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August 2009
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Baseball: April 2009 ArchivesThere are some basic rules you follow as a sports broadcaster. Apparently, MLB Network announcer Matt Vasgersian never got the memo. He made two bizarre comments while showing video of an injury to the Colorado Rockies' Brad Hawpe. The analysts beside him were beside themselves. What's more he has the gall to ask the folks in the control room to replay the video so he can compare an EMT to Eagles QB Donovan McNabb. Wow. That'...
In just a few hours Darren O'Day went from being picked up on a waivers claim by the Texas Rangers to crossing the border to Canada to being called in to pitch in a 7-7 game with runners on first and second in the bottom of the 11th. He didn't even have his own jersey (he wore Kason Gabbard's #30). His teammates had never met him. It didn't go well. The sidearm righty gave up a gapper to Toronto's Kevin Millar. Arling...
I just returned from a weekend trip to New England to visit a long-time friend who is getting his MBA in Boston. Trip and his wife Rachel were great hosts, and as usual we had a fantastic time. We enjoyed some clam...
What a night for the UTA baseball team... a record hit streak and a player hits for the cycle. Here's the official release from UTA: Tuesday night was a historic evening for the UT Arlington baseball team as Andrew Kainer improve his hit streak to 27 games - breaking the all-time school record - and Michael Choice became the sixth Maverick player ever to hit for the cycle going 4-for-4 in the Mavs' 23-7 victory over Northwood U...
Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington's job is safe, for now. Since that sparkling opening series for the Rangers, it's been mostly dreadful -- save for that 19-6 win last week that included Ian Kinsler's cycle. After the opening sweep of the Indians the Rangers are 2-7 and the inevitable talk of firing Washington has surfaced, well except from general manager Jon Daniels. "Ron's our manager," Daniels said Monday. "I ...
It was much much sooner than expected, but the Rangers have called up hotshot pitcher Derek Holland from AAA. He is expected to begin in the bullpen, but could eventually move into the rotation. Obviously, the club's brass felt it had to do something, while the pitching staff and bullpen continue to go up in flames. The d...
The Texas Rangers released this special addendum on how Ian Kinsler's 6-for-6 cycle ranks historically. Here's George Riba's take. And here's more on the amazing night in local sports. FROM THE ELIAS SPORTS BUREAU We've all heard about Ian Kinsler's spectacular night, hitting for the cycle on a 6-for-6 night, but did you know he's the first player in 119 years to do that. The last player to get six hits and hit for the cycle was William Farmer Weaver who did it on August 12, 1890 when he was playing for the Louisville Colonels. Kinsler also tied a number of Rangers records enroute to becoming the only Texas player with six hits in a nine inning ...
For a minute Wednesday night I thought I was going to wear out the previous channel button on my TV remote. Two games, Mavs-Rockets and Rangers-Orioles, were entertaining and compelling two entirely different ways. One was tight most of the game with comebacks and emotion, and playoff seeding at stake. The other was an old-fashioned blowout, a drubbing that including some amazing individual performances, including Ian...
Here is the Texas Rangers' announcement on the death of former Rangers broadcaster Merle Harmon: The Texas Rangers today issued the following statement on the passing of former broadcaster Merle Harmon, who died this afternoon at the age of 82: "Major League Baseball and the Texas Rangers have lost a legendary play-by-play announcer and a great friend. Merle Harmon called games with distinction and class in his nearly 40 years ...
Maybe something positive to look forward to from the Rangers bullpen, maybe. Here's the official release from the Rangers: The Texas Rangers announced today that the club has recalled right-handed pitcher Willie Eyre from his rehabilitation assignment and activated him from the 15-day disabled list. To make room on the 25-man roster for Eyre, the club has optioned right-handed pitcher Warner Madrigal to Triple-A Oklahoma City...
It's safe to say that fan apathy has never been greater in Arlington. The Rangers' smallest crowd ever at the Ballpark in Arlington (Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, or Ameriquest Field, or the Park With The Terrible Traffic) on Monday served notice. Fans are not only fed up...they don't care. And they are stayin...
I am really bothered by that mental error Kinsler made last night (to review, Texas was down by 1 in the 9th inning. Kinsler led off with a double, and then when Michael Young hit a screamer to right-centerfield, Kinsler initially stayed on the base to tag up, but then started running when he thought the ball would drop in. It was caught, Kinsler didn't advance to third on the fly out, and the Rangers never scored the tying run). I lik...
I guess you could say that I've always had a weird fixation on Philadelphia sports fans. Maybe it's because I went to college there. Maybe it's because I've seen one too many Cowboys/Eagles game. Maybe it's because I was nearly assaulted at Lincoln Financial Field, wearing a DeMarcus Ware jersey a few years back. Anyone watching this Rangers game? What is Ian Kinsler doing? He had a great double to lead off the inning, but then when Michael Young had his long fly ball tracked down at the wall, Kinsler did not tag, and is still at second base as I write this. With nobody out, Kinsler HAS to tag up - if the ball drops, he might score anyway. Now it's up to Andruw Jones, who hit a MONSTER home run in his last at bat. ...If you were a young boy f...
After a three-game sweep of the Cleveland Indians to start the season fans began to have high expectations for the Texas Rangers. Boy did that change quick. From sweeping to being swept, it was a much different Rangers team in Detroit. Against the Indians in Arlington the Rangers got timely hitting, good starting pitching and decent relief. The weekend series was ugly as the Rangers had their record evened to 3-3. There were a lot of people who purchased cars in Arlington last month pulling for the Rangers and against the Yankees this week. That's because, if you bought a car between March 1st and 21st at Vandergriff Honda and then the Rangers went 4-0 and the Yankees 0-4 to start the season, the car would be free. Now what are the chances that could happen? Probably 1 in a... well, 1 in a lot. Zelch! But just in case, the dealership bought a $...
Anyone watching this game? Texas is up on Cleveland 7-1 in the bottom of the 2nd, with nobody out. And now Carl Pavano is being taken out for a relief pitcher. Wow. The Rangers have been absolutely bombing - Marlon Byrd hit a big home run to center in the first, and Ian Kinsler has a 2-run shot to left in the 2nd. It's fun to get excited about the Rangers, even if it is only the third game out of 162. ...Closers. You don't think they're important, until some soft-throwing lefty gives up 3 runs in the 9th inning. I'm watching the Angels-A's game, and Brian Fuentes just blew a save. LA entered the 9th up by a 4-3 score, and now they're down 6-4 in the bottom of the 9th. Closers seem to have an easy job - just get 3 outs without giving up a run (or 2 or 3). Francisco Rodriguez is now a Met, so it was up to Fuentes to close it out for the...
Some Texas Rangers fans got a chance to eat and meet with their favorite Rangers players today at the team's annual Welcome Home Luncheon in Arlington. Prior to the luncheon at a VIP reception Rangers Manager Ron Washington and players alike all spoke of a common theme, "camaraderie" Washington says that the clubhouse is as good as it could possibly be. He says that because the majority of the guys have now been together for th...
The way some have reacted to the Rangers' 9-1 win on Opening Day, you'd think playoff tickets were going to be printed tomorrow. Fantasy baseball nerds everywhere are picking up Kevin Millwood. Outfielder Marlon Byrd said after the game that no one can play with the Rangers, provided their pitching shows up. And even the former President delivered a strike. Overreacting and Opening Day go hand in hand. You can bet Yankee fans a...
Was I at a Rangers' game today or was it a Lakers' game? Because the Rangers Ballpark at Arlington seemed more like the Staples Center with all the celebrities on hand taking in Opening Day. Former President George W Bush, his wife Laura and their twin daughters Barbara and Jenna were there. The Governor of Texas, Rick Perry was there. Of course, the Tom Hicks family and Nolan Ryan family were in their seats along the first base line....
Rangers pitcher Kevin Millwood gets a lot of grief from fans. He makes more than $10 million a year and is the first pitcher in the Rangers rotation. He should be an ace. He hasn't looked like, though, for most of his first three years with the Rangers. He had 2.86 ERA to lead the American League in 2005 for the Indians. As a Ranger his ERAs have been 4.52, 5.16 and 5.07. He has 35 wins in three years. Not ace stats. ...
At first, Michael Young didn't want to move to third base. After all he'd already moved once for the team, from second to short. But he's made the move and while it's a little odd seeing him on the hot corner, he appears to be settling in. His first action at third came in an easy pop up from former Ranger Travis Hafner. As for his replacement at short, 20-year-old Elvis Andrus... well he's having a good start...
Here's the Rangers' starting lineup for their first game of 2009. Note Marlon Byrd starting, not David Murphy. 1. Kinsler, 2B Every opening day, well almost everyone, there is some hope among Texas Rangers fans. There should be and there is some this season too. Take outfielder Josh Hamilton's prediction of more than 90 wins, for one. It's been a decade since the Rangers made the playoffs, but there are some signs things could be better in 2009. Pitchin...
The Texas Rangers start another season today at the Ballpark in Arlington and the Rangers think they're gonna be good this year. Now there's something we've never heard before. The Rangers say that almost every year, and 3 or 4 times in their 37 years they've been right. But if not this year, maybe soon. And if a baseball fan can't believe in April we all lose a little something that we should never give up. ...We all know Josh Hamilton can hit prodigious shots out of the ballpark, but his prediction for the upcoming season just as prodigious. The assembled media asked Hamilton twice about his prediction for the year and then what he thought would make for a successful season. Both times he said he expected this team to finish 10-15 games ABOVE .500. Do the math - that would be between 91 and 96 wins. Maybe Hamilton needs a little R...
UPDATED This comes as Hicks is seeking minority investors for the Rangers and Stars, including Rangers President and former pitcher Nolan Ryan. "We continue to interview prospective partners for the team, and we are optimisti...
The Texas Rangers want you in the stands at the ballpark on Friday nights, so they're cutting you a deal (well except for when the Boston Red Sox come to Arlington). Also below is the schedule of events for opening day, Monday. From the Texas Rangers: The Texas Rangers have already made Friday a special night at the ballpark with 12 fireworks shows. Now fans can also receive great discounts on tickets and parking on t...
10. You smell that? It's the fresh cut grass at the Ballpark. Nothing's better than a fresh start 9. 20-13-1 record in Spring Training - only the Angels and Yankees had better records in the AL this spring 8. Ian Kinsler leading off 7. New scoreboard and renovations at the Ballpark 6. Will Nelson Cruz bring his .342 from last season in the minors with him to the clean-up spot? 5. Young Guns: Chris Davis ...
A couple years ago there were rumors the Texas Rangers would try to land pitcher Kris Benson for their rotation. Now they have. The Dallas Morning News is reporting Benson has been told he's made the rotation. That means Scott Feldman will go to the bullpen, along with Jason Jennings and "Easy" Eddie Guardado. What's most interesting about Benson is not his stats. He's started every MLB games he's played in (195) and is 68-73....
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