This is a bad one.  The computer models had been all over the place but now are in better agreement that the storm will get fairly close to the Metroplex.  One respected model even shows Gustav stalling over North Texas through next Saturday.

  Meanwhile, out in the Gulf, it is predicted that the hurricane will briefly hit Cat 5 after passing over Cuba, then revert to Cat 4 before landfall.  While there is a part of me that digs wild weather, there is also a knot in my stomach, knowing how many lives will be changed forever by this monster.

This was posted today on www.uniwatchblog.com.

Uni Watch News Ticker: This has to be filed in the “Rumor” category for now, but Chris Josephson, who’s part of the Rangers’ TV crew in Arlington, checked in last night with the following: “I’ve heard from a few different people in the press box that the Rangers will have a few jersey changes next year. First off, none of the jerseys will say ‘Rangers’ anymore — every jersey will have ‘Texas,’ just like the current road grays and blue alternates. There’s also talk of a red alternate being thrown into the rotation. No word on what it will look like. I personally hate the idea of a red jersey, but fans have been calling for red’s return because the Rangers haven’t made the playoffs since the team got rid of the red about 10 years ago.”

I heard on the radio broadcast tonight that Hamilton is hitting something like .260 since the AS break, and at game's end tonight, his average had dropped to .300 even.  I'm wondering if, despite all the wonderful publicity and the jaw-dropping home run derby, he might be slip-sliding out of the favorite's spot in the MVP race.  ARod did win the prize hitting .298 recently, I might point out.

For awhile, it appeared that Kinsler might be his chief rival, but Ian has also cooled considerably.  Justin Morneau is lurking in the shadows, and he has nice hardware already on his mantel.  Can Cliff Lee swoop in and carry off both the Cy Young and the MVP?  The last AL pitcher to win an MVP was Dennis Eckersley in '92.

Is Josh going to have to step it up a bit offensively or do you think his feel-good story can suffice?

I'm wondering if the smooth moves of Jon Daniels last summer had league GM's playing more cautious with their minor league prospects this time around.  Daniels has received lots of plaudits for restocking the Ranger minor league teams with two adroit moves, those involving Gagne and Teixeira.

So as this year's trade deadline approached, were other GM's leary of emptying their own systems having seen what happened to Boston and Atlanta last year?

I'm a little confused as to how we got to where we are today, namely looking for a club who'll part with prospects to get him.  I consider him a serviceable 3B who may figure it out and someday be a stud.  So, which of these reasons is it?

1.  We are comfortable with Vasquez there for the foreseeable future.

2.  We are frustrated by Blalock's hitting.

3.  We are frustrated by his defense.

4.  We are frustrated by his rash of injuries.

So is it one of the above or a combination of these?

My son thought it would be a good idea to compare the hitting stats of Juan Gonzalez during his noteworthy year of 1998 to those of resident beasticon, Josh Hamilton, through July 17 of their respective years.  What he found was remarkable similarity...

Thru 7/17 of respective year      G   PA  AB  R   H  2B 3B HR RBI BB SB   BA  OBP  SLG OPS
  96 420 384  64 113 28  1   26 101  24    1  .294  .336  .576  .912 Gonzalez
  93 425 377  60 117 22  3   21 095  37    7  .310  .367  .552  .919 Hamilton