ton of this falls on the lack of aggressiveness by our 3b coach. I know there have been several times where i was pretty much screaming at the tv b/c we didnt send a guy home when he could have seemingly easily scored... Im not sure exactly where the entire disconnect is between the aggressiveness in stealing bases and the lack of aggressiveness in taking the extra base is, but I think a ton of it comes in the form of Dave Anderson, our 1st time 3B coach. I dont know much about the guy, but i do know that it certaintly seems like we have definitively lost runs because of his inability to send runners when they need to be sent.

I dont have a subscription to bill james online unfortunately, but id be very interested to compare these numbers to the #'s from last year to see if with nearly the same baserunners (Salty, Nelly, and Andrus for Vasquez, Laird and Bradley is probably most of the difference in runners) if we had better results on advancements on balls in play. I know from looking at Baseball Reference that Ian was one of the best at advancing last year. I dont necessarily want us to become uber aggressive like the Angels, but when you are losing that many runs b/c of lack of advancement on balls in play, you are being way too conservative. No matter what, those numbers are unacceptable and need to be improved upon,because this is something that seemingly could be improved upon simply by sitting down and having a chat with the team and especially with Dave Anderson.

What moves need to be made.............

2009-07-04T22:17:16Z

I am new here, so this subject may have been brought up and i am unaware of it. I really think the Rangers are on track in their rebuilding process. However, I feel a few moves could be made to help them be a stronger contender and even stronger in '10. Just a few thoughts.......

1. Is there any interest out there for Blalock or Hamilton? Surely, there is a team that is on the edge of contending that could use a big bat. With the bats we have, we could move one or both mentioned players out for more pitching prospects. Hamilton is average at best in center and the team seems to have no field spot for Blalock. Both are great hitters now, that should be able to bring a great pitching prospect or two.

2. How long can the club wait on Davis to come around? Being from east Texas, I am a big Chris Davis fan. However, I feel he is a weakness at the plate that we cant afford to be a true contender. Maybe he will work hisself out of his batting woes before next year.............

3. Any word on new ownership? As a fan, it is scary that our owner is broke...............this could hurt us at the trade deadline.

Ranger's Snag Sardinas

2009-07-04T20:09:46Z

Rangers snag VZ SS Luis Sardinas for +1million per BA's Ben Bradler:

per Ben Bradler:

July 2 signing: #Rangers sign Venezuelan SS Luis Sardinas. No word on bonus, but believed to be over $1 million

BA had him ranked as the second best shortstop behind VZ Vinicio who signed with Boston for 2mill. Sardinas will count as the Rangers' priciest J2 sign ever. That should leave at least one more decent sign in the 400-700 and a couple/three more 100k-ish signs. Just a "gut" feeling.

Frank Francisco's Entrance Song

2009-07-04T05:08:09Z

Does anyone know the name of the artist and song that Francisco enters the game to?

It is a series of beeps...no lyrics.

Thanks for the help!

go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangers go rangersv

Minors 7/3

2009-07-03T21:39:02Z

Here's tonights pitching probs:

At 6 Joe Wieland gets the start for Hickory.

At 7 Blake Beavan will takw the hill for Frisco.

Also at 7 Luis Mendoza will get up 7 runs for OKC.

At 9 Tim Murphy will toe the rubber for Bkersfield.

Also at 9 Trevor Hurley will make the start for Spokane.

Shroom's Calendar

Go Rangers

x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Redhawk Notes

2009-07-03T17:45:24Z

from Jeff Wilson, FWST blog

Hamilton - "said that his timing is there even if the results aren't."

Benson - "should be ready to start a game early next week."

Eyre - "Rangers try to get him stretched out to be better suited for a long relief role" What do the Rangers see in this guy?

Neftali ~~Perez~~ Feliz - "clocked at 98 to 101 mph two outings ago"

El Duque - "He can opt out of his minor-league deal July 20."

Max Ramirez - "Max Ramirez continues to be bothered by a sore wrist."

Who leads OKC in HRs? Go read the article.

2009 Texas League All-Star Game Photos

2009-07-03T16:46:42Z

Photos from the 2009 Texas League All-Star Game in Frisco,Tx.

There are many pictures from the Home Run derby, some from the game and some post game fireworks shots.

Overall it was a good night. Team North won the game 2-1 and Mark Trumbo of NW Arkansas won the home run derby edging out Chris Carter.

Kiker was impressive in his 1 inning of work and Latos has some good stuff. Rough Rider Craig Gentry had a nice over the shoulder catch in center.

2009 Texas League All-Star Game Album

A few thumbnail samples below

via lh4.ggpht.com

via lh3.ggpht.com

via lh6.ggpht.com

via lh5.ggpht.com

New Top 20 Prospects column

2009-07-03T14:25:33Z

The latest installment of my weekly ranking of the top 20 prospects in the Rangers’ farm system was posted this morning on the official Rangers website, www.texasrangers.com.

This week’s includes a video package on Julio Borbon, and a number of the other Newberg Report prospect video packages from this season are available to click and view as well.

Here’s a direct link to the column:

http://dwarfurl.com/6390c

Also, please note that the column is set up to allow fan comments at the bottom of the page.

Rock on, Fin.

OT: New TCU Fan Website

2009-07-03T13:46:13Z

Horned Frog Frenzy

Sorry for the way OT, but I wanted to spread the word here about a website that a friend of mine and I are starting... I have flirted with the idea for awhile and have finally decided to dedicate some time to it. The website will be covering TCU Athletics, top to bottom, and will be featuring several regular items such as morning updates, breaking news, frequent pod-casts, live casts from around the TCU area, exclusive interviews with TCU staff and coaches, and unprecedented coverage of everything in Horned Frog land.

The blogging lineup will feature myself, as well as a current Fort Worth Star Telegram writer (Yet to be named) and possibly another member of the DFW media... Their will also be some pieces by some current TCU students and others.

We are pretty low tech right now but are planning some big updates very soon, and very likely a change of location... I would love to have all the TCU fans here bookmark/Google Read the site, and I welcome all suggestions.

Thanks and Go Frogs!

Horned Frog Frenzy

Profar signs

2009-07-03T05:35:12Z

According to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com: "Word has been confirmed that the Rangers have signed Jurickson Profar, a former Little League World Series star from Curacao. The 16-year-old Profar is one of the top prospects to sign on international signing day. He is a pitcher and a shortstop who led Curacao to the Little League World Series title in 2004."

This is big news. Profar has said he prefers shortstop, and the speculation the last few days is that the Rangers would be inclined to let him stay there rather.

Jamey

Jason Kidd signs 3 year deal with Knicks. (Not officially, but I'm calling it and that is what matters)

2009-07-03T02:54:30Z

Jason Kidd just signed a 3 year deal with the knicks. What does this mean for the Mavericks?

Who is our new starting point guard..

JJ Barea is it right now... We can't even win 40 games with that... He's a good backup, but not a starter...

Whats Cuban going to do? It seems as though he's not into spending the money anymore at all, I think he gave up..

So if Barea is our starting point guard going into the season, then we know this organization is done?

A new game for LSBers!

2009-07-03T00:35:22Z

Game day threads becoming boring for you? Do the daily open threads give you tired head? Well, here's just what you need to keep Lone Star Ball interesting- it's a bingo game, featuring oft-used phrases from LSB's favorite curmudgeon! Just save and print, and you're ready to go the next time The Outlaw goes off on another rant!

Who will be the first to complete their card? Sorry, no prizes awarded, but it's fun to play, nonetheless!

via img191.imageshack.us

Minors 7/2

2009-07-02T23:52:43Z

Here's tonights pitching probs:

At 6 Wilmer Font started for Hickory.

At 7 the Lizard will get the start for OKC.

At 7 Michael Kirkman will take the ball for Frisco.

At 9 Jared Hyatt might get the start for Bakersfield.

At 9 ~~Trevor Hurley~~ Ben Henry will toe the rubber for Spokane.

Sometime tonight the AZL Rangers will play with maybe Edwin Escobar get the start.

Shroom's Calendar

Go Rangers

x x x x x x x x x

Rangers Did Borrow From MLB, Hicks Heading Out Door Fast

2009-07-02T21:50:31Z

Yahoo Sports Story

This story seems to contradict a report from the FWST and DMN that the Rangers didn't borrow and were fine financially. Apparently, Hicks was given money by MLB to balance his budget and he is being pushed out as owner. My guess is he sells the whole team at well below market price before the trade deadline.

Major League Baseball within the last week loaned millions to Tom Hicks, the evidently cash-strapped owner of the Texas Rangers, and will continue to offer financial assistance to Hicks until he is able to sell the team, a major league source with direct knowledge of the situation told Yahoo! Sports on Thursday.

“He won’t be running the team much longer,” the source said. “Major League Baseball is helping him through this until someone else can be put in place to run the club.”

Major League Baseball within the last week loaned millions to Tom Hicks, the evidently cash-strapped owner of the Texas Rangers, and will continue to offer financial assistance to Hicks until he is able to sell the team, a major league source with direct knowledge of the situation told Yahoo! Sports on Thursday.

“He won’t be running the team much longer,” the source said. “Major League Baseball is helping him through this until someone else can be put in place to run the club.”

Rangersspokesman John Blake said the club would have no comment on the team’s financial situation. Rich Levin, a spokesman for the commissioner’s office, said MLB does not comment on its teams’ finances.

Reports of Hicks’ most recent difficulties surfaced during a radio show on XM/Sirius radio, when a caller said he’d heard the Rangers had not made payroll, and that Hicks had borrowed $15 million from MLB to do so.

A major league source told Yahoo! Sports the loan to the Hicks Sports Group was not made specifically to help Hicks with payroll obligations, and believed that the amount was for less than $15 million. A club source confirmed that the team met payroll and that the club is maintaining normal business operations, although earlier this season the team reduced its front office staff by 10 percent.

Hicks first announced he was willing to sell a minority stake in the club in March. But after the Hicks Sports Group defaulted on an interest-only payment on a $525 million loan to his U.S.-based sports operations, Hicks said he would be willing to sell a controlling interest in the team.

Hicks, who made his fortune in private equity, has an estimated personal worth of $1 billion, according to the 2009 annual survey by Forbes magazine. Hicks’ first major foray into sports came in 1995, when he purchased the NHL’s Dallas Stars, a team that twice went to the Stanley Cup finals since he took control. In 1998, he bought the Rangers for $250 million, but his baseball team has not come close to matching the early success he had with the Stars; the Rangers have never been to the World Series.

Hicks gained notoriety after the 2000 season when he signed Alex Rodriguez (notes) to a 10-year, $252 million contract, the largest in baseball history and reportedly at least $100 million more than any other team was willing to pay Rodriguez. The deal blew up on Hicks. The Rangers finished in last place in each of Rodriguez’s three years with the team, and Hicks traded him to the Yankees by agreeing to pay $67 million of the $179 million still owed Rodriguez in the deal, plus an additional $4 million in signing bonus.

Even after Rodriguez voided his deal with the Yankees, then re-signed a new 10-year, $275 million contract after the 2007 season, the Rangers were stuck with a $9 million bill in deferred compensation.

During his time with the Rangers, Rodriguez also tested positive for steroids. Hicks said he felt “personally betrayed and deceived” when news of the failed test broke earlier this year.

The Rangers’ opening day payroll this season was around $68.1 million, which ranked 22nd among MLB’s 30 teams and was less than $1 million more than its 2008 level. The Rangers until recently were in first place in the American League West, but Hicks’ financial woes would seem to make it unlikely that Texas GM Jon Daniels will be in a position to add payroll at the July 31 trading deadline.

A sale of the club does not appear imminent, and while names of prospective buyers have surfaced – Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, the team’s president, is said to be interested in becoming part of a new ownership group – there would appear to be little chance of the team being sold before the end of the season.

The All Ex Rangers Currently still playing Team

2009-07-02T16:18:45Z

The All Ex Rangers Currently still playing Team

1B: Mark Texiera NYY
2B: Mark Derosa CHI
SS: Ramon Vasquez PIT
3B: Alex Rodriguez NYY
LF: Alfonso Soriano CHC
CF: Gary Matthews Jr LAA
RF: Carlos Lee HOU
DH: Adrian Gonzalez SDP
CT: Ivan Rodriguez HOU

SP: Chris Young SDP
SP: John Danks CHW
SP: Edison Volquez CIN
SP: Armando Gallaragga DET
SP: Doug Davis ARI

RP: Jamey Wright KC
RP: Nick Masset CIN
RP: Ron Mahay KC
RP: R.A. Dickey MIN
CP: Francisco Corder CIN

Bench:

Travis Hafner DH/1B CLE
Carlos Pena 1B TBR
Jerry Hairston Jr UTIL CIN
Gerald Laird CAT DET
Milton Bradley OF CHC
Frank Catalanatto OF MIL

Just an interesting thing I was thinking about. Can't think many other teams could field
a better overall ex-player team (Maybe Oakland)

Time To Cash In On Millwood?

2009-07-02T14:28:59Z

I'm really sorry if its already been posted, but there's a really interesting story at Fangraphs about Millwood and his numbers this year. The article compares his numbers this year to his numbers two years ago, showing that his strand rate is really the only thing that's keeping his ERA down.

I know this isn't news to most of you, but does anyone think it might be time to see what we can get for Millwood before his ERA regresses to the mean? I don't know the answer myself, but the question lends itself to some (most likely already had) discussion.

Pleasures of Strand Rate

DID ANYONE SEE THE GUY RUN ON THE FIELD?

2009-07-02T11:06:23Z

There was a guy that ran on to the field after that game that absolutely dominated those security guards. I have some grainy video feeds, but would like to know if anyone caught this one. This just proves what we already knew: Rangers fans Dominate! I've seen New York, BoSox, Reds, Angels, and many other fans on the field and none lasted longer than this guy, and he didn't get tackled. Anyway, I'd like to see a copy if you got it. Maybe we could do that as a fan promotion for upcoming games- The Chico's Bail Bonds Security Scramble.

Dear FRANK Francisco,

2009-07-02T06:41:53Z

Dear Mr. Frank Francisco,

We all saw what happened tonight. We all know it was ugly. We hate the Angels, and I hate Juan Rivera even more. Therefore, it shouldn't surprise you that some of us were very angry with you immediately after you surrendered that 3-run shot to the devil himself. But don't worry, I and most of my fellow Rangers fans can easily forgive you for this trespass for a couple of reasons. First, because we won. Secondly, because even if we had not won we recognize all that you have done for us the first half of this season. And we recognize the fact that you can not be bullpen Jesus with that sub 1 ERA all season long. We knew somebody was going to score multiple runs off of you at some point, we just didn't know when. But now we know, and it happened in the best way possible, during an eventual walk-off win against the hated Angels - an event greater than the thrill of orgasm to some on this board, or which brings about more orgasms for those many LSBers who revel in their promiscuity.

So as you can see, FRANKIE, my hefty son, I did not come here and write this letter-from-the-heart to tease you or mock you after your little mishap against the hated Angels, I came here for something much more important. I have come here today to make a plea. A plea which I would probably guess is shared by a few of my fellow Rangers fans. A plea which could ultimately end up helping my ears, improving my Rangers Ballpark experience, and which could make your entrance onto the field during the World Series look a whole lot more bada$$.

I'm here to write about that strange sequence of beeps and other strange flowing noises which begins each and every time you exit the bullpen and make your way to that sacred mound at The Temple. I don't get it. I don't think many other people do, either. It sounds weird, not that there is anything wrong with that, but it just does not get the job done. In a nutshell, it's weird and the casual fan does not even realize that a big moment for a real baseball fan is occurring at that moment. They don't even know that the closer (the dominating closer, at that ;) is making his way to the mound and warming up .

Now, the more cultured and sophisticated among us may convince themselves that it "sounds good in its own special way" or that it is "unique, therefore it works." Some baseball authoritarians here may say "grrr you can do whatever you want to get yourself motivated, grr the game is all that matters grr grr grr". Valid points all, I mean hey if you get motivated by a series of beeps and honks (heh) that's very weird and it would then be interesting to probe around the thoughts in your brain, but great. Still, I say screw all those people and listen to me and those who agree with me.

Change your closer song, FRANK Francisco. Good gosh, change your warm-up music.

Now I respect whatever caused you to decide to make that your warm-up music. But rest assured, it simply does not suffice as closer material to many. You may be selfish and say that you don't care what we think, and that's ultimately fine as long as you help us win ballgames - but this would just be a nice gesture - to our ears and to our adrenaline levels at the end of ballgames at The Temple.

FRANKIE, listen to me, I would not write a similar letter to any other closer with different (bad) taste in music. Why? Because I love you. That and the fact that I know what you should change your warm-up music to, and no other closer in MLB could pull it off, except you, FRANKIE.

I don't know if you listen to much music, FRANKIE, much less American music, much less hip-hop/rap music, much less DFW hip-hop/rap music. But there is a song that I hear all the time on the radio, and at the clubs these days. It is a VERY popular song right now in many circles, and I believe it could really help you to...

A. be more intimidating coming out of the bullpen (not that you need that, with your low ERA and your strong arms)

B. give you a better identity with casual fans

C. get the fans really riled up at the ballpark.

Here is the song, it is "Franky" by Paper Chaserz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdap_JJWiCk

Every time I hear this song, it pains me that it is not played as your closer music. Because it works just for you because of your name. That and it is very popular right now, along with this style of "music".

Allow me to go ahead and address the critics. They will start criticizing the fact that this sounds like poo-poo to them(no, not Tom Grieve). They are saying this because they are white. I am white too, but I have an open mind and can recognize the fact that this music sounds good to many people, even to myself. Some white Rangers fans, which is all there is at The Temple, may at first be like "hmm... this is interesting". But with this particular song, that is a good thing. They will hear your name in the tune and make the connection and then start thinking the whole situation is cool and bam... YOUR A STAR, and we will have Frankie Francisco videos playing to this song all over YouTube.

Some other critics may say that this song has sexual connotations. I can neither confirm nor deny, considering that I simply think that this song sounds good. I don't investigate the meaning of lyrics. But let me let you in on a little secret - the white, suburban, average Rangers fans like me wouldn't know one way or the other, either, so it doesn't matter.

I love you, FRANKIE Francisco. I LOVE THE RANGERS!!! I am looking forward to seeing you come out of the bullpen to clinch the division, or to send us to the ALCS, or to the World Series. Or to win the World Series. I want those moments to be great and as memorable and fun as possible. I think changing your warm-up music would help almost every Rangers fan's future memories of the playoffs.

Love,

dstar442005

P.S. Chuck Morgan and the powers that be, I know that y'all are reading this, it would be cool if y'all could pull some strings.

P.S.S. Only the first 2 minutes would play. Within those two minutes, there is no clearly explicit material as there is later on.