Still more Sammy

by Adam J. Morris on Feb 27, 2007 2:07 PM CST in News Comment 22 comments

SI has a piece on the return of Sammy Sosa...

Bleah.

And reading this piece, I'm trying to figure out how we went from, Sammy Sosa is a no-risk NRI who will be released if he doesn't perform this spring, to, Sosa is going to be DHing and will get a month or two during the season to try to get his groove back...

Oh, and here's why I'm not re-assured by Rudy Jaramillo's contention that Sosa can still hit:

"Just write it down," Rudy said. "Nevin is back. Quote me. The bat speed is there. The gut he had when we got him last season is gone. He's in top physical shape. I see big things from Nevin. He can hit cleanup if Hank doesn't, but both can be in the middle of the order for us."

That's from a Randy Galloway column dated March 4, 2006...in other words, basically this time last year.

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No surprise to me

I never had much doubt that this would be the case with Sammy once they signed him.

As for the Rudy quotes, it's pretty much what is said in every camp this time of year. Everyone is healthy, in great shape, and is going to have a great year.

Milk, milk, lemonade, around the corner fudge is made.

by Chris Martin on Feb 27, 2007 2:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Adam quote

I certainly hope that Jaramillo is right, about Blalock and Nevin both. Big seasons from those two, and the Rangers are likely going to be right there with the A's atop the A.L. West this season.

Just replace Nevin with Wilkerson and it's 2007.

Milk, milk, lemonade, around the corner fudge is made.

by Chris Martin on Feb 27, 2007 2:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

rudy

things like this are why i'm not sold that he's the greatest hitting instructor ever. I still feel this club would be best served using botts as the dh platoon with cat.

Pimps be damned, it's harder out here for a Rangers fan!

by rentz on Feb 27, 2007 2:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Sosa article

Here's one that's kind of interesting from the Denver Post.

http://test.denverpost.com/ci_5295717

He mentions how he's been great for the game of baseball, and some other tidbits.

Texas Rangers: baby step to 2007. Baby step to 2007.

by WyoRanger on Feb 27, 2007 2:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I didn't recall that.

Since the number one reason for my bullishness on Sosa was Rudy, and I didn't recall that quote, I guess its time to crawfish.

The big differences between Sosa and Nevin, is that Nevin had a guaranteed contract, and Daniels has been publicly a little cautious on Sosa. I think there is a better chance of the Rangers cutting bait on Sosa.

"I think that Donald Rumsfeld will go down in history as one of the worst secretaries of defense in history" -- John McCain

by DJCahill on Feb 27, 2007 2:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

JD

is my only hope on this. He seems to be showing some willpower these days and is getting his legs under himself as a GM. If he doesn't think Sosa is better than the other options they have, I hope he says, "sorry Ron, Rudy, he has to go."

Washington is making me very nervous, being so commited to Sosa already. Let's see him in at least one ST game before we anoint him the 5th hitter in the lineup.

by t ball on Feb 27, 2007 2:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So far Washington

is 100% committed to Blalock playing against lefties and righties, and 100% committed to Sosa.

I'm hoping that is more morale boosting rah rah than reality. If folks don't perform, I hope he is able to adjust.

"I think that Donald Rumsfeld will go down in history as one of the worst secretaries of defense in history" -- John McCain

by DJCahill on Feb 27, 2007 3:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

i was going to call you out. i've never really had faith in jaramillo - but really anybody who's main evidence for arguments is their instinct.

"I want him focused on figuring out a way to beat that lefty's ass." - RW

by ab03 on Feb 27, 2007 2:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope

you are right on cutting bait, but I'm beginning to fear Adam was right (and I was wrong) on the Sosa signing. We shouldn't trust everything we read, of course, but it could really help suck the life out of the season watching Sosa struggle for two-three months trying and failing to get his groove back. I'd rather watch Botts (or another young player) struggle than Sosa.

by rodinuk on Feb 28, 2007 1:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If that's true

then the Rangers are screwed, because they have a hitting coach who is bad at evaluating hitters, and a GM who either doesn't realize when someone is done, or is too frightened to pull the trigger to dump a NRI.

I think right now Im gonna pretend they know what they are doing. Because if they don't, the franchise is probably screwed for another 5 years.

"I think that Donald Rumsfeld will go down in history as one of the worst secretaries of defense in history" -- John McCain

by DJCahill on Feb 28, 2007 2:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ummm

remember the nevin for MVP in ST?

by knockoutking24 on Feb 27, 2007 2:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yes

I was being facetious when I was promoting that, though.

by Adam J. Morris on Feb 27, 2007 3:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Riiiiiiiiight.

Adam loves him some Phil Nevin.

by Athos on Feb 27, 2007 3:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So does that make him a meat-gazer?

Edwards-Obama '08

by RangerMoto on Feb 27, 2007 3:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This manager

hasnt' managed a game and already I'm kind of bummed we didn't sign manny acta.

he can give inspirational speeches to the media but there are already a handful of comments he's made that don't sound good that people are having to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"I want him focused on figuring out a way to beat that lefty's ass." - RW

by ab03 on Feb 27, 2007 3:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I don't disagree with Jaramillo's comments from

last year. Nevin was great in spring training. So was Wilkerson. For Rudy to say that Nevin was back to form was correct. Spring Training proved that when killed everything pitchers threw at him. Something about that trip from Surprise back to Arlington must have messed with his head, though. Man, he sucked for us.

Don't forget that it was about this time last year that Rudy was diagnosed with cancer and wasn't around to coach anyone.

When all else fails, there's always delusion. - Conan O'Brien

by mtex on Feb 27, 2007 3:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

um no

killing spring training means you can kill triple a pitching. it actually means squat. the problem is that rudy shouldn't have been so adamant or really that the rangers shouldn't have listened.

"I want him focused on figuring out a way to beat that lefty's ass." - RW

by ab03 on Feb 27, 2007 3:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs