RangersTalk 2008 Season Thread

[monosylab1k]

And this team doesn't need someone to learn on the job. Why can't they get someone with a proven track record? And don't say " well Jon Hart was experienced"...many people had a problem with him in Cleveland and the moment he came here.

So you want to fire JD and Washington and get new guys in town and start over again? Basically do what Tom Hicks has done for the past decade? Stupid. Just stupid.

[monosylab1k]

And 3 weeks ago you couldn't find a Stars fan in DFW.

[sribb43]

FIRE WASH.....before you fire JD see how some of the young players he has acquired pan out

[sribb43]

Rangers had zero errors today....things are looking up

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

They did just face two of the best lineups in all of baseball. Still, aren't going to win many games giving up almost 10 runs/game in that span.

[Melmart1]

So you want to fire JD and Washington and get new guys in town and start over again? Basically do what Tom Hicks has done for the past decade? Stupid. Just stupid.

NO SHIT!!!

These idiots calling for changes ... why call guys who clearly arent meant for promotion from AAA up ... why, to salvage an already-shitty season?

Do these idiots realize that if we called Hurley up now ... not only has he struggled in AAA so far with an ERA approaching seven ... but if the Rangers call him up before the AS break, that means his clock starts early and he is under Rangers control for one less year ... those bitching about how little control the Rangers have over young potential aces should take stock ... Of course, if they gave a shit about this team through the lean times, they would already know this. But I guess Troy Aikman was right when he said that Dallas was a winners town.

Those who don't realize that the Rangers, despite their shitty record aren't on the right path are not paying attention

Just remember, all you jackass idiots who obviously don't follow the Rangers other than when they occasionally win a game ... this team is STILL headed in the right direction, whether you choose to acknowledge this fact or not. People who have been there the WHOLE time and never gave up realize this .. the rest of you are either delusional or fairweather.

[Evan]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28508

[katyon6th]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6401

[sribb43]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28508

:depressed

[sribb43]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6401

:depressed

[sribb43]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6191

[FirebatMIV]

Hey, folks that like to say stupid shit. How bout a forum bet.

If Volquez outperforms Josh Hamilton in terms of VORP this year (disregarding injury) or if either Danks or Volquez end the season with a sub-4 ERA, I'll sport a sig of your choice. If neither of those things occur, you'll wear a sig of my choice for a year.

Any takers?

[FirebatMIV]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4652

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28582

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28526

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28663

Also, the question you ask yourself is not "is Josh Hamilton good", but "is Josh Hamilton the best Centerfielder in the league?"

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Max%20Ramirez&pos=C&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=445615

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Chris%20Davis&pos=3B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=448801

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Elvis%20Andrus&pos=SS&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=462101

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=John%20Mayberry&pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=460055


This team is much better talent wise top-to-bottom from having Daniels.

[sribb43]

Hamilton is a stud but I guess the Rangers have to hit rock bottom before they can come back up...Too bad they did start this rebuilding 5 years ago

[TheTruth]

Reds SP Edinson Volquez struck out a career-high 10 in seven innings Sunday at San Francisco, winning for the fourth time in five starts. He allowed one run and five hits in seven innings, walking three. Volquez retired 12 of the final 14 he faced. His ERA actually rose sightly from 1.21 to 1.23.

[sribb43]

^
:depressed

[FirebatMIV]

Fred Lewis
Eugenio Velez
Randy Winn
Aaron Rowand
Daniel Ortmeier
John Bowker
Jose Castillo
Steve Holm
Brian Bocock
Barry Zito

This is

A) Firebat's intermurals basketball team
B) Firebat's classmates for his Chem 332 class
or C) The lineup Edinson Volquez faced today.

[atlfan25]

Definitely should be A. Firebat's intramural basketball team.

God knows Barry Zito shouldn't be playing baseball.

[monosylab1k]

Edinson Volquez should still be in Texas. Because we all know that hard throwing righty's have always had great success at the Ballpark :td

[atlfan25]

that mutherfucker volquez has some nasty shit

[traitoravery]

So do you guys think Washington is on the hot seat? Do you pull him or do you keep him?

[sribb43]

So do you guys think Washington is on the hot seat? Do you pull him or do you keep him?

the one thing i thopught wash would bring to this team would be solid defense and this team has failed in that category miserably

[Melmart1]

http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/05/hamilton-is-al-player-of-the-month.html

Hamilton Wins AL Player of the Month for April

Josh Hamilton's ridiculous April has earned him AL Player of the Month honors. To review his month:

• 32 RBIs, most in the majors and tied for the third most in April by any player in history

• Also led all AL players in total bases (68), extra base hits (17), and hits (38) by month's end, ranking among league leaders in average (4th, .330), slugging (5th, .591), and doubles (T3rd, 10)

• Oh, and he made more than a few nice plays in the outfield too

• He's the first Rangers player to win the award since Mark Teixeira in July 2004 and the first outfielder in more than 10 years (Juan Gonzalez, Sept. 1997)

His ridiculous catch of that ball in the eighth inning last night saved a close 3-2 game for the Rangers and induced a double play.

Don't look now, but the Rangers have won their last two series and a win tonight or tomorrow coupled with last night's win means three series wins in a row. The defense still needs work but overall is improving. Still not a great team but definitely improving and working through their troubles. I still think this is a .500 team and will only get better next season.

[Whisky Dog]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8094014/The-end-could-be-near-for-these-three-skippers?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=3498

One hint will suffice, but often there are several.

A manager turns paranoid. The front office grows impatient. Players become disillusioned. Fans demand a scapegoat.

Changes usually occur around the 40-game mark, a reasonable sample when judging a team's performance. Several clubs, however, soon might accelerate their timetables.

The Reds fired their general manager, Wayne Krivsky, after 21 games. At least three managers look vulnerable, even though it is only May 1.

The Rangers' Ron Washington and Blue Jays' John Gibbons might not last another week. The Mets' Willie Randolph also could be in jeopardy before long.

In each case, the manager is not blameless, but also not solely responsible. In each case, a dismissal almost certainly would increase the scrutiny on the GM.

A look at each situation:


Ron Washington
If the Rangers intend to keep Washington as their manager, they should say so. Instead, Washington and his coaches continue to dangle, seemingly operating on a series-to-series basis.

Is it so difficult to reach a decision?

The Rangers' 10-18 record is the worst in the majors. The team is not good enough to contend in the AL West. Either club officials want Washington or they don't.

On Saturday, Rangers GM Jon Daniels told reporters, "Ron is our manager. I'm a Ron Washington man." New team president Nolan Ryan said he wanted to see how the team responded to adversity.

Since then, the Rangers are 2-2 against Minnesota and Kansas City. On Friday, they begin a seven-game trip to Oakland and Seattle.

The logical replacement for Washington would be former Rangers and Reds manager Jerry Narron, who joined the team as a consultant shortly after the start of spring training. But Narron alone would make little difference; too many Rangers pitchers succeed only after they depart, and the current roster is a mess.

Daniels made several ill-advised trades early in his tenure. He told Washington to play designated hitter/first baseman Jason Botts, who has since been designated for assignment. And he is getting little return on the combined $7.6 million he spent last off-season on pitchers Jason Jennings, Eddie Guardado and Kaz Fukumori.

If the Rangers want to fire Washington, they could justify it by pointing to their inexcusably sloppy play. But if they're unsure, Ryan and Daniels should issue a joint statement saying, "We will continue evaluating the team until the All-Star break. At that point we will decide on Ron's status for the rest of the season."

At that point, at least Washington, his coaches and players could breathe.

[Whisky Dog]

I just saw Hamilton won AL player of the month. Damn good for a kid on a shitty team.

[Melmart1]

I don't think firing Ron Washington will do anything except maybe send the team into more disarray. Nolan is right, let's see how the team responds to adversity.

What I wish they would do is DFA Broussard and go with a Catalonotto/Shelton platoon at 1B. Trade Laird or make him your backup behind Salty. This switching time evenly seems pretty stupid to me. Keep Boggs up and see what he can do, and make Byrd your backup OF once he comes back from the DL, which is supposed to be next week.

Ponson has pitched two excellent games, keep him up and see what he can do for us. Gabbard is coming back which means spot starts by guys like AJ Murray tonight will hopefully not be happening much longer.

A long ways to go but again, I still think this team is much better (not great, mind you) than their record indicates.

[sribb43]

Welcome the Oklahoma City Rangers to Arlington

[Evan]

I don't think firing Ron Washington will do anything except maybe send the team into more disarray. Nolan is right, let's see how the team responds to adversity.

Adversity? Thats all this franchise has ever known. :lol

[TheTruth]

God damn Josh Hamilton is a stud.

[T Park]

Josh Hamilton would bring in alot of pitching from a team like say, o.... the Cardinals :D

[Evan]

When Tom Hicks took control of the Texas Rangers midway through the 1998 season (making George W Bush rich in the process), the Rangers had a pretty good team. They had won the AL West division (which comprises 4 teams) in 1996 and went on to repeat this under Hicks in 1998 & 1999.

The results since then have been unbelievably poor, with the Rangers’ finishes in the division as follows:

2000 4th
2001 4th
2002 4th
2003 4th
2004 3rd
2005 3rd
2006 3rd
2007 4th

It’s a situation very similar to that at Corinthians - initial success followed by a dramatic decline as mismanagement, poor decision-making and the quest for profits took a toll on the team’s performances on the field.

There’s already a post on this blog quoting Tom Hicks’ attitude toward his sports businesses: “It’s not about winning”. That’s not to say that he’s averse to winning - especially if it brings in more money and profit - but that winning only matters to Hicks in that it means more bums on seats and more consumers using their hard-earned wage to line his pockets.

Some may point to the infamous (even in the UK) $252m A-Rod contract as evidence that Hicks is a ‘big spender’. This act of gross mismanagement took place back in 2001, when poor performance led Hicks to attempt to jump start the money wagon with what was, essentially, a massive PR stunt.

But that’s not what Rangers fans wanted. They didn’t want a marquee player being brought in at the expense of the rest of the team. They wanted a (hopefully winning) team with players who understood what it meant to play for the uniform. Thus, A-Rod’s arrival generated only 30k in extra ticket sales in 2001 (certainly not what Hicks had expected), with a drop in total sales of 480k the following year and a further drop in 2003 of 260k.

Since that incident, Hicks appears to have reverted to his original philosophy - the “really trying” philosophy. Why spend so much on players when just giving the appearance of doing so might be sufficient? Consider the statment he made on taking control of the Rangers:

“This is one of the best franchises in the country. It’s in a world class facility. You don’t even have to win a championship every year to draw the fans. You just have to show you’re really trying.”

Now consider the following passage from the official MLB site in June last year:
“Daisuke Matsuzaka was in the visiting clubhouse on Friday. The Rangers really expected him to be in their clubhouse when they submitted a $27 million bid when he was posted this winter. The Rangers were shocked when they heard the Boston Red Sox bid $51.1 million.

“Absolutely,” Rangers owner Tom Hicks said. “I couldn’t believe it. We thought we were going to win at $27 million.”

Signing Matsuzaka would have made a significant difference in the Rangers payroll.
So would have signing Barry Zito, who turned down an offer that was potentially worth $99 million. Instead the Rangers open the season with a payroll of approximately $68 million that could rise to $75 million if Sammy Sosa and Eric Gagne reach all their incentives.

Only three teams in the American League have a payroll lower than the Ranges but Hicks said, “There wasn’t a player out there who we didn’t go after because of money. We went after the players we wanted. We just didn’t get a couple of the players we wanted.”

You just have to show you’re really trying!

And to emphasise this new miserly attitude - which has led to the Dallas Observer recently referring to him as a “billionaire buying knock-offs” - consider the following FACT: the Rangers are now ranked 21st in basic payroll out of the 30 MLB teams. When Tom Hicks took over they had the 5th highest payroll - more in line with their current standing as the nation’s 5th largest media market.

It’s this new-found frugality, along with problems caused by the global credit crunch, that point to a pretty bleak future ahead for the Rangers. Especially given that Hicks now appears to be more interested in the Glorypark development around the stadium - in which he is the primary investor.

The apparent indifference of Rangers fans toward what Hicks has done to their team (with very little in the way of public protest, etc) suggests that a lot have given up hope. Others - primarily his defenders - appear to be suffering from a form of ‘Stockholm syndrome’.

Now that his position is weak, perhaps it’s a good time for Rangers fans to wake from their slumber, join up with Liverpool fans and fight back?

[Melmart1]

Whoever wrote this article is a fool and knows nothing about Rangers fans. I don't know a single Rangers fan who likes Tom Hicks. Not one.

[Melmart1]

And don't look now, but the Rangers have a winning road trip, four series wins in a row and now only have the fourth-worst record in the AL :lol Hey, its better than where they were a few weeks ago. Long ways to go but the signs of life and only being four games under .500 are encouraging. As I maintained before, I still think this is a .500 team.

[Evan]

Whoever wrote this article is a fool and knows nothing about Rangers fans. I don't know a single Rangers fan who likes Tom Hicks. Not one.

Good Lord did you read it?

[Evan]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7639

[Evan]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7808

[Melmart1]

Good Lord did you read it?

Yes, I read it :rolleyes

I was referring to this sentence:

"Others - primarily his defenders - appear to be suffering from a form of ‘Stockholm syndrome’."

Who are his defenders? I don't know a single one. That's what I was referring to.

As for people constantly posting the stats of traded players, it's pretty rediculous. Why waste your time seeing what others are doing, that just makes no sense. Do you keep passing by your ex-girlfriend's house to see who she is dating now or something? Time to move on.

[Evan]

As for people constantly posting the stats of traded players, it's pretty rediculous. Why waste your time seeing what others are doing, that just makes no sense..

Its an important aspect of whats happening to this franchise and who is "rebuilding" it.

[Evan]

Yes, I read it :rolleyes

I was referring to this sentence:

"Others - primarily his defenders - appear to be suffering from a form of ‘Stockholm syndrome’."

Who are his defenders? I don't know a single one. That's what I was referring to..

He has defenders on the radio and media. I don't know of a single person personally though either.

[monosylab1k]

As for people constantly posting the stats of traded players, it's pretty rediculous.

Bitching for the sake of bitching, nothing more. I guess we're better off without Josh Hamilton, because we know Volquez had a great history of not getting shelled at The Ballpark. We know that hard-throwing rightys ALWAYS succeed at The Ballpark :td

[Melmart1]

Its an important aspect of whats happening to this franchise and who is "rebuilding" it.

If that's how you want to spin it ...

While I agree the San Diego trade was bad, the Danks-McCarthy is still too early to tell and I don't see what the obsession is in regards to Volquez-Hamilton when both have been doing so well for their teams.

I would rather watch the team and see what they are doing now. It's quite fun lately, 8 wins in the last 12 games and even pulling out the close games, two shutouts in a row. But I guess those obsessed with the past can't enjoy the present.

[monosylab1k]

Its an important aspect of whats happening to this franchise and who is "rebuilding" it.

No, it isn't. If it was, you'd post Eric Gagne's stats right now too. I believe Gabbard/Murphy for Gagne was a pertinent rebuilding trade as well.

You're bitching for the sake of bitching, end of story.

[monosylab1k]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6342

[monosylab1k]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=4789

[Evan]

You're bitching for the sake of bitching, end of story.

So you're ok with Daniels?

[Evan]

But I guess those obsessed with the past can't enjoy the present.

Yeah the present is awesome. Go Rangers

[Evan]

We know that hard-throwing rightys ALWAYS succeed at The Ballpark :td

Its always the ballpark.......:lol

[monosylab1k]

So you're ok with Daniels?

He's got a plan and he's sticking with it. Let him see it through, and if his plan fails, then fire him.

I suppose you're okay with Tom Hicks, since you're endorsing his "if it doesn't work immediately, fire everybody and change philosophies, repeat every 2 years" way of doing things.

[monosylab1k]

Its always the ballpark.......:lol

Serious question - do you actually watch the Rangers play? Or do you really just hear what Bad Radio has to say about the team and rehash it as your own opinion?

I'm guessing you're also 100% against Rudy Jaramillo and want Mike Hargrove in town.

[Evan]

He's got a plan and he's sticking with it. Let him see it through, and if his plan fails, then fire him.

I suppose you're okay with Tom Hicks, since you're endorsing his "if it doesn't work immediately, fire everybody and change philosophies, repeat every 2 years" way of doing things.

This isn't immediate.



Serious question - do you actually watch the Rangers play? Or do you really just hear what Bad Radio has to say about the team and rehash it as your own opinion?

I'm guessing you're also 100% against Rudy Jaramillo and want Mike Hargrove in town. .

Been watching since I was a wee little lad.

I don't have a problem with Rudy at all. My only complaint is I wish he forced more patience at the plate.

So if its the ballparks fault them how come others have success?

[Evan]

glad to see someone out there thinks this thing is heading in the right direction...go rangers.

[monosylab1k]

So if its the ballparks fault them how come others have success?

Lefthanders and finesse pitchers have the best chance of success in the ballpark (Gabbard currently, Aaron Sele, Kenny Rogers, Darren Oliver when he didn't have control issues, all examples of this) Not hard throwing righty's. I'm guessing if you paid any attention at all to the Rangers in the past decade (besides bitching about how much they suck) you'd know that.

[Melmart1]

No, it isn't. If it was, you'd post Eric Gagne's stats right now too.

You hit it right on the head.

All of the detractors from the team (and I am guessing this is a JD thing, since he has pulled the trigger on the trades) selectively pull the trades that support their viewpoint, while forgetting others.

Does anyone see how well Gabbard and Murphy have been playing for this team? Murphy is miles and away better than the 4th outfielder projection and Gabbard is the type of lefty like Kenny Rogers who won't dominate or blow people away but has a legit chance of doing well in the Ballpark. All for 1/2 a season of Eric Gagne. And don't get me started on the potential of Engel Beltre.

Mark Teixeira is missed right now, but Atlanta is only two games above .500, in fourth place in their division and no signs of improvement. He has also refused to sign an extension, meaning the Braves gave up a LOT of depth to their farm for a player that is likely to bolt and didn't help them make the playoffs either of his two chances there. Meanwhile, Salty is getting better here and the other four players we got for him are some of the best in a VERY talented and rebuilt Rangers farm.

Oh, and the masher stud that is Max Ramirez for the rotting corpse of Kenny Lofton.

And PLEASE don't tell me that you prefer 2007's outfield to 2008's. The HUGE difference in not only plate production but defense is all due to ... yep, you guessed it, Jon Daniels. The villain who dared to take chances to rebuild a barren farm and try to follow a plan, who dared to take a step back to take two forward. The nerve!

[Evan]

Lefthanders and finesse pitchers have the best chance of success in the ballpark. Not hard throwing righty's. I'm guessing if you paid any attention at all to the Rangers in the past decade (besides bitching about how much they suck) you'd know that.

so you just ignore it when teams somehow manage to have success

your defending just to defend

[monosylab1k]

your defending just to defend

If you posted at all about the Rangers besides in the past 2 months you would know that I'm not a blanket Rangers defender. But you haven't, probably because 2 months ago it wasn't popular in DFW to bitch about how the Rangers suck.

[Evan]

If you posted at all about the Rangers besides in the past 2 months you would know that I'm not a blanket Rangers defender. But you haven't, probably because 2 months ago it wasn't popular in DFW to bitch about how the Rangers suck.

Been bitching about how they suck for a looooooooooooooong time.

you two are obviously good fans and I swear I want to support this team so bad…but man…its just so f-cking hard to see this team trip over its own shoes time and time again

[Melmart1]

Been bitching about how they suck for a looooooooooooooong time.

you two are obviously good fans and I swear I want to support this team so bad…but man…its just so f-cking hard to see this team trip over its own shoes time and time again

I understand your frustration ... I have been a fan for nearly 20 years and there are some seasons I didn't even want to watch. But after that long as a fan you have to be able to see progress when it is (finally!) being made.

Part of that is not obsessing over miscues and ESPECIALLY not having selective memory and only bashing JD for the one truly bad trade and calling others bad that have yet to really be evaluated, then forgetting how well others have gone.

[Evan]

I understand your frustration ... I have been a fan for nearly 20 years and there are some seasons I didn't even want to watch. But after that long as a fan you have to be able to see progress when it is (finally!) being made.

Part of that is not obsessing over miscues and ESPECIALLY not having selective memory and only bashing JD for the one truly bad trade and calling others bad that have yet to really be evaluated, then forgetting how well others have gone.

I am trying to be balanced and seeing the good. Seriously I am.

But to me as a fan, I just see it far more balanced to the bad trades than good trades.

My last hope and the only reason I am even wasting time thinking about the Rangers anymore is that wonderful human known as Nolan Ryan. :toast

[FirebatMIV]

I am trying to be balanced and seeing the good. Seriously I am.

But to me as a fan, I just see it far more balanced to the bad trades than good trades.

My last hope and the only reason I am even wasting time thinking about the Rangers anymore is that wonderful human known as Nolan Ryan. :toast

God dammit, I now have to apologize to most of the people in this thread. People, sorry when I said there's a lot of retardation in this thread. There's not, there's just a lot of retardation from one source.

Seriously 1) did you really expect the team to compete this year? If you did, you're either dellusional or an idiot. I said it before, and I'll say it again - this team, I believe is a 80 win team as constructed at the beginning of the season. Some things haven't worked out (B-Mac going down hurt, Jennings sucking, Hank getting taken down while he was the 2nd best hitter in the lineup, injuries to MY), but it's been made up by the good things (Boggs, Murphy, Hambone, Padilla). What we're seeing now is essentially this team's performance level - somewhere between 5 over and 5 under 500. How is this any different from expected performance?

2) I will say it again, John Danks and Edinson Volquez will both be fortunate if either finishes with sub 4 ERAs this year. I am still willing to make that bet, cause I, unlike some people, seem to be able to comprehend the concept that a baseball season lasts longer than 1 go around around the league. What was Dank's April and May ERA last year Evan? What is it? ANd look at what his ERA was for the rest of the year.

He's a guy that has a history of wearing down, and I doubt Volquez keeps pitching anywhere near this level. I can see legitimate complaints about the Chris Young trade, it was pretty bad and we knew that at the beginning. But the Danks and Volquez trades are unknowns at this point, but I'll tell you that Josh Hamilton is the most talented player the Rangers have had in a long time. Maybe since A-Rod, but not as much of a flake.

3) You want to talk about direction? Seriously? How bout this for direction

1. Getting Max Ramirez (.398/480/1.200+ OPS in AA Frisco) for Kenny Lofton.
2. Getting Murphy, Gabbard, and Engel Beltre (.268/.301/402 as an 18 year old in A Clinton) for Eric Gagne
3. Getting guys like Chris Davis, Taylor Teagarden, German Duran, Robert Wilkins, and shelling out money to build a minor league organization that's one of the best in the MLB.
4. Restarting the Latin America Academy, something that John Hart criminally neglected.
5. Not making stupid signings like Barry Zito, not making rash decisions like trading Vincente Padilla for pennies on the dollar, understanding the art of making short term deals (Lofton, Bradley and Gagne) and knowing which players to take a chance on.

Has there been bad trades? Yes. Actually, bad TRADE is more like it because the only legitimate complaint you can have is the CY/A-Gon for the ghost of Adam Eaton/Aki trade. That was a bad deal, but to say the team lacks direction when armed with 20/20 hindsight is idiotic and unproductive.

So either find something new to talk about, or learn a thing or two about baseball, because your takes are as nonsensical as this idiotic belief that a guy who has NEVER done anything in the Front office (Nolan Ryan) is any type of savior for the franchise.

The challenge still stands, if you're not a little Richie Sexson level pussy, you'll either accept it or kindly shut the fuck up.

[Evan]

God dammit, I now have to apologize to most of the people in this thread. People, sorry when I said there's a lot of retardation in this thread. There's not, there's just a lot of retardation from one source.

Seriously 1) did you really expect the team to compete this year? If you did, you're either dellusional or an idiot. I said it before, and I'll say it again - this team, I believe is a 80 win team as constructed at the beginning of the season. Some things haven't worked out (B-Mac going down hurt, Jennings sucking, Hank getting taken down while he was the 2nd best hitter in the lineup, injuries to MY), but it's been made up by the good things (Boggs, Murphy, Hambone, Padilla). What we're seeing now is essentially this team's performance level - somewhere between 5 over and 5 under 500. How is this any different from expected performance?

2) I will say it again, John Danks and Edinson Volquez will both be fortunate if either finishes with sub 4 ERAs this year. I am still willing to make that bet, cause I, unlike some people, seem to be able to comprehend the concept that a baseball season lasts longer than 1 go around around the league. What was Dank's April and May ERA last year Evan? What is it? ANd look at what his ERA was for the rest of the year.

He's a guy that has a history of wearing down, and I doubt Volquez keeps pitching anywhere near this level. I can see legitimate complaints about the Chris Young trade, it was pretty bad and we knew that at the beginning. But the Danks and Volquez trades are unknowns at this point, but I'll tell you that Josh Hamilton is the most talented player the Rangers have had in a long time. Maybe since A-Rod, but not as much of a flake.

3) You want to talk about direction? Seriously? How bout this for direction

1. Getting Max Ramirez (.398/480/1.200+ OPS in AA Frisco) for Kenny Lofton.
2. Getting Murphy, Gabbard, and Engel Beltre (.268/.301/402 as an 18 year old in A Clinton) for Eric Gagne
3. Getting guys like Chris Davis, Taylor Teagarden, German Duran, Robert Wilkins, and shelling out money to build a minor league organization that's one of the best in the MLB.
4. Restarting the Latin America Academy, something that John Hart criminally neglected.
5. Not making stupid signings like Barry Zito, not making rash decisions like trading Vincente Padilla for pennies on the dollar, understanding the art of making short term deals (Lofton, Bradley and Gagne) and knowing which players to take a chance on.

Has there been bad trades? Yes. Actually, bad TRADE is more like it because the only legitimate complaint you can have is the CY/A-Gon for the ghost of Adam Eaton/Aki trade. That was a bad deal, but to say the team lacks direction when armed with 20/20 hindsight is idiotic and unproductive.

So either find something new to talk about, or learn a thing or two about baseball, because your takes are as nonsensical as this idiotic belief that a guy who has NEVER done anything in the Front office (Nolan Ryan) is any type of savior for the franchise.

The challenge still stands, if you're not a little Richie Sexson level pussy, you'll either accept it or kindly shut the fuck up.


The best part is... you spent a long time writing that and I didn't read past the first sentance.

[Evan]

Fire J D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FirebatMIV]

Fire J D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

gee, Dallas Mavericks fan acting like a cunt. Who would've thought.

[Evan]

Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo RANGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FirebatMIV]

Josh Hamilton would bring in alot of pitching from a team like say, o.... the Cardinals :D

The Cardinals have no credible pitchers to give.

[dickface]

I am trying to be balanced and seeing the good. Seriously I am.

:jack

[TheTruth]

Since I'm probably the only Reds fan on this board, I will take firebat's bet. If Volquez finishes with an ERA above 4 I'll put a Rangers Logo in my sig. If he is below you put a Reds' Logo.

I'm taking this bet knowing that Volquez pitches in Great American Ballpark (a better hitters park than The Ballpark) and probably will lose me the bet. BUT damn it I love the kid right now.

[Evan]

:jack

You're right!!!!!!!!!!

This thing is sooooooooo on track!!!

GO RANGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FirebatMIV]

Since I'm probably the only Reds fan on this board, I will take firebat's bet. If Volquez finishes with an ERA above 4 I'll put a Rangers Logo in my sig. If he is below you put a Reds' Logo.

I'm taking this bet knowing that Volquez pitches in Great American Ballpark (a better hitters park than The Ballpark) and probably will lose me the bet. BUT damn it I love the kid right now.

Deal dude, we'll really see what Eddy con Queso is made of when he gets his second go at some of these teams.

[FirebatMIV]

You're right!!!!!!!!!!

This thing is sooooooooo on track!!!

GO RANGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh no!!! This team is a whole 4 games under .500! This sucks, we were supposed to compete this year!

[Evan]

Oh no!!! This team is a whole 4 games under .500! This sucks, we were supposed to compete this year!

WORLD SERIES IS IN AROUND THE CORNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WooooooooTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!11

[FirebatMIV]

10 of the last 14, another 4 game win streak.

Yeah, this is a team that's a mess right now.

The moment you make a legitimate argument about the Rangers, Evan, will be the first. Go back to being a leaking vagina, because being a leaky, sandy vagina that spams a lot doesn't really fit you.

[monosylab1k]

Evan must be really pissed off that we won again tonight. Less stuff to bitch about.

[Melmart1]

http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/05/murphy-is-al-rookie-of-the-month.html

David Murphy won the balloting for the AL Rookie of the Month for April. An online vote of fans counts for 20 percent of the vote totals with writers and broadcasters handling the rest of the voting.

Murphy beat out Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, Detroit RHP Armando Galarraga (former Ranger) and Oakland LHP Greg Smith, who faces the Rangers tonight.

So that's two Rangers outfielders with great Aprils. Josh Hamilton was AL Player of the Month during that same period.

Murphy batted .277 with two homers and 14 RBIs in April and has been so consistent that he's gone from a "fourth outfielder" to a regular contributor in the lineup.

-------------------------

Hells yeah! He beat out some pretty formidable talent to win the award. Murphy came over in the Eric Gagne trade, the one that Evan, sribb and other haters NEVER mention when talking about the direction the team is going.

That means 2/3 of our everyday outfielders won AL Monthly awards. As I said in an earlier post, this year's outfield is WAY better than last year's, and that is completely due to one Jon Daniels. But let's not let that get in the way of posting links to players' stats on other teams :rolleyes

[Evan]

Evan must be really pissed off that we won again tonight. Less stuff to bitch about.

Naw dude...its awesome...we should trade away some more pitching prospects that we can't properly evaluate as we keep playing for next year.


GOOOOOOOOOOO RANGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I often wonder how we will have room for all the banners....

[Evan]

-------------------------

Hells yeah! He beat out some pretty formidable talent to win the award. Murphy came over in the Eric Gagne trade, the one that Evan, sribb and other haters NEVER mention when talking about the direction the team is going.

That means 2/3 of our everyday outfielders won AL Monthly awards. As I said in an earlier post, this year's outfield is WAY better than last year's, and that is completely due to one Jon Daniels. But let's not let that get in the way of posting links to players' stats on other teams :rolleyes

Hell yeah dude!!!!!

JD has done awesome and will totally rebuild this!!!!!!!!!!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO RANGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

[Melmart1]

Hell yeah dude!!!!!

JD has done awesome and will totally rebuild this!!!!!!!!!!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO RANGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Glad to see you finally on board :toast:lol

[Evan]

Glad to see you finally on board :toast:lol

Dude...JD will get it done.

He has such an awesome track record. Premier pitching in MLB is so common why keep it.

[FirebatMIV]

Dude...JD will get it done.

He has such an awesome track record. Premier pitching in MLB is so common why keep it.

Really? One good month by two guys is indicative of "premier pitching?"

A guy that's currently on the worst team in baseball, and has a 4.23 ERA despite playing in the best pitcher's park in the league is an example of premier pitching? Seriously, put your money where your mouth is juicebox, or kindly get a new take. Hey, why don't we get Chris Young updates anymore?

[Evan]

Really? One good month by two guys is indicative of "premier pitching?"

A guy that's currently on the worst team in baseball, and has a 4.23 ERA despite playing in the best pitcher's park in the league is an example of premier pitching? Seriously, put your money where your mouth is juicebox, or kindly get a new take. Hey, why don't we get Chris Young updates anymore?

You aren't hearing me! I am convinced!

JD ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL DA WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[monosylab1k]

Well I suppose it's to be expected that a MMA fanboy would stoop to this level of buffoonery.

[Whisky Dog]

Maybe Hicks finally made a pact with the Devil.

31 consecutive scoreless innings pitched.
41 consecutive innings pitched with only giving up 1 run total.
The Texas Rangers?
How the fuck?

[Evan]

Well I suppose it's to be expected that a MMA fanboy would stoop to this level of buffoonery.

:toast

[traitoravery]

2 games from .500 :toast

[dallaskd]

Rangers will make the playoffs. book it. this is an exciting time to be a rangers fan. last nights game was awesome.

Hamilton for MVP!!!!

and

Volquez for Cy Young!

[dallaskd]

get your brooms out. .500 is coming up.

and only 3.5 out of first!

[monosylab1k]

so where's our daily Edinson Volquez/Chris Young/John Danks/Ruben Sierra/Pudge Rodriguez/Will Clark update? I need to know that the Rangers suck ass because of how awesome former players are doing.

This winning stuff really sucks for some Rangers fans, because now they can't bitch. Sweet vindication :smokin

[Evan]

so where's our daily Edinson Volquez/Chris Young/John Danks/Ruben Sierra/Pudge Rodriguez/Will Clark update? I need to know that the Rangers suck ass because of how awesome former players are doing.

This winning stuff really sucks for some Rangers fans, because now they can't bitch. Sweet vindication :smokin

wow your standards are low….

[monosylab1k]

wow your standards are low….

for someone who loves to point out how the Rangers are the "worst franchise in pro sports history", why exactly are your standards so high?

This team isn't capable of winning a World Series this year. And guess what - they STILL wouldn't be capable of it even if they had Young/Gonzalez/Danks/Volquez. I expected progress, and that's what I'm getting. Obviously as this thing gets better, my expecations will get higher.

This team is one game under .500 playing with a glorified AAA roster. They've been the hottest team in baseball the past 2 weeks. You can't freaking enjoy one second of that?

[Evan]

for someone who loves to point out how the Rangers are the "worst franchise in pro sports history", why exactly are your standards so high?

This team isn't capable of winning a World Series this year. And guess what - they STILL wouldn't be capable of it even if they had Young/Gonzalez/Danks/Volquez. I expected progress, and that's what I'm getting. Obviously as this thing gets better, my expecations will get higher.

This team is one game under .500 playing with a glorified AAA roster. They've been the hottest team in baseball the past 2 weeks. You can't freaking enjoy one second of that?

They aren't that high. There is no worse team in sports in history than this franchise. They haven't won anything but one playoff game.

And for the record I am enjoying this very much. I freaking love this team, I just despise those who run it except for Nolan.

There is not a single person on this roster who I don't like.

[monosylab1k]

They aren't that high.

Coulda fooled me. You take joy in seeing this thing fail.


There is not a single person on this roster who I don't like.

Well screw Daniels for putting a likeable roster out there that's producing.

[Evan]

Coulda fooled me. You take joy in seeing this thing fail..

Oh I do...I think its the only way this thing gets out of the playing for 2 or 3 years down the road cycle.

[monosylab1k]

Oh I do...I think its the only way this thing gets out of the playing for 2 or 3 years down the road cycle.

So what exactly is your suggestion for turning it around? Mike Hargrove? Another retread spare Cleveland Indians executive? :lmao

[Evan]

So what exactly is your suggestion for turning it around? Mike Hargrove? Another retread spare Cleveland Indians executive? :lmao

who said anything about hargrove?

[monosylab1k]

who said anything about hargrove?

oh, so you have no suggestion. You just want mass firings with no plan of action.

How very Tom Hicks of you.

[Evan]

oh, so you have no suggestion. You just want mass firings with no plan of action.

How very Tom Hicks of you.

what does this have to do with hargrove? I'm trying to see where you got that from.

As far as a plan…it doesn't matter as long as JD and Hicks are involved.

[monosylab1k]

what does this have to do with hargrove? I'm trying to see where you got that from.

I guess if you followed the Rangers as closely as you follow the Reds, Padres, & White Sox, you'd know where I got it from.

[Evan]

man you're just arguing to argue now.

[monosylab1k]

man you're just arguing to argue now.

Just give us the daily Volquez/Danks update and leave us the fuck alone.

[Evan]

Just give us the daily Volquez/Danks update and leave us the fuck alone.

:lmao

[whottt]

This team will be winning consistently by the All Star Break. There are some nice players on this team and Nolan will find the pitchers to keep...he's watching.


I know you guys think I am being unrealistic...and I merely suggest you guys take a look at the impact Nolan has had just by talking with other pitchers...impact on guys like Randy Johnson...or even Bobby Witt. Even some Astros from a couple of years back. They'll get it turned around...quicker than anyone thinks.

Baseball does more or less what Noan wants it to do...it's just that simple.

And anyone that thinks he's just sitting on his hands...isn't very familair with him.

[sribb43]

Great move by Wash yesterday to pinch hit with Maryln Byrd, a guy hitting .125 and who hadnt seen the field in over a month. Bases loaded 1 out Rangers down a run and Byrd proceeds to ground into a double play....genius Wash, genius.

Byrd is trash and had a fluke year last season, this is the player he truley is. Wash better not bench Boggs in favor of Byrd

[G-Nob]

Great move by Wash yesterday to pinch hit with Maryln Byrd, a guy hitting .125 and who hadnt seen the field in over a month. Bases loaded 1 out Rangers down a run and Byrd proceeds to ground into a double play....genius Wash, genius.

Byrd is trash and had a fluke year last season, this is the player he truley is. Wash better not bench Boggs in favor of Byrd

Byrd is now 0-11 w/ RISP on the year.
Just when this club has figured out how to win series, crap like this gets this thing going in the opposite direction.

[FirebatMIV]

Byrd is now 0-11 w/ RISP on the year.
Just when this club has figured out how to win series, crap like this gets this thing going in the opposite direction.

Byrd probably shouldn't be on the team at this point of the season. I'd rather see him get some more AAA time.

This roster is hampered a bit because of the lack of utility guys now since both Vazquez and Duran are playing fairly regularly. I expect great things once Hank Blalock gets back.

[sribb43]

Byrd is now 0-11 w/ RISP on the year.
Just when this club has figured out how to win series, crap like this gets this thing going in the opposite direction.

I dont care if Vasquez has to hit the ball against a left hander, he has been hitting the ball great as of late and to insert Byrd in that critical position, really baffels my mind

[monosylab1k]

Josh Hamilton 4 Prez

[Melmart1]

Seventh series win in a row, and ...

.500!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Helll yeah!

[dallaskd]

Byrd is now 0-11 w/ RISP on the year.
Just when this club has figured out how to win series, crap like this gets this thing going in the opposite direction.

As soon as you post that..byrd had a great game yesterday. :tu

[FirebatMIV]

Rangers prospect Matt Harrison just threw a No-no for AA Frisco.

Harrison is 21 year old, a lefty, and throws in the low 90s. Usually not a lot of walks (6 today, though), decent strikeout rates and heavy groundball tendencies.

[GuerillaBlack]

There are a ton of Astros fans in DFW.

[ATRAIN]

Seventh series win in a row, and ...

.500!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Helll yeah!

What happened to that .500 there?

[Melmart1]

What happened to that .500 there?

A three-game losing streak. Inevitable considering how hot they were. But I guess this is an Asstro fan's only solace is to come in here and point this out, considering how far behind they are already in the quest for the only title their sorry asses have a chance at this season.

[ATRAIN]

A three-game losing streak. Inevitable considering how hot they were. But I guess this is an Asstro fan's only solace is to come in here and point this out, considering how far behind they are already in the quest for the only title their sorry asses have a chance at this season.

1 game behind that you Rangers fans hold soo close to your hearts. Talk to me when you guys play in a series.

[FirebatMIV]

1 game behind that you Rangers fans hold soo close to your hearts. Talk to me when you guys play in a series.

Man, I wish I could get to a world series just to get swept. I wish I could represent AAAA league.

The Houston Astros - Just Happy to be Here.

[leemajors]

Man, I wish I could get to a world series just to get swept. I wish I could represent AAAA league.

The Houston Astros - Just Happy to be Here.

hang on to that one postseason victory. you really shouldn't even be talking about this.

[FirebatMIV]

hang on to that one postseason victory. you really shouldn't even be talking about this.

Yankees>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Anyone the Astros ever had to face.

Heck

The Whole AL>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Anyone the Astros Ever had to face, with the exception of Arizona. Since Justin Upton is the Eater of Worlds and the Destroyer of Souls

[leemajors]

Yankees>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Anyone the Astros ever had to face.

Heck

The Whole AL>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Anyone the Astros Ever had to face, with the exception of Arizona. Since Justin Upton is the Eater of Worlds and the Destroyer of Souls

stick to silver boot smack. the leagues are what they are. your excuses are funny though!

[FirebatMIV]

stick to silver boot smack. the leagues are what they are. your excuses are funny though!

Right, it isn't as if one league throughly dominated another in inter-league play, All-Star games and general talent. Oh wait.

[ATRAIN]

Yankees>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Anyone the Astros ever had to face.

Heck

The Whole AL>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Anyone the Astros Ever had to face, with the exception of Arizona. Since Justin Upton is the Eater of Worlds and the Destroyer of Souls



Oh I get it this tool is a Yankees fan. That explains everything. Hey go wait for me in the Yankee forums, ill meet you there. If im late just keep waiting ok.

[Melmart1]

Oh I get it this tool is a Yankees fan. That explains everything. Hey go wait for me in the Yankee forums, ill meet you there. If im late just keep waiting ok.

Uh ... nooooo! :nope

He is a Rangers fan. Rangers fans who know their history hate the Yankees, and I have explained to you why this is before. He is simply stating that the Yankees teams that have eliminated the Rangers in past playoffs were better than anyone the Astros faced to get through the playoffs.

Or at least, that is what I think he is saying :lol

[sribb43]

Trade Ponson right now before he comes back to earth

[dallaskd]

Ponson is a god.

[dallaskd]

Trade Ponson right now before he comes back to earth

Thats what i said about Byrd. And he played bad at the early part of this season but is getting his shit together. Give Ponson time. This could be a huge steal.

[FirebatMIV]

Uh ... nooooo! :nope

He is a Rangers fan. Rangers fans who know their history hate the Yankees, and I have explained to you why this is before. He is simply stating that the Yankees teams that have eliminated the Rangers in past playoffs were better than anyone the Astros faced to get through the playoffs.

Or at least, that is what I think he is saying :lol

Yep. Those Yankee teams were damn good. Much better than the ever-fearsome Atlanta Braves or St. Louis Cardinal teams that the Astros won against.

[ATRAIN]

Yep. Those Yankee teams were damn good. Much better than the ever-fearsome Atlanta Braves or St. Louis Cardinal teams that the Astros won against.



You see my thing is why do you even care? Why do you hate the National league sooooo much. Is by saying the AL is better than the NL your whole argument on why the Astros franchise has been more successful in the post season? In another thread you bash the NL for no reason and now it apparent why. Well first of all the payroll in the AL is significantly higher than most NL teams. You say the Yankees teams were damn good, well no shit. With a $200 million dollar payroll the better be better than most teams. They have been the number one team in payroll for more than a decade. When they played the Rangers(number 10) in 96, they were number 1 in payroll. In 98 number 2 in payroll, while the Rangers were number 6. THEN in 99 guess who was number 1......yup you guessed it. GUESS who was number 2??? THE RANGERS!! Now then, the AL has the DH. They don't have a pitcher batting and have a guy whose job is what..........TO HIT. The AL SHOULD be better but yet the NL still seems to win some world series tittles. Stop using the AL vs NL as a scapegoat to your teams franchise not being successful. Rangers fans sorry for hijacking this thread because of this idiot.

[leemajors]

Uh ... nooooo! :nope

He is a Rangers fan. Rangers fans who know their history hate the Yankees, and I have explained to you why this is before. He is simply stating that the Yankees teams that have eliminated the Rangers in past playoffs were better than anyone the Astros faced to get through the playoffs.

Or at least, that is what I think he is saying :lol

From what I gather, Firebat would rather lose in the first round of miss the playoffs entirely than get to the world series and lose. It's a greater accomplishment.

[FirebatMIV]

From what I gather, Firebat would rather lose in the first round of miss the playoffs entirely than get to the world series and lose. It's a greater accomplishment.

What is that phrase that all sports lifers are so fond of? Something like there's no 1st place loser?

The thing is, the Astros, I believe, never had the talent to be the World Championship team. Occasionally teams without superior talent win in baseball (that's you, 2006 St. Louis Cardinals), but that is very rare. Getting to the playoffs is great, bragging that you got to the playoffs and proceeded to get owned by a team without a #1 starter is kinda dumb.

[ATRAIN]

What is that phrase that all sports lifers are so fond of? Something like there's no 1st place loser?

The thing is, the Astros, I believe, never had the talent to be the World Championship team. Occasionally teams without superior talent win in baseball (that's you, 2006 St. Louis Cardinals), but that is very rare. Getting to the playoffs is great, bragging that you got to the playoffs and proceeded to get owned by a team without a #1 starter is kinda dumb.


And talking shit when your team has only won 1 playoff game isnt?

[FirebatMIV]

And talking shit when your team has only won 1 playoff game isnt?

It also helps that the Rangers are more talented in every level of baseball.

[monosylab1k]

The 99 Rangers would beat the hell out of that Asstrolls team that made it to the Series.

96 Rangers too.

[ATRAIN]

What is that phrase that all sports lifers are so fond of? Something like there's no 1st place loser?

The thing is, the Astros, I believe, never had the talent to be the World Championship team. Occasionally teams without superior talent win in baseball (that's you, 2006 St. Louis Cardinals), but that is very rare. Getting to the playoffs is great, bragging that you got to the playoffs and proceeded to get owned by a team without a #1 starter is kinda dumb.


I agree and thats why we got swept, however 3 of those games were either decided in the last innings or in extra innings. I feel in my heart that if we had re-signed Bletran he could have made that series different for he was clutch in the post season. We werent that good of a team , but we were good enough to make playoffs and we got hot at the right time. Same thing happened to the Rockies last year. They got hot but didnt have what it takes to win it all. Either way, im sure 99% of the Rangers fan base would trade the stupid silver boot for a chance to play in the series. No matter what you or your retarted brother mono think or say, fact of the matter is the astros have had better success than the rangers. The sad thing is that you and mono are jealous of what you call a sub-par team. Don't hate us, hate someone in your own division and quit being little bitches.

[monosylab1k]

I just ran a whatifsports.com simulation of a 7 game series between the 99 Rangers and the 05 Assholes.

Game 1: Astros 7, Rangers 4 @Houston
Game 2: Rangers 9, Astros 2 @Houston
Game 3: Astros 9, Rangers 0 @Texas
Game 4: Rangers 5, Astros 4 @Texas
Game 5: Rangers 8, Astros 5 @Houston
Game 6: Rangers 3, Astros 2 @Texas

[ATRAIN]

I just ran a whatifsports.com simulation of a 7 game series between the 99 Rangers and the 05 Assholes.

Game 1: Astros 7, Rangers 4 @Houston
Game 2: Rangers 9, Astros 2 @Houston
Game 3: Astros 9, Rangers 0 @Texas
Game 4: Rangers 5, Astros 4 @Texas
Game 5: Rangers 8, Astros 5 @Houston
Game 6: Rangers 3, Astros 2 @Texas



Oh the simulation says you guys would have won......guess you told me. Funny thing is the 99 rangers wouldnt even had had the chance to play us in 05, because they would have gotten swept in the first round......ok ok maybe won 1 game.

[monosylab1k]

Don't be jealous that even computer simulations give the Rangers the Silver Boot.

Rangers > Asstros

Helling, Sele, Burkett > Clemens, Oswalt, Pettitte....wait let me rephrase that....

Helling, Sele, Burkett > Steroids, Oswalt, More Steroids

[ATRAIN]

Don't be jealous that even computer simulations give the Rangers the Silver Boot.

Rangers > Asstros

Helling, Sele, Burkett > Clemens, Oswalt, Pettitte....wait let me rephrase that....

Helling, Sele, Burkett > Steroids, Oswalt, More Steroids



Jealous.........nah you know what takes my jealousy away

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/47/127524935_db0d5a13ae.jpg?v=0

[ATRAIN]

Anways if you want to continue to argue with your retarded brother firebat, move this over to the Silverboot thread and leave this thread for the TRUE rangers fans, not a bandwagoner like you. You know you root for the Bosox and Yankees.

[monosylab1k]

Seriously though, yeah there's no real rivalry.

But this has been discussed a couple times on the radio in Dallas.....would Astros fans be opposed to moving to the AL West? It would help both teams in terms of possibly starting a real rivalry, plus travel would be easier on both teams in the long run of the season.

[monosylab1k]

Anways if you want to continue to argue with your retarded brother firebat, move this over to the Silverboot thread and leave this thread for the TRUE rangers fans, not a bandwagoner like you. You know you root for the Bosox and Yankees.

LOL I saw this one coming a mile away. When ATRAIN gets owned he resorts to bandwagoner smack.

Your jealousy of the Rangers Silver Boot domination is funny!

[ATRAIN]

Again Rangers fans im sorry for the hijacking of this thread and im sorry you have to share your team with a fucking idiot bandwagoner fan like Monoslobsondick.

[ATRAIN]

Seriously though, yeah there's no real rivalry.

But this has been discussed a couple times on the radio in Dallas.....would Astros fans be opposed to moving to the AL West? It would help both teams in terms of possibly starting a real rivalry, plus travel would be easier on both teams in the long run of the season.



Actual baseball talk, good im done with the kid stuff. As far as your question it would be interesting as far as a move. Would I like it, personally not really. I believe you guys are in a tough division, tougher than ours. I would like the DH though, its very painful having 2 or even 3 on with 2 outs and having a pitcher up to bat.

[ATRAIN]

LOL I saw this one coming a mile away. When ATRAIN gets owned he resorts to bandwagoner smack.

Your jealousy of the Rangers Silver Boot domination is funny!



LOL how did I get owned? Bottom line you guys are leading 2-1 in a series against us so there you win for now. Now comparing 2 teams from 2 different years is dumb no matter how you look at it, no matter what sport and is irrelevant in smack talk.

[leemajors]

What is that phrase that all sports lifers are so fond of? Something like there's no 1st place loser?

The thing is, the Astros, I believe, never had the talent to be the World Championship team. Occasionally teams without superior talent win in baseball (that's you, 2006 St. Louis Cardinals), but that is very rare. Getting to the playoffs is great, bragging that you got to the playoffs and proceeded to get owned by a team without a #1 starter is kinda dumb.

You were the one bragging about the Yankees wiping the floor with the Rangers repeatedly. I was pointing out the gaping flaws in your logic - you can brag about the boot all you want, but the Rangers haven't been successful in the playoffs. It can't really be argued. Plus, i'm sure most of the Rangers would have been very pleased with making the World Series once, even if they got swept. Most players dream about it. You're using the retarded argument a lot of Spurs fans did in 06 - well, at least we didn't lose in the Finals like the Mavs did.

[FirebatMIV]

Bandwagon fan? Seriously?

I follow the Rangers minor league teams. I am as die hard as they get. While I'm not as eloquent as others like Jamey Newberg or AJM, but bandwagon is the guy whose only defense for his sagging, talent-deprived franchise is to conjure up the closest thing they've had to success - a good run stopped cold by a superior team playing in a superior league.

The Astros are not a talented team. They have some talented players, but as an organization, they lack talent on both the major league and minor league levels. The Rangers are a better franchise right now, and they will be for the forseeable future. That's the only thing that needs to be discussed.

Rangers>Astros

[Evan]

And talking shit when your team has only won 1 playoff game isnt?


:toast

[FirebatMIV]

You were the one bragging about the Yankees wiping the floor with the Rangers repeatedly. I was pointing out the gaping flaws in your logic - you can brag about the boot all you want, but the Rangers haven't been successful in the playoffs. It can't really be argued. Plus, i'm sure most of the Rangers would have been very pleased with making the World Series once, even if they got swept. Most players dream about it. You're using the retarded argument a lot of Spurs fans did in 06 - well, at least we didn't lose in the Finals like the Mavs did.

But we're not players, we're fans who are trash talking as if there's an actual rivalry. The fact that what you're falling back on occurred with a past team whose ultimate success was that they were unequivocally proven to be inferior to the Chicago White Sox is not exactly a great piece of trash talk.

[leemajors]

But we're not players, we're fans who are trash talking as if there's an actual rivalry. The fact that what you're falling back on occurred with a past team whose ultimate success was that they were unequivocally proven to be inferior to the Chicago White Sox is not exactly a great piece of trash talk.

Neither is league smack. Atrain shouldn't have brought it up, but your response was equally retarded when your team has accomplished nothing. Last time I checked, the Chicago White Sox were superior to each and every team in MLB that year - what's your point?

[ATRAIN]

Bandwagon fan? Seriously?

I follow the Rangers minor league teams. I am as die hard as they get. While I'm not as eloquent as others like Jamey Newberg or AJM, but bandwagon is the guy whose only defense for his sagging, talent-deprived franchise is to conjure up the closest thing they've had to success - a good run stopped cold by a superior team playing in a superior league.

The Astros are not a talented team. They have some talented players, but as an organization, they lack talent on both the major league and minor league levels. The Rangers are a better franchise right now, and they will be for the forseeable future. That's the only thing that needs to be discussed.

Rangers>Astros



Ill admit our farm system is depleted and not what it was a few years ago. We traded away a lot of our up and coming players, but hey thats the gamble you pay for when you want to win right away. Your missing the whole point, why does it even have to be about Rangers vs Astros. We only play each other 6 times in this long season with nothing but a stupid silver boot as a trophy. We have never met in a series. LOL you say they will be and are a better franchise but there is really no way to really tell. You guys could get desperate and make a crazy ass trade as teams often do. Your whole argument is stupid and for the record you started this whole shit bashing the NL and bashing Tejada. Mono well he starts shit for the sake of starting shit, but im sure he isnt a blind dumbass like you.

[FirebatMIV]

Ill admit our farm system is depleted and not what it was a few years ago. We traded away a lot of our up and coming players, but hey thats the gamble you pay for when you want to win right away. Your missing the whole point, why does it even have to be about Rangers vs Astros. We only play each other 6 times in this long season with nothing but a stupid silver boot as a trophy. We have never met in a series. LOL you say they will be and are a better franchise but there is really no way to really tell. You guys could get desperate and make a crazy ass trade as teams often do. Your whole argument is stupid and for the record you started this whole shit bashing the NL and bashing Tejada. Mono well he starts shit for the sake of starting shit, but im sure he isnt a blind dumbass like you.

The NL does suck.

They've consistently gotten killed in the All Star Game, in interleague and in the World Series.

You had a year last year when no team had more than 95 wins in the NL. You had division winners at 83 wins. You had the worst division in baseball despite the fact that the Reds and the Pirates (two free-win teams) playing in it. How can you make the argument that the NL is NOT a horrid league is beyond me.

Miguel Tejada doesn't suck as much as I made him seem. But he's a guy that's a lot like Michael Young, except for he walks even less and hits for a bit more power. His LD% and BABIP are unsustainable, as I've talked about before.

The question I have is why a team who was a 70 win team last year going for it. Better yet, why are they going slot when they need so much talent in the minor leagues? If you'd like to show me anything I've said that's wrong, I'll be happy to hear it.

[sribb43]

Marlon Byrd and Chris Shelton should not be on this team and Benoit should not be the 8th inning guy. move Frankie to that spot...

[monosylab1k]

:toast

:lmao and you pop your head back into this thread to join Astros fans in trashing the Rangers...again. Who exactly do you root for?

[sribb43]

Once again, josh Hamilton is a stud and goes deep to give the rangers the lead in the 10th

FYI...Carlos Gomex aint to shabby either

[Evan]

:lmao and you pop your head back into this thread to join Astros fans in trashing the Rangers...again. Who exactly do you root for?

The Rangers

But I don't have my blinders on. Just because I am a fan of them team doesn't mean I won't admit this franchise is garbage.

Every fan of every team has ownage on the Rangers and can trash talk them.

[monosylab1k]

The Rangers

two words for that - "Bull" and "Shit"

[Evan]

Once again, josh Hamilton is a stud and goes deep to give the rangers the lead in the 10th

Absolute pleasure watching that dude do his thing.

[monosylab1k]

Absolute pleasure watching that dude do his thing.

He helps this team win, there's no way you can enjoy that.

[monosylab1k]

I'm sure Evan would be a true Josh Hamilton fan if he got traded to the Yankees for Johnny Damon.

[Evan]

two words for that - "Bull" and "Shit"

I don't understand why you have such a hard time believing a fan can be a critic of their own team. I will admit it when the Cowboys and Mavs suck as well.


I'm sure Evan would be a true Josh Hamilton fan if he got traded to the Yankees for Johnny Damon.

I'm not sure what you mean here but I am sure you thought it was real clever.

[monosylab1k]

I don't understand why you have such a hard time believing a fan can be a critic of their own team. I will admit it when the Cowboys and Mavs suck as well.

There's blind homers, blind critics, and reasonable fans. I fully realize that this team sucks in the big picture. I also can see progress. I can see plenty of positives here, plenty of "diamonds in the poopoo".

You refuse to see beyond the bad. You're a blind critic. Bottom line. You're only happy when this team is miserable.


I'm not sure what you mean here but I am sure you thought it was real clever.

You only root for Rangers once they aren't with the Rangers any more.

[leemajors]

:lmao and you pop your head back into this thread to join Astros fans in trashing the Rangers...again. Who exactly do you root for?

i'm not really trashing the strange, I just think FB's points are off base. I myself readily acknowledge the owners of the Boot, I just also take exception with using runs to break a tie. Whoever had it the year before should just keep it if the games are tied.

[monosylab1k]

i'm not really trashing the strange, I just think FB's points are off base. I myself readily acknowledge the owners of the Boot, I just also take exception with using runs to break a tie. Whoever had it the year before should just keep it if the games are tied.

I fully understand that. Rangers fans really don't have much room to trash talk the Astros besides Silver Boot smack (which I only do to piss off ATrain). I was just pointing out that it's pretty odd that someone who claims to be a FAN of the Rangers does absolutely nothing except trash the team with every post. Except for an occasional "Josh Hamilton is awesome" post which makes no sense since he's already on record as being against that trade and therefore not wanting Hamilton on the Rangers.

[Trainwreck2100]

Don't be jealous that even computer simulations give the Rangers the Silver Boot.

Rangers > Asstros

Helling, Sele, Burkett > Clemens, Oswalt, Pettitte....wait let me rephrase that....

Helling, Sele, Burkett > Steroids, Oswalt, More Steroids

It wasn't steroids






it was HGH

[FirebatMIV]

The Rangers faceoff against some of the best pitching in the AL the next 4 days as they draw:

Fausto Carmona
Cliff Lee
CC Sabathia
Scott Kazmir

in order.

Three lefties + Fausto Carmona is going to make it tough.

On the plus side, Hank Blalock is back Friday and it gives the Rangers a legitiamte 5th place hitter (no offense to Murph, but he's more of a lower-order guy)

A lineup of

Ian Kinsler
Michael Young
Josh Hamilton
Milton Bradley
Hank Blalock
David Murphy
Gerald Laird/Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Ramon Vazquez
Marlon Byrd

is a top 5 type of lineup.

[ATRAIN]

I fully understand that. Rangers fans really don't have much room to trash talk the Astros besides Silver Boot smack (which I only do to piss off ATrain). I was just pointing out that it's pretty odd that someone who claims to be a FAN of the Rangers does absolutely nothing except trash the team with every post. Except for an occasional "Josh Hamilton is awesome" post which makes no sense since he's already on record as being against that trade and therefore not wanting Hamilton on the Rangers.

Thats where your wrong Mono, it doesnt piss me off as much as you think. In fact I think its pretty stupid. They have to make something up for 2 interstate teams to play for because we will prob NEVER see a Texas world Series. I agree with you and we dont have that much to talk as well. We have never won a series but for someone to bash the NL considering they have different rules and some of the highest salaries in the league is pretty dumb. Yeah most of the NL teams suck, but if you notice a shit load of them are on the bottom of the list on salaries. Coincidence, I think not.

[Evan]

There's blind homers, blind critics, and reasonable fans. I fully realize that this team sucks in the big picture. I also can see progress. I can see plenty of positives here, plenty of "diamonds in the poopoo".

You refuse to see beyond the bad. You're a blind critic. Bottom line. You're only happy when this team is miserable.

This team is always miserable. :lol

Look here is the deal...as I have said I am now at the point where I only think this team will get better if it hits rock bottom. IMO that the only way Tom Hicks will say to himself "I have no business being involved I will let someone else handle this"

And I can see plenty of diamonds in the poo poo as well. :toast




You only root for Rangers once they aren't with the Rangers any more.

Again, I love the team I just hate those who run it except Nolan. I have no reason to not like him.

[monosylab1k]

This team is always miserable. :lol

Look here is the deal...as I have said I am now at the point where I only think this team will get better if it hits rock bottom. IMO that the only way Tom Hicks will say to himself "I have no business being involved I will let someone else handle this"

And I can see plenty of diamonds in the poo poo as well. :toast

What diamonds? You insist Jon Daniels doesn't know what the fuck he's doing. If that's the case, then what fucking diamonds have YOU seen?


Again, I love the team I just hate those who run it except Nolan. I have no reason to not like him.

He agreed to work under Tom Hicks' ownership. By your own statements, you are openly rooting for Nolan to fail.

Ranger Hater.

[Evan]

What diamonds? You insist Jon Daniels doesn't know what the fuck he's doing. If that's the case, then what fucking diamonds have YOU seen?



He agreed to work under Tom Hicks' ownership. By your own statements, you are openly rooting for Nolan to fail.

Ranger Hater.

Nice post edit...I see you want back and got angry...lol

[monosylab1k]

Nice post edit...I see you want back and got angry...lol

Changing the subject....good strategy. Ranger Hater.

[FirebatMIV]

Thats where your wrong Mono, it doesnt piss me off as much as you think. In fact I think its pretty stupid. They have to make something up for 2 interstate teams to play for because we will prob NEVER see a Texas world Series. I agree with you and we dont have that much to talk as well. We have never won a series but for someone to bash the NL considering they have different rules and some of the highest salaries in the league is pretty dumb. Yeah most of the NL teams suck, but if you notice a shit load of them are on the bottom of the list on salaries. Coincidence, I think not.

Your best teams are those with young players and those that do a good job of developing their own talent. This is true for the AL and the NL.

The NL sucks because they are far less talented than their AL counterparts. The reason why the AL has been so good is because the model organizations of the past decade (the big spenders like Boston and New York as well as the Small-budget operations like Oakland and Minnesota) have been in the AL. They do a better job of developing their own players. They spend more money on scouting directors and international free agents. (the five biggest spenders on the international scene - New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers)

And for the record, all the smack talking started because the Silver Boot series thread started. I thought it was a tradition.

[FirebatMIV]

Changing the subject....good strategy. Ranger Hater.

Let's just agree that Evan doesn't know what he's talking about and move on. Responding to him any more is just feeding his retarded circular logic.

[leemajors]

Your best teams are those with young players and those that do a good job of developing their own talent. This is true for the AL and the NL.

The NL sucks because they are far less talented than their AL counterparts. The reason why the AL has been so good is because the model organizations of the past decade (the big spenders like Boston and New York as well as the Small-budget operations like Oakland and Minnesota) have been in the AL. They do a better job of developing their own players. They spend more money on scouting directors and international free agents. (the five biggest spenders on the international scene - New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers)

And for the record, all the smack talking started because the Silver Boot series thread started. I thought it was a tradition.

don't the marlins have far and away the best scouts and player development?

[FirebatMIV]

don't the marlins have far and away the best scouts and player development?

In terms of dollars spent? Good god no.

The Marlins have a lot of picks and a lot of prospects because they trade a lot of their guys. That means that they don't have to pay the big bonuses while they still get the players themselves.

For example, their CF Cameron Maybin was a bonus baby. Detroit paid him about 4 million to sign out of High School after they drafted him. The Marlins got him in a trade for Dontrelle Willis/Miguel Cabrera.

That means they save money by not paying the big bonus, save money by not paying the large major league salary for established players and save money thanks to revenue sharing.

If you look at their draftees (guys they actually take), they're all signability picks. Guys who agree to come for cheap. They really are the cheapiest team in baseball.

[leemajors]

In terms of dollars spent? Good god no.

The Marlins have a lot of picks and a lot of prospects because they trade a lot of their guys. That means that they don't have to pay the big bonuses while they still get the players themselves.

For example, their CF Cameron Maybin was a bonus baby. Detroit paid him about 4 million to sign out of High School after they drafted him. The Marlins got him in a trade for Dontrelle Willis/Miguel Cabrera.

That means they save money by not paying the big bonus, save money by not paying the large major league salary for established players and save money thanks to revenue sharing.

If you look at their draftees (guys they actually take), they're all signability picks. Guys who agree to come for cheap. They really are the cheapiest team in baseball.

sounds like they have good scouts and get damn good value for their money.

[Evan]

Let's just agree that Evan doesn't know what he's talking about and move on. Responding to him any more is just feeding his retarded circular logic.

Rangers = best in baseball history

[FirebatMIV]

sounds like they have good scouts and get damn good value for their money.

It's not hard to get good players when you take the consensus best players from other teams. What they do is the equivalent of perpetual rebuilding. That's rather hard for a fanbase.

[ATRAIN]

Wow you Firebat actually has some baseball knowledge, you see what others find out when your not bashing and talking crap.

[monosylab1k]

Rangers = best in baseball history

And now using a strawman. Even better strategy. You really know alot about teh basebawl.

[dallaskd]

the rangers have 11 runs after 3 innings. look out.

[sribb43]

the rangers have 11 runs after 3 innings. look out.

Carmona, Lee and sabathia better watch out....Carmona has already fell victim to the great rangers O

[dallaskd]

im ready to look at .500 in the mirror

[dallaskd]

anybody listen to rangers replay after the game on 1080 KRLD?

[AFBlue]

Scott Kazmir dealing for the Rays...10K's through 7 and he's struck out everyone in the order at least once.

[ATRAIN]

Just read this on Josh Hamilton and wow I didn't know he was this fucked up. Great comeback story and glad to see him doing well and not throwing away his talent.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/albert_chen/05/27/hamilton0602/index.html

[Evan]

Just read this on Josh Hamilton and wow I didn't know he was this fucked up. Great comeback story and glad to see him doing well and not throwing away his talent.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/albert_chen/05/27/hamilton0602/index.html

Its a pretty crazy story. He seems 100% sincere too.

[ATRAIN]

Its a pretty crazy story. He seems 100% sincere too.

Yeah sometimes I wonder how people can slip up that bad. Crazy how he hates all his tats.

[Evan]

Yeah sometimes I wonder how people can slip up that bad.

enablers

[Evan]

anybody listen to rangers replay after the game on 1080 KRLD?

I listen to whatever the ticket does if I happen to be up

1310

[Whisky Dog]

Rangers over .500 in June?

Nice.

Hamilton for MVP.

[sribb43]

why is Robinson Tejada still on this Ranger team....are they still trying to justify the David Dellucci trade

[Melmart1]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080602&content_id=2819212&vkey=allstar2008&fext=.jsp

Josh Hamilton jumped from sixth place to 2nd in AL outfielder voting for the All-Star game. This man DESERVES to be there in the strating lineup. I am sure it had a lot to do with his cover on Sports Ilustrated this week. But it is up to us Rangers fans to keep him on pace with the other guys from teams with much larger fan bases.

Vote often! Here is the link: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2008/ballot_reg.html

[sribb43]

Kinsler, Hamilton and Young have to be locks for the AS team as long as they produce as they are...Jeter and Pedroia will get the starting nod..but outside of Jeter, i cant see another SS making it over Young and Kinsler is the best offensive 2nd baseman in the AL right now

Rangers have the current 10 game homestand so i expect those guys votes to increase even more...I voted online the max 25 time bc the Rangers will give you a 2 free ticket voucher to just about any game after the ASG if you vote the max

[Melmart1]

Holy Shit, guys!

Josh Hamilton has once again been named AL Player of the Month. He won the award for April, and now has won for May. :wow

Here is the text of the email from the Newberg Report announcing it:

MLB has just named Josh Hamilton the American League Player of the Month for May. He is the first American League player in the 35-year history of the monthly honors to win the award in both April and May in a given season. Eric Davis (1987), Bobby Bonilla (1988), and Mark McGwire (1998) achieved the feat in the National League.

Hamilton has also soared from sixth to second among AL outfielders in the All-Star Game vote. He could be the first Ranger to start an All-Star Game since 2005. He and Ichiro (third in the outfield vote) are the only players not with Boston or New York who would start for the A.L. if voting closed today.

But it doesn’t close today. Go vote (and get free tickets for doing so): http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/tex/fan_forum/allstar_offers.jsp

[sribb43]

I havent been this excited about a rangers player since Juan Gone

[Thunder Dan]

Rangers will sweep the Indians, they suck

[FromWayDowntown]

It's good to see someone like Josh Hamilton get his life back on track and have the opportunity to live up to his immense potential. It always pains me to see anyone lose opportuities in life through things like addiction; for Hamilton to have come all the way back is a great story and proof that even the most harrowing addictions can (seemingly) be overcome with enough work and strength. It's too bad that the story of every addict can't end as well as Hamilton's has (though it's too bad that Hamilton chose to put himself through that crap, too).

I vote for him to start for the AL.

[Melmart1]

I vote for him to start for the AL.

If you vote for him all 25 times, I will vote for some of your Orioles ... :lol

[FromWayDowntown]

If you vote for him all 25 times, I will vote for some of your Orioles ... :lol

Deal.

Though I should have held out for something better than all-star votes.

:p:

[dallaskd]

Holy Shit, guys!

Josh Hamilton has once again been named AL Player of the Month. He won the award for April, and now has won for May. :wow

Here is the text of the email from the Newberg Report announcing it:

MLB has just named Josh Hamilton the American League Player of the Month for May. He is the first American League player in the 35-year history of the monthly honors to win the award in both April and May in a given season. Eric Davis (1987), Bobby Bonilla (1988), and Mark McGwire (1998) achieved the feat in the National League.

Hamilton has also soared from sixth to second among AL outfielders in the All-Star Game vote. He could be the first Ranger to start an All-Star Game since 2005. He and Ichiro (third in the outfield vote) are the only players not with Boston or New York who would start for the A.L. if voting closed today.

But it doesn’t close today. Go vote (and get free tickets for doing so): http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/tex/fan_forum/allstar_offers.jsp

resign that fucker!

[Melmart1]

Deal.

Though I should have held out for something better than all-star votes.

:p:

Well ... if you vote through the Rangers Web site and get a voucher for free tix, I might be willing to broker a different deal for those tix ... :downspin:

[Thunder Dan]

LOL the Rangers play the worst music during the games. After homers it sounds like something from a movie, and after a running catch in the outfield they play the Fox sports theme music??? wtf is up with that?

[N.Y. Johnny]

LOL the Rangers play the worst music during the games. After homers it sounds like something from a movie, and after a running catch in the outfield they play the Fox sports theme music??? wtf is up with that?



Nationals Games are worse.

They used to play the theme from "The Natural" in Texas after a HR.

[Thunder Dan]

Nationals Games are worse.

They used to play the theme from "The Natural" in Texas after a HR.

that might be the song they still play, whatever it is it is lame

[Melmart1]

Yeah, it's the theme from "The Natural." At least they don't ring that damn Ameriquest bell anymore, now that they don't sponsor the field.

[monosylab1k]

What do they play at home games when the Indians hit a HR? I'm guessing there isn't an appropriate "Our city is a total failure" song out there.

They should have to play the audio clip of Drew Carey's "I wanna send a message to anyone who ever made fun of Cleveland....you can now officially SHUT UP!" speech back from the debut home game of the Cleveland Browns 2.0

[monosylab1k]

playing "The Natural" theme song is pretty cliche and lame tho.

[sribb43]

rangers pitching is terrible. how is your offense going to score 17 runs in 2 games and still manage to get outscored by 9 runs 26-17. I'm sick and tired of seeing the Rangers throw out AA and AAA level pitchers each night. After padilla and millwood the staff is awful....other than that i am pleased with Kinsler, Young, Hamilton Bradley and Murphy

[monosylab1k]

Ponson is nice but can't be trusted. Even if he plays great all season, I'd be against re-signing him. He's going to fall off eventually.

Gabbard just needs to fucking stay healthy and get back into a rhythm. I think he'll go back to being solid.

Too bad that after taking a break from sucking ass, Joaquin Benoit decided to go back to his roots.

[monosylab1k]

I think that Jon Daniels has done a solid job, aside from his horrendous first year. But that first year was REEEEAALLLLY bad. We could have traded Danks/Diamond/Blalock for Beckett/Lowell. And of course the infamous Chris Young trade. Those two trades really crippled this franchise.

Imagine if right now our pitching staff was Beckett, Young, Millwood, Padilla, Gabbard.

We'd have Hamilton, Kinsler, Adrian Gonzalez, Salty, and Lowell in our lineup.

Dammit.

I truly think Jon Daniels has got this team on the right track, but good God his first year on the job was fucking horrifying.

[sribb43]

Rangers should just bring up Chris Davis so we dont have to be spared to death by Chris Shelton

[Evan]

I truly think Jon Daniels has got this team on the right track, but good God his first year on the job was fucking horrifying.


Hopefully his ego is in the right place and he realizes the mistakes and can now do better along with Nolan's help. Stick to the plan and lets see where this is in a couple years.

EDIT: I am not a JD fan by any means but if he can do what Jerry Jones did and completely change the way he goes about handling talent, realizing how bad he f-cked up, I am 100% willing to forget the past, focus on the positives and give him another chance. I think he is young enough to do that.

[sribb43]

what baffles me even more about the Chris Young trade is that the Rangers knew that Texiera's agent was Boras and that it would be awfully hard to re-sign him, so you would think that they would keep Adrian Gonzalez so that they would have someone to play 1st when/if Tex left.....wouldnt it be nice to have the current leader in RBI's in the NL as your 1st baseman of the Rangers. Instead we have a platoon of Cat and Shelton

[Evan]

what baffles me even more about the Chris Young trade is that the Rangers knew that Texiera's agent was Boras and that it would be awfully hard to re-sign him, so you would think that they would keep Adrian Gonzalez so that they would have someone to play 1st when/if Tex left.....wouldnt it be nice to have the current leader in RBI's in the NL as your 1st baseman of the Rangers. Instead we have a platoon of Cat and Shelton

That enire situation was weird.For a very long time as I am sure many Ranger fans will remember, Hicks said repeatedly that they can't go out into the free agent market because they needed those dollars to re-sign Young, Tex and Hank to long term high dollar contracts. Well…only 1 got it.

[monosylab1k]

what baffles me even more about the Chris Young trade is that the Rangers knew that Texiera's agent was Boras and that it would be awfully hard to re-sign him, so you would think that they would keep Adrian Gonzalez so that they would have someone to play 1st when/if Tex left.....wouldnt it be nice to have the current leader in RBI's in the NL as your 1st baseman of the Rangers. Instead we have a platoon of Cat and Shelton

They're so desperate for a 1st baseman they want Blalock to spare us all to death over there. If he ever gets healthy.

And the answer is so freakin obvious. Move Salty to 1B and develop him there. Keep Laird at C and let Teagarden take that spot in a year or two. For the life of me, I can't understand why they insist on keeping Salty as a catcher, where the wear & tear of the position will catch up to him sooner rather than later. If he's one of your franchise cornerstones, why play him at a position that will wear him out by the time he's 30?

[sribb43]

They're so desperate for a 1st baseman they want Blalock to spare us all to death over there. If he ever gets healthy.

And the answer is so freakin obvious. Move Salty to 1B and develop him there. Keep Laird at C and let Teagarden take that spot in a year or two. For the life of me, I can't understand why they insist on keeping Salty as a catcher, where the wear & tear of the position will catch up to him sooner rather than later.

you would think that would be so obvious....Rangers also have Max Ramierz...he can be a victor martinez type and play C, 1b, DH. at least for now play Salty at 1b so he can get more at-bats and w/ laird catching most of the time...anything but Shelton

[Evan]

Anyone in the Dallas area, JD on next, 1:35pm…1310

[Whisky Dog]

Damn, the Rangers have some flaming bats right now. They're actually getting some decent pitching out of the pen after Murray reminded us he's made of glass.

All hail the Great Hambino.

[Whisky Dog]

How do you score 8 or more runs in six straight games (some against damn good pitchers like Lee and Sabathia) and go 3-3? Fucking Rangers pitching doing it again, although their best this year has been in Venezuela and not pitching.

That row of Kinsler, Young, Hamilton, and Bradley has been the most dominating offensive force in baseball recently, but much of the production is wasted as they can't get over .500 and build momentum.

[stretch]

we need to bring jordan out of retirement.

jordan = 200 wins.

[Evan]

How do you score 8 or more runs in six straight games (some against damn good pitchers like Lee and Sabathia) and go 3-3? Fucking Rangers pitching doing it again, although their best this year has been in Venezuela and not pitching.

That row of Kinsler, Young, Hamilton, and Bradley has been the most dominating offensive force in baseball recently, but much of the production is wasted as they can't get over .500 and build momentum.

They should trade more pitchers.

[sribb43]

They should trade more pitchers.

Rangers need to trade 1 of there 10 freaking prospect catchers for pitching. and why did the rangers use their #10 pick on a first baseman. I thought Chris Davis was supposed to "The Guy" at 1b for the future. If not pitching how about a 3b bc there are none in the farm system that are worth crap

[FirebatMIV]

Rangers need to trade 1 of there 10 freaking prospect catchers for pitching. and why did the rangers use their #10 pick on a first baseman. I thought Chris Davis was supposed to "The Guy" at 1b for the future. If not pitching how about a 3b bc there are none in the farm system that are worth crap

Johnny Whittleman (High A Bakersfield)
Jose Vallejo (High A Bakersfield)

[Melmart1]

Hurley is coming!


Eric Hurley will be flying with the Rangers tonight to Kansas City and is expected to make his major league debut on Thursday afternoon. The club won't officially purchase Hurley's contract until Thursday, which allows them to keep their roster as is for the first two games of the series.

http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/06/here-comes-hurley.html

I am quite happy with this. He struggled early in AAA and needed time, but he has been solid his last four or so starts. I think this is good timing. I wouldn't have minded Harrison coming up instead, but I think he will be up soon enough, as Mathis doesn't fit into any long-term plans, unless its in the bullpen.

I am very excited about Thursday's game now!

[Melmart1]

And why hasn't anyone updated this in three days? Did nobody care that they DFA'd Ponson over the weekend? :lol

[sribb43]

F Ponson.....I'd rather have Hurley get those innings at the major league level then that fat slob ponson

[sribb43]

Milton Bradley is your AL player of he week....went to the game this past saturday and got to see Milton blast a home run into left field into a gusting wind that was blowing in...alos got some entertainment when he broke his bat over his knee after striking out. i hope he can finally stay heathly. Rangers need to keep this guy, they need someone with attitude and fire

[dallaskd]

34-33. two straight come back wins!


and the moment we've all been waiting for tommorow.

[traitoravery]

bad news, Horrible loss today from a wild pitch...sigh

good news, have a better record than the asstrolls with their loss today :downspin:

[G-Nob]

Kinsler gonna make the all-star game? mofo deserves it especially if he continues to tear up June. Hamilton better start, otherwise, its a freaking tragedy.

[sribb43]

Here is to Padilla drilling Tex tonight in his return to Arlington :toast

[Melmart1]

Here is to Padilla drilling Tex tonight in his return to Arlington :toast

Normally I am OK with guys returning after they got traded, and would applaud them. But the way Tex handled everything during that time still makes me mad. What a douchebag he acted like. I don't know if I would have it in my heart to boo him if I am there (he was great for a long time for us) but I certainly wouldn't mind others booing him. He needs to know how his behavior affected his fans, it was like a punch in the gut.

[Melmart1]

BTW, did you guys see the video of the Rangers during the rainout at Shea on Saturday? Here is video:

http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200806142929984

I love it, like a bunch of exuberant little kids and good bonding. My favorite part is how after security escorts them out they send out a decoy to distract them so they can run out for an encore, haha. And when do you see people cheering for the baseball Rangers in NY? Awesome.

[sribb43]

Normally I am OK with guys returning after they got traded, and would applaud them. But the way Tex handled everything during that time still makes me mad. What a douchebag he acted like. I don't know if I would have it in my heart to boo him if I am there (he was great for a long time for us) but I certainly wouldn't mind others booing him. He needs to know how his behavior affected his fans, it was like a punch in the gut.

Im going to the game tomorrow...if others boo him, I will sure join in

[sribb43]

VOTE 4 KINSLER, HAMILTON, BRADLEY AND YOUNG

http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/images/2008/05/23/4W5mRzkw.jpg

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2008/ballot_reg.html

[G-Nob]

CHris Davis got called up today. He's been tearing it up in AAA. I'm glad he's gonna get a chance.

[sribb43]

A nice little 6 IP of shutout ball for Mr. John Danks last night, lowering his era to 2.62 with a WHIP of 1.23. As Brandon McCarthy proves he is worthless and remains on the 60 Day DL

[traitoravery]

WOW three games above .500, Two impressive showings form the bullpen and nothing but crickets in here. Go Rangers!!!!

[sribb43]

:lol @ the NY media who thought the Yanks would sweep the rangers and that the Yanks would score at will on us bc our pitching sucked....:lol

[traitoravery]

I hope they assrape Ponson tonight like.

[dallaskd]

I wasnt for releasing Ponson because he was doing well in Texas, but i hope we fuck him up tonight and sweep those damn yankees.

[mFFL03]

haha its now 7 - 6 vs the yanks in the top of 6th....

I love how espn and espn.com just kind of shy away yankees coverage when this happens.

god, still need to trade someone for some EXCELLENT pitching...but this is working so far....

i'm proud to be a fan again


SA needs a MLB team....badly

[sribb43]

Looking for a 4-0 sweep of the Angels this week

[N.Y. Johnny]

haha its now 7 - 6 vs the yanks in the top of 6th....

I love how espn and espn.com just kind of shy away yankees coverage when this happens.

god, still need to trade someone for some EXCELLENT pitching...but this is working so far....

i'm proud to be a fan again


SA needs a MLB team....badly


Speaking of the Yanks I know its kind of early but any you guys go to the games?

I'm probably going to go to the August series, if so see ya there :downspin:

[mFFL03]

Speaking of the Yanks I know its kind of early but any you guys go to the games?

I'm probably going to go to the August series, if so see ya there :downspin:

man if I lived closer I would. north dallas to arlington is a good 40 minutes without traffic, plus tolls.

plus its but ass hott. if SA ever gets a team, make sure its a dome.

oh yah, but the way. Hamilton bottom of the 9th home run wins the game vs. the Angels for ANOTHER series.

whatta team

[G-Nob]

J-Ham = MVP.

No question.

[Whisky Dog]

man if I lived closer I would. north dallas to arlington is a good 40 minutes without traffic, plus tolls.

plus its but ass hott. if SA ever gets a team, make sure its a dome.

oh yah, but the way. Hamilton bottom of the 9th home run wins the game vs. the Angels for ANOTHER series.

whatta team

I know. I'd like to go to a few games too, but east Garland to the ball park is about 30 - 40 min each way, then parking and 100 degree heat make it miserable.

I believe this is a 4 game series so they need to win tonight to take it 3-1.

[sribb43]

I was there last night, talking about picking the right game to go to. What clutch hitting by Michael Young and Hamilton....nothing like seeing a walk-off homer off the cocky K-Rod

[traitoravery]

Think the Rangers will make any moves before the trade deadline? We need another quality SP. I heard the Padres are shopping Wolf and Maddux.

[monosylab1k]

Think the Rangers will make any moves before the trade deadline? We need another quality SP. I heard the Padres are shopping Wolf and Maddux.

I'd rather they not move Bradley. Really the only people I wouldn't mind seeing them trade are Blalock and Laird. Gerald is great but our future catcher is either Salty, Ramirez, or Teagarden and we haven't figured that one out yet. And Blalock is complete trash but maybe he can play soon and regain a little value.

I don't want them making any moves for this year. As great as they are this year, they won't win anything. Stick to the plan for the future.

[Flight3107]

J-Ham = MVP.

No question.

Ummm.... Yeah there is





His name is Ian Kinsler

[traitoravery]

I'd rather they not move Bradley. Really the only people I wouldn't mind seeing them trade are Blalock and Laird. Gerald is great but our future catcher is either Salty, Ramirez, or Teagarden and we haven't figured that one out yet. And Blalock is complete trash but maybe he can play soon and regain a little value.

I don't want them making any moves for this year. As great as they are this year, they won't win anything. Stick to the plan for the future.

Bleh I am so sick and tired of playing for the future.

[Whisky Dog]

Bleh I am so sick and tired of playing for the future.

This time they actually have some serious young talent to work with. I say if the trade for anyone it should be for a young player to bolster next season and definitely not a short term rental to try to make the PO this season.

[Melmart1]

Yeah, no rentals for a run this year, stay the course. However, if a good opportunity for a trade for a young, long-term player becomes available, then do the trade. There are plenty of prospects that can be traded without selling the farm. Catchers, for instance ... eventually, a couple of them are going to have to go, there is simply not enough room at the upper levels for all of them.

Speaking of catchers, gotta love how resilient Max Ram is. He has been ambushed at the plate a few times and held steady like a champ.