RangersTalk 2008 Season Thread [Archive]

Melmart1

03-20-2008, 02:34 PM

I thought this was a funny read, from today's Dallas Morning News

Rangers say rash of practical jokes reflects unity

SURPRISE, Ariz. – The real measure of team chemistry isn't necessarily how much guys pat each other on the back. It's how devious they can be to one another.

The Rangers are setting franchise records in the latter.

A prank war, unlike anything seen at Rangers camp since the team moved to Arizona, has broken out in full force. Ever since Hank Blalock woke up a week ago to find his rental home covered in toilet paper and his car encased in saran wrap, it's become an all-out slapstick assault.

Beneath all the underlying comedy, though, there seems to be a message. A team that can laugh at itself and laugh together can overcome a lot of adversity.

"I think it's a good thing," said catcher Gerald Laird, the victim of three pranks in a week. "We've got some new guys in here and we've got a loose attitude. It makes the team looser, and it makes guys laugh. But make no mistake: I will be the one who has the last laugh."

First, a disclaimer: No Ranger interviewed would admit to being behind any pranks. But, when asked if they would cop to any pranks they may have already pulled, the answer was "no," also. So everybody is a suspect. And everybody is a potential victim.

"I am concerned," Frank Catalanotto said Wednesday afternoon. "I've heard a rumor that I will be next. I've been taking precautions. I've been waking up periodically at night and checking outside the windows. I've been parking my car in the garage. I've set a couple of traps."

Paranoid much, Frank?

"Absolutely not," he said. "I just want to be prepared. With all that's gone on and the info I've received, I just don't want to get caught with my pants down."

Or with his feet in jelly. Or his head in a liniment-lined helmet. Both have happened to Laird.

He went to put on his catching helmet earlier this week and felt something slimy. Closer examination revealed it had been generously lathered with warming liniment. He managed to dodge that prank, but he wasn't so lucky Tuesday morning when he undressed and slipped his feet into his shower shoes. The insoles had been coated with jelly.

This spring's activities have been quite sophomoric. Perhaps the first shot, the one pulled on Blalock, had the most intricate planning. Not only were the house and car covered, but there was a box with a birthday cake left outside the front door.

The inscription on the icing read: "Happy Birthday, Tiffany." The message: Was it teammates or just neighborhood kids with the wrong address?

What's happened in the last week has left no doubt about the perps. They are teammates.

Michael Young had his house egged, yes, egged by teammates. Blalock once went to sprinkle on some talcum powder and instead covered himself in protein powder. Brandon McCarthy also got the saran wrap treatment while the team was working out.

The difference is how widespread the jokes have become. It may be a sign of a team whose core players are relaxed and able to laugh at themselves. Something of this magnitude never broke out during the Alex Rodriguez or Mark Teixeira years.

"I think everyone in here has had a good time with it," said Catalanotto, who with 10 years of service time is one of the most experienced players on the roster. "Anything that gets guys laughing and talking in the clubhouse is a positive thing."

Said McCarthy: "It seems like you can pull something on just about anyone here, and they will take it the right way."

Young, like everybody else who has been pranked, would not confirm if he had retaliated.

"Trying to pin something on me is like trying to pin a silk hat on a pig," he said. "It just doesn't work."

He laughed maniacally. Ian Kinsler, yet to be victimized, started laughing, too.

It's a different sound than has been heard in the Rangers' clubhouse in recent springs. Oh, the Rangers are still pulling for one another. It's just that these days when they slap each other on the back, it's to affix a "Kick Me" sign.

tlongII

03-20-2008, 02:43 PM

At least they can laugh now...

monosylab1k

03-20-2008, 02:50 PM

At least they can laugh now...
I'll sig bet you that the Rangers finish the season with a better record than the Mariners.

tlongII

03-20-2008, 03:21 PM

I'll sig bet you that the Rangers finish the season with a better record than the Mariners.

You are ON! You will have one nasty sig!

T Park

03-20-2008, 04:37 PM

I'll sig bet you that the Rangers finish the season with a better record than the Mariners.

Wow that would be a leap of faith there.

The Mariner's pitching staff is pretty decent and I think they take the west.

Melmart1

03-20-2008, 07:19 PM

Yeah, Seattle is hardcore in the driver's seat. :flypig

whottt

03-20-2008, 07:44 PM

What part of Nolan Ryan is the team President don't you guys get?

Nolan = pitching

Rangers will have the best picthing staff they have had in 10 years just because of Nolan going and talking to them. He's that good.

Add in the fact that he's going to be calling the big shots and the Rangers finished fairly strong last season(I know they always finish pretty strong), and got some nice trade pick ups...

Rangers will either win the division or take the wildcard this year, riding the back of their surprising pitching staf consisting of a bunch of heretofore mediocre pitchers all having career years, journeymen salvaged off the scrap heap, and a nice but small group of young arms developing much more quickly than anyone expected.

They'll probably start out slow while Nolan figures out who sucks, and then he'll start making moves the moves to fix the team.

Yes...he's that good. Just ask Randy Johnson...or the Astros.

dallaskd

03-20-2008, 10:39 PM

The Rangers seem like a loose, fun, bonded team. i think we will have a good year, probably not playoffs but pitching is better so i see a big improvement.

G-Nob

03-28-2008, 10:10 AM

According to DMN...

Here's the Rangers' planned opening day lineup:

Pos. Player '07 avg.
2B Ian Kinsler .263
SS Michael Young .315
CF Josh Hamilton .292
3B Hank Blalock .293
DH Milton Bradley .306
LF David Murphy .340
RF Marlon Byrd .307
C Gerald Laird .224
1B Ben Broussard .275

Kind of sad we don't have a lot of power at first base.

monosylab1k

03-28-2008, 10:14 AM

It really pisses me off that Salty is starting the year at AAA, but I think that's just a move to showcase Laird for a trade.

G-Nob

03-28-2008, 10:26 AM

I don't know. I think Daniels loves Laird.

The Salty bit is very dissapointing. I have a weird feeling we could see Salty traded back to Atl since Tex is about to leave them high and dry for the bronx.

Evan

03-28-2008, 10:51 AM

So what are our expectations, Rangers fans?

I personally think the playoffs are impossible, but 80 or more wins would be a very successful season, IMO.

I'm still a believer in Ron Washington & Jon Daniels, but this team is still 2-3 years away from being a contender. Hopefully Tom Hicks doesn't fuck things up by firing either of them.

Really the only thing holding this team back from being successful is their owner. If he just writes the checks and leaves this thing alone, they'll be in good shape.

Rangers are the worst franchise in sports.

I expect them to do what hey always do. Lose, be unable to develop talent or trade away people who other clubs will develop and get garbage in return. Then at their worst Tom Hicks will sign everyone to extensions again.

This team will always be be using the rally cry of being "2 to 3 years away from doing something"…that will always be the excuse for not winning now.

Fans will always have apathy. This is a loser franchise.

I have been a fan of this team for a long time but the reality of this being the worst franchise in sports is here. This pathetic franchise has won only a single playoff game.

G-Nob

03-28-2008, 11:15 AM

I feel good about where they're going. We still have one of the best minor leagues in baseball and because they almost made the splash for Santana, who knows what big fish they could reel in the future. I'll give this mgmt a couple more years before I ask for Hicks/JD's/ Nolan's head.

Evan

03-28-2008, 11:22 AM

I wish they would just trade hank, young and millwood. If you're going to be garbage just be complete garbage and you better get some legit prospects in return.

They should have done with with juan, pudge and helling when they had the chance.

I have zero problem with a team sucking, just prove you're going to fix it right

traitoravery

03-28-2008, 02:36 PM

Rangers are the worst franchise in sports.

I expect them to do what hey always do. Lose, be unable to develop talent or trade away people who other clubs will develop and get garbage in return. Then at their worst Tom Hicks will sign everyone to extensions again.

This team will always be be using the rally cry of being "2 to 3 years away from doing something"…that will always be the excuse for not winning now.

Fans will always have apathy. This is a loser franchise.

I have been a fan of this team for a long time but the reality of this being the worst franchise in sports is here. This pathetic franchise has won only a single playoff game.

Then why dont you go jump on the Astoros bandwagon. douchebag. Don't be so negative, The season hasnt even started yet. If we can get 150-200 innings from Millwood, Padilla and Mccarthy we just might make the wildcard. But like always we negelcted pitching once again in the offseason. I predict that will be the last offseason we do that, with Nolan and all. Yeah the lineup looks sick as always. As for the Tex trade we wont really know how good that trade was until like 2010. GO RANGERS

Evan

03-28-2008, 03:16 PM

Then why dont you go jump on the Astoros bandwagon. douchebag. Don't be so negative, The season hasnt even started yet. If we can get 150-200 innings from Millwood, Padilla and Mccarthy we just might make the wildcard. But like always we negelcted pitching once again in the offseason. I predict that will be the last offseason we do that, with Nolan and all. Yeah the lineup looks sick as always. As for the Tex trade we wont really know how good that trade was until like 2010. GO RANGERS

Been a fan of this team for a loooong time. Since I was a little kid.

I have yet to ever see this franchise being capable of making a proper trades, handling their farm system, makeing solid FA moves, handle the fans properly (after all they did raise prices this year) hire good front officel people, draft and win.

After a few decades you tend to see a pattern.

I would like nothing more than this franchise get on the right path but they haven't shown any sign of being capable.

By May15th this thing is over.

http://mlb.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=tex&m=5&y=2008

tlongII

03-28-2008, 03:26 PM

The Rangers' biggest problem is that launching pad they call a stadium. Pitching is what gets you to the postseason and they won't have it as long as they play there.

Evan

03-28-2008, 03:34 PM

The Rangers' biggest problem is that launching pad they call a stadium. Pitching is what gets you to the postseason and they won't have it as long as they play there.

Supposedly....

it is the fault of the "Gold Club" and the way it affects the jet stream.

I just wish the entire franchise would hit reset.

whottt

03-28-2008, 03:51 PM

Rangers are the worst franchise in sports.

What part of Nolan Ryan is now the team President don't you get?

I expect them to do what hey always do. Lose, be unable to develop talent or trade away people who other clubs will develop and get garbage in return. Then at their worst Tom Hicks will sign everyone to extensions again.

What part of Nolan Ryan is now the team President don't you get?

This team will always be be using the rally cry of being "2 to 3 years away from doing something"…that will always be the excuse for not winning now.

Fans will always have apathy. This is a loser franchise.

I have been a fan of this team for a long time but the reality of this being the worst franchise in sports is here. This pathetic franchise has won only a single playoff game.

What part of Nolan Ryan is now the team President don't you get?

You don't think it matters? It matters.

Evan

03-28-2008, 04:06 PM

What part of Nolan Ryan is now the team President don't you get?

What part of Nolan Ryan is now the team President don't you get?

What part of Nolan Ryan is now the team President don't you get?

You don't think it matters? It matters.

Nolan Ryan has stated all the decisions he makes are all part of team decisions with Tom Hicks and Jon Daniels. So in other words...he does nothing on his own. So if your image of him has a superman cape on its wrong.

He’s coming into the breeding pit neutered.

Herschel Walker

03-28-2008, 08:44 PM

The Rangers' biggest problem is that launching pad they call a stadium. Pitching is what gets you to the postseason and they won't have it as long as they play there.

Not true. The Rockies play in the biggest launching pad of all yet they have developed excellent pitching. The Rangers lack of management at the FO and farm levels have squandered opportunities to get it right and develop pitching over and over.

traitoravery

03-29-2008, 12:39 PM

Not true. The Rockies play in the biggest launching pad of all yet they have developed excellent pitching. The Rangers lack of management at the FO and farm levels have squandered opportunities to get it right and develop pitching over and over.

ie. Chris young

Evan

03-29-2008, 01:19 PM

ie. Chris young

:toast

TheTruth

03-29-2008, 01:33 PM

You guys bitch and moan about not having any pitching, yet your team trades it's best pitching prospect for an injury prone CF.

monosylab1k

03-29-2008, 02:12 PM

You guys bitch and moan about not having any pitching, yet your team trades it's best pitching prospect for an injury prone CF.
Eh, Volquez's stock had fallen some already. And he really wasn't that highly touted anyways.

John Hart tried pushing the "D-V-D is the next Maddux-Glavine-Smoltz" selling point, but in reality none of those three were ever considered true top prospects. They might have been the best the Rangers farm system had to offer, but they weren't going to all be Cy Young pitchers. Danks was the best of the bunch and we got a guy who is considered to have more potential for him. I was against trading both Danks and Volquez, but neither of those trades were horrible deals.

Now trading Chris Young & Adrian Gonzalez for nothing......THAT is the definition of a horrible deal. Not to mention Soriano for Wilkerson, and on and on and on :bang

TheTruth

03-29-2008, 03:27 PM

Eh, Volquez's stock had fallen some already. And he really wasn't that highly touted anyways.

John Hart tried pushing the "D-V-D is the next Maddux-Glavine-Smoltz" selling point, but in reality none of those three were ever considered true top prospects. They might have been the best the Rangers farm system had to offer, but they weren't going to all be Cy Young pitchers. Danks was the best of the bunch and we got a guy who is considered to have more potential for him. I was against trading both Danks and Volquez, but neither of those trades were horrible deals.

Now trading Chris Young & Adrian Gonzalez for nothing......THAT is the definition of a horrible deal. Not to mention Soriano for Wilkerson, and on and on and on :bang
Maybe it had fallen with the Rangers, but he is absolutely tearing it up for the Reds right now. He's blowing smoke by hitters and not walking very many.

Evan

03-29-2008, 03:28 PM

You guys bitch and moan about not having any pitching, yet your team trades it's best pitching prospect for an injury prone CF.

It's beyond frustrating. This team creates more apathy than talent.

monosylab1k

03-29-2008, 05:22 PM

Maybe it had fallen with the Rangers, but he is absolutely tearing it up for the Reds right now. He's blowing smoke by hitters and not walking very many.
I hope he does well because I thought he had a great mentality out there, and he's got really really good stuff.....but we saw that a lot in Texas and it just never amounted to much of anything.

I still think he can be a great #2 or #3 guy in a rotation, and I didn't like the trade all that much at the time, but he just never wowed anybody beyond a few flashes in Texas.

monosylab1k

03-29-2008, 05:24 PM

It's beyond frustrating. This team creates more apathy than talent.
Despite some awful moves, I'm still a believer in Jon Daniels and Ron Washington. The problem of course, as it's always been with the Rangers for the past decade, is the owner.

As long as Tom Hicks is very reluctantly signing the checks, this club is never going to have sustained success.

Melmart1

03-29-2008, 10:59 PM

I would like nothing more than this franchise get on the right path but they haven't shown any sign of being capable.

If you think the Rangers aren't well on their way to turning this thing around NOW, you are not paying attention.

Melmart1

03-29-2008, 11:00 PM

Maybe it had fallen with the Rangers, but he is absolutely tearing it up for the Reds right now. He's blowing smoke by hitters and not walking very many.
I hope Edinson the best, but it's Spring Training. Let's see what he does in games that count. Not saying he won't do well but ST numbers hold very little water.

Evan

03-29-2008, 11:02 PM

If you think the Rangers aren't well on their way to turning this thing around NOW, you are not paying attention.

How so?

Explain

Evan

03-29-2008, 11:02 PM

Despite some awful moves, I'm still a believer in Jon Daniels and Ron Washington. The problem of course, as it's always been with the Rangers for the past decade, is the owner.

As long as Tom Hicks is very reluctantly signing the checks, this club is never going to have sustained success.

1. What moves has Jon made that are worthy?

2. Tom Hicks...agree.

Melmart1

03-29-2008, 11:21 PM

How so?

Explain
They jumped from no. 28 overall in the BA farm rankings to number 4 .. in ONE YEAR. This is practically unheard of and shows that what Tom Grieve started when he was GM ( a systematic plan of having an ever-replenished farm full of talent) will actually happen this time. Grieve wasn't allowed to carry the plan out completely because of impatience ... but both Daniels and Washington have gotten contract extensions, meaning for ONCE, the Rangers will have a plan that works AND see it through. Hallelujiah!

Plus, they did not overspend for FAs this season. Everyone wanted Hunter but he isn't worth the money the Angels spent ... his contract will be an albatross around their neck within two years. Instead, the Rangers are being patient and either trading for young talent or waiting for it to develop on the farm.

The fact that they optioned Hurley to AAA instead of keeping him in the rotation is another sign of patience. They don't want the same thing to happen to Volquez to happen to Hurley. He isn't quite ready yet and instead of caving in to pressure they are going to wait till he is ready and not unecessarily burn an option.

These signs all point to a team that has a solid plan and is NOT veering from it.

Plus, Nolan being here gives the team credibility it SORELY needed in the public eye and gives them one more experienced person to go to. Nolan and Daniels and Washington probably all have different outlooks but it creates a series of checks and balances and makes sure that nobody developes tunnel vision.

I personally love the direction their headed and for the first time in a decade I have true hope that they can shock the naysayers and be above .500 this season and really, truly contend next season and the Angels are imploding from bloated contracts and the Mariners still have a mostly crappy lineup with no help coming on the farm.

Just my opinion, though.

Herschel Walker

03-30-2008, 12:32 AM

Melmart, I hope your optimism is right. Ive forgotten what it's like to watch a good Rangers team, and the thought of one day soon seeing a legitimate contender Rangers team would be awesome.

monosylab1k

03-30-2008, 12:35 AM

1. What moves has Jon made that are worthy?
1. Making a concerted effort to build up the farm system and sticking with that plan.

2. Making the right move of trading away Teixeira, who was a complete asshole and chemistry killer.

He took risks early on that didn't pay off, but I think that was him being eager to make a big splash as a new GM. And initially, the Chris Young trade and the Soriano traded seemed like smart ideas.

He's settled down now, the mad scientist/MLB 2K8 trades aren't happening anymore, and he's committed to having a healthy farm system.

I don't think he's going to lead this team to sustained success (since Tom Hicks is still the owner), but I guarantee you we'll see the post-season during the Jon Daniels era.

Melmart1

03-30-2008, 12:49 AM

Melmart, I hope your optimism is right. Ive forgotten what it's like to watch a good Rangers team, and the thought of one day soon seeing a legitimate contender Rangers team would be awesome.
Have faith, man. The Golden Age is coming ... I know it's hard to tell a Rangers fan to have faith, but the good news is that they won't be awful between now and contender time. Now, I am not saying they will be great, either. But I think they will be a scrappy team that will surprise a lot of people this year and yeah, if the Angels continue to have pitching problems, maybe even contend with the Mariners. If you are paying attention, it is not that far out of the realm of possibility.

But even if they don't contend they will continue to get better and that is the first step.

Evan

03-30-2008, 09:29 AM

1. Making a concerted effort to build up the farm system and sticking with that plan.

That has only been the plan since mid season last year...I think that is a bit early to give him credit to sticking to it.

I know I am being extremely negative but damn...I have just seen this over and over again.

And for Tex...Hicks lied to us countless times saying he can't be a big player in the free agent market because they need money to re-sign Tex. Then Hicks says he is too expensive.

I agree it was the right thing to do...just sayen Hicks is 100% full of shit...

Melmart1

03-30-2008, 11:16 AM

That has only been the plan since mid season last year...I think that is a bit early to give him credit to sticking to it.

I know I am being extremely negative but damn...I have just seen this over and over again.

And for Tex...Hicks lied to us countless times saying he can't be a big player in the free agent market because they need money to re-sign Tex. Then Hicks says he is too expensive.

I agree it was the right thing to do...just sayen Hicks is 100% full of shit...
You didnt' respond to anything I pointed out, Mr. admittedly negative ...

The Tex deal was great ... I know none of them are at the ML level .. yet .. but gotdamn, those guys could be huuuuge for us later ...

Same with the Gagne trade ... I loooved Gagne here, but the Red Sox got raped in that deal ... and its hilarious to me that nobody points that out ... we got TWO ML-ready guys (Gabbard and Murphy) plus a guy whose upside is so huge I am thinking of making the trip to Surprise next year just to see him ... so don't try and honestly say that Daniels hasn't done anything on his watch ... the Gagne trade alone is enough to tell me that he is in the right direction now.

Evan

03-30-2008, 11:27 AM

You didnt' respond to anything I pointed out, Mr. admittedly negative ...

I don't have much of an opinion on it. I am fence sitting on what you said...I can see where you could both right and wrong so there is no point bogging down in an argument on those points simply to argue.

And I have every right to be negative. I have been watching this POS team for over 2 decades.

The Tex deal was great ... I know none of them are at the ML level .. yet .. but gotdamn, those guys could be huuuuge for us later ...

Of course...it could be. I have zero problem with the trade except that Hicks used Tex as an excuse to not spend money for 3 years.

Hell...I would like to trade Young. He has said he "didn't re-sign to sit around while it rebuilds"

Again...I have no problem if this team sucks with young talent as long as it stays the course and spends big at the right time.

Melmart1

03-30-2008, 11:38 AM

I don't have much of an opinion on it. I am fence sitting on what you said...I can see where you could both right and wrong so there is no point bogging down in an argument on those points simply to argue.

And I have every right to be negative. I have been watching this POS team for over 2 decades.

Of course...it could be. I have zero problem with the trade except that Hicks used Tex as an excuse to not spend money for 3 years.

Hell...I would like to trade Young. He has said he "didn't re-sign to sit around while it rebuilds"

Again...I have no problem if this team sucks with young talent as long as it stays the course and spends big at the right time.
I will NOT sit here and defend Hicks ... cus I don't care for him either ... but the fact that he extended both Wash and JD gives me hope that he is finally seeing the errors of his past ways ...

And I truly believe that Hicks used Tex as an excuse to not spend because he thought he could re-sign him. In fact, Evan Grant is on record and so is Hicks in saying that they offered Tex a huge contract, but he wanted out and there was no way around that. If you are paying attention, you will know that NOT signing Tex was really just another piece of the puzzle ... One that makes all the others come together, even if it doesn't make sense right now w, this minute ...

And by the way ... I have been a Rangers fan for 20 years now, so don't give me your bullshit about seein them fail, etc ... I know about rooting for a shitty team and having them break your heart when they could contend (i.e. 1996). In my 20 yrs as an unabashed Rangers fan I can honestly say I have never been more excited than now ... pay attention and you will know why.

Evan

03-30-2008, 11:48 AM

I will NOT sit here and defend Hicks ... cus I don't care for him either ... but the fact that he extended both Wash and JD gives me hope that he is finally seeing the errors of his past ways ...

He extends everyone...hell...John Hart is a part of this team until 2013 or something like that.

In fact, Evan Grant is on record and so is Hicks in saying that they offered Tex a huge contract, but he wanted out and there was no way around that. If you are paying attention, you will know that NOT signing Tex was really just another piece of the puzzle ... One that makes all the others come together, even if it doesn't make sense right now w, this minute ...

Oh that Rangers battle cry.."We tried"...yes I have heard it...

Tex would have been a disaster...no doubt...my pont was Hicks lying. Nothing more than that.

And by the way ... I have been a Rangers fan for 20 years now, so don't give me your bullshit about seein them fail, etc ..

Whats bullshit about that? They failed...I watched them...so I don't see where you're going with that.

monosylab1k

03-30-2008, 12:05 PM

I don't know if the Rangers have been failing for 20 years. Those late 90's teams were great despite just one playoff win....i mean they ran into a freakin buzzsaw. Nobody else beat the Yankees those years either.

Evan

03-30-2008, 12:07 PM

monosylab1k

03-30-2008, 12:10 PM

1 playoff win in their history.

Who...in any sport... has achieved less?
First off, back when the pennant race consisted of 2 teams from each league, it was considerably tougher to even make it into the playoffs. Even in this current system, only 4 teams from each league make it. Just making it to the playoffs is a huge accomplishment in baseball.

And they ran into a dynasty in their playoff years. Nobody was beating the Yankees those years, the Yankees went 33-7 in those 3 years the Rangers made the playoffs. Were you expecting them to do something?

They got the shit end of the stick as far as drawing a playoff opponent. If they had the luck of catching the Indians or Red Sox back then, they'd easily have won a playoff series. But they caught the Yankees all 3 times.

Evan

03-30-2008, 12:12 PM

First off, back when the pennant race consisted of 2 teams from each league, it was considerably tougher to even make it into the playoffs. Even in this current system, only 4 teams from each league make it. Just making it to the playoffs is a huge accomplishment in baseball.

And they ran into a dynasty in their playoff years. Nobody was beating the Yankees those years, the Yankees went 33-7 in those 3 years the Rangers made the playoffs. Were you expecting them to do something?

They got the shit end of the stick as far as drawing a playoff opponent. If they had the luck of catching the Indians or Red Sox back then, they'd easily have won a playoff series. But they caught the Yankees all 3 times.

somehow everyone else has managed to win more than 1

monosylab1k

03-30-2008, 12:14 PM

somehow everyone else has managed to win more than 1
Yeah I'm sure all the Royals & Pirates fans feel proud to one-up Rangers fans by bringing up their multiple playoff wins back in 1982.

Evan

03-30-2008, 12:16 PM

Yeah I'm sure all the Royals & Pirates fans feel proud to one-up Rangers fans by bringing up their multiple playoff wins back in 1982.

The fact is, they have done more than the Rangers.

They have scoreboard...as pathetic as it is. :lol

monosylab1k

03-30-2008, 12:22 PM

The fact is, they have done more than the Rangers.

They have scoreboard...as pathetic as it is. :lol
Not really. That's about as ridiculous as Kings fans claiming scoreboard over the Mavs cuz of their title as the Rochester Royals back in 1958 or whatever.

Evan

03-30-2008, 12:22 PM

Not really. That's about as ridiculous as Kings fans claiming scoreboard over the Mavs cuz of their title as the Rochester Royals back in 1958 or whatever.

You're missing my original point...what franchise has done less?

monosylab1k

03-30-2008, 12:23 PM

You're missing my original point...what franchise has done less?
Tampa Bay

monosylab1k

03-30-2008, 12:23 PM

The Grizzlies

monosylab1k

03-30-2008, 12:24 PM

Houston Texans

Evan

03-30-2008, 12:28 PM

the fact that you have to use new franchises in comparison proves my point a bit.

Evan

03-30-2008, 12:51 PM

First off, back when the pennant race consisted of 2 teams from each league, it was considerably tougher to even make it into the playoffs. Even in this current system, only 4 teams from each league make it. Just making it to the playoffs is a huge accomplishment in baseball.

And they ran into a dynasty in their playoff years. Nobody was beating the Yankees those years, the Yankees went 33-7 in those 3 years the Rangers made the playoffs. Were you expecting them to do something?

They got the shit end of the stick as far as drawing a playoff opponent. If they had the luck of catching the Indians or Red Sox back then, they'd easily have won a playoff series. But they caught the Yankees all 3 times.

And by the way...that team wasn't doing anything regardless of whether or not they faced the Yankees. Their pitching was awful and it was a matter of who lost less in the AL West (which was heralded as one of the weakest divisions at the time) who made the playoffs. Lets not have revisionist history here.

As a fan I want them to do well but they are what they are.

Johnny_Blaze_47

03-30-2008, 05:39 PM

I'll sig bet you that the Rangers finish the season with a better record than the Mariners.

I have a $10 bet with a co-worker on this same criteria.

I'm going to pimp his Rangers blog since he's asked me to contribute to it as well.

http://rangersnation.blogspot.com

Evan

03-30-2008, 08:10 PM

I have a $10 bet with a co-worker on this same criteria.

I'm going to pimp his Rangers blog since he's asked me to contribute to it as well.

http://rangersnation.blogspot.com

I really hope they do well....nothing would me me happier than a true legit contender in 2011.

This area is baseball starved...they could own this area. Hicks better get it done before someone else finds a way around that "non compete zoning" restriction.

Cuban says there is a way around it

monosylab1k

03-31-2008, 09:34 AM

the fact that you have to use new franchises in comparison proves my point a bit.
No it doesn't. You said yourself that doesn't matter. The bottom line is the Rangers have scoreboard.

monosylab1k

03-31-2008, 09:40 AM

Their pitching was awful and it was a matter of who lost less in the AL West (which was heralded as one of the weakest divisions at the time) who made the playoffs. Lets not have revisionist history here.
Aaron Sele was a very solid pitcher in his time here, and Rick Helling was a 20 game winner. They always had solid relievers, whether it was Crabtree or Zimmerman or whoever else. John Wetteland was one of the top closers in the game.

In the AL West back in 96-99, there were the Oakland A's with Jason Giambi, Eric Chavez, Miguel Tejada, Tim Hudson, Kenny Rogers, etc. The Mariners only had the two best players in the game, A-Rod & Griffey, and that guy Randy Johnson....that's all. And the Angels weren't pushovers either.

I have no idea where you heard the AL West was the weakest division in baseball back then. That's borderline comical. The AL Central was considered far weaker than the AL West, hence the Indians being able to dominate with little resistance.

And the Rangers won 90, 88, and 95 games those years they made the playoffs. Not exactly weak.

Let's not have revisionist history here.

TheTruth

03-31-2008, 10:19 AM

Mono, those were some bad divisions. VERY BAD.

AL West Standings 1996
AL West W L Pct. GB
Texas Rangers 90 72 .556 --
Seattle Mariners 85 76 .528 4½
Oakland Athletics 78 84 .481 12
California Angels 70 91 .435 19½

AL West Standings 1997
AL West W L Pct. GB
Seattle Mariners 90 72 .556 --
Anaheim Angels 84 78 .519 6
Texas Rangers 77 85 .475 13
Oakland Athletics 65 97 .401 25

AL West Standings 1998
AL West W L Pct. GB
Texas Rangers 88 74 .543 --
Anaheim Angels 85 77 .525 3
Seattle Mariners 76 85 .472 11½
Oakland Athletics 74 88 .457 14

AL West Standings 1999
AL West W L Pct. GB
Texas Rangers 95 67 .586 --
Oakland Athletics 87 75 .537 8
Seattle Mariners 79 83 .488 16
Anaheim Angels 70 92 .432 25

AL West Standings 2000
AL West W L Pct. GB
Oakland Athletics 91 70 .565 --
Seattle Mariners 91 71 .562 ½
Anaheim Angels 82 80 .506 9½
Texas Rangers 71 91 .438 20½

And those A's teams didn't start taking off until 99 (when the Rangers were terrible). They were on the roster in 98 but were very young.

monosylab1k

03-31-2008, 10:26 AM

Mono, those were some bad divisions. VERY BAD.

And those A's teams didn't start taking off until 99 (when the Rangers were terrible). They were on the roster in 98 but were very young.
look at the other AL divisions and tell me what you see. You see the Yankees dominating and the Indians playing a bunch of nobodies. The AL West had a lot of talent those years.

To say the Rangers were merely benefactors of a terrible division is horribly inaccurate. They could beat everybody but the Yankees back then, and that's the bottom line. They ran into THE dominating dynasty of our time, and that's the reason they have only one playoff win. If they had the luck of catching Cleveland or Boston in the 1st round of the playoffs, the Rangers would have easily advanced to the ALCS, where they'd promptly get slaughtered by the Yankees like every other team did back then.

Herschel Walker

03-31-2008, 10:42 AM

opening night for the Rangers and they start with a road trip in LA. Interested to see how these "loose" new Rangers come out of the gate.

leemajors

03-31-2008, 10:55 AM

i've heard jennings looks decent, and is actually healthy. he can eat up innings, and used to do decently in coors. could bode well for the strange.

Melmart1

03-31-2008, 11:04 AM

opening night for the Rangers and they start with a road trip in LA. Interested to see how these "loose" new Rangers come out of the gate.
Actually, they play the Mariners today.

5:40pm on FSN, baby! Pre-game starts at 5pm.

GO RANGERS!!!!!!!

Melmart1

03-31-2008, 11:05 AM

i've heard jennings looks decent, and is actually healthy. he can eat up innings, and used to do decently in coors. could bode well for the strange.
He's been very good. So has Padilla, he didn't give up a single run all through Spring Training. Of course, McCarthy was placed on the 60-day DL to start the season :madrun

But, if the rest of the pitching staff stays healthy, I guess I can deal with not having McCarthy till June.

Herschel Walker

03-31-2008, 11:17 AM

Actually, they play the Mariners today.

5:40pm on FSN, baby! Pre-game starts at 5pm.

GO RANGERS!!!!!!!

That's right, I had it backwards on the road trip out of the gate. Seattle then LA. Hopefully they can go .500 or better on this trip. That'd be a great start for this team.

Melmart1

03-31-2008, 11:24 AM

That's right, I had it backwards on the road trip out of the gate. Seattle then LA. Hopefully they can go .500 or better on this trip. That'd be a great start for this team.
Anything would be better than last season's start. Something like 1-7 or along those lines.

With LAA's top two pitchers out, now is the time to pounce and put them in a hole that they will (hopefully) have some trouble digging out of later. Not having both Lackey and Escobar is gonna hurt them bad. The AL West could be up for grabs depending on how their pitching situation shakes out.

TheTruth

03-31-2008, 12:35 PM

look at the other AL divisions and tell me what you see. You see the Yankees dominating and the Indians playing a bunch of nobodies. The AL West had a lot of talent those years.

1996 East Division
Team W L WL% GB
NewYorkY NYY 92 70 .568 --
Bltmore BAL 88 74 .543 4.0
BostonRS BOS 85 77 .525 7.0
Toronto TOR 74 88 .457 18.0
Detroit DET 53 109 .327 39.0

1997 East Division
Team W L WL% GB
Bltmore BAL 98 64 .605 --
NewYorkY NYY 96 66 .593 2.0
Detroit DET 79 83 .488 19.0
BostonRS BOS 78 84 .481 20.0
Toronto TOR 76 86 .469 22.0

1998 East Division
Team W L WL% GB
NewYorkY NYY 114 48 .704 --
BostonRS BOS 92 70 .568 22.0
Toronto TOR 88 74 .543 26.0
Bltmore BAL 79 83 .488 35.0
TampaBay TBD 63 99 .389 51.0

1999 East Division
Team W L WL% GB
NewYorkY NYY 98 64 .605 --
BostonRS BOS 94 68 .580 4.0
Toronto TOR 84 78 .519 14.0
Bltmore BAL 78 84 .481 20.0
TampaBay TBD 69 93 .426 29.0

You want to try again? Every year there are at least 2 elite teams. Do you always just talk out of your ass before reasearching anything?

monosylab1k

03-31-2008, 12:49 PM

1996 East Division
Team W L WL% GB
NewYorkY NYY 92 70 .568 --
Bltmore BAL 88 74 .543 4.0
BostonRS BOS 85 77 .525 7.0
Toronto TOR 74 88 .457 18.0
Detroit DET 53 109 .327 39.0

1997 East Division
Team W L WL% GB
Bltmore BAL 98 64 .605 --
NewYorkY NYY 96 66 .593 2.0
Detroit DET 79 83 .488 19.0
BostonRS BOS 78 84 .481 20.0
Toronto TOR 76 86 .469 22.0

1998 East Division
Team W L WL% GB
NewYorkY NYY 114 48 .704 --
BostonRS BOS 92 70 .568 22.0
Toronto TOR 88 74 .543 26.0
Bltmore BAL 79 83 .488 35.0
TampaBay TBD 63 99 .389 51.0

1999 East Division
Team W L WL% GB
NewYorkY NYY 98 64 .605 --
BostonRS BOS 94 68 .580 4.0
Toronto TOR 84 78 .519 14.0
Bltmore BAL 78 84 .481 20.0
TampaBay TBD 69 93 .426 29.0

You want to try again? Every year there are at least 2 elite teams. Do you always just talk out of your ass before reasearching anything?
What part of "The Yankees dominating" does your 5 seconds of clicking on baseball-reference.com that passes as "research" disprove?

Do you always just talk out of your ass before reading what people post?

Whisky Dog

03-31-2008, 12:58 PM

That's right, I had it backwards on the road trip out of the gate. Seattle then LA. Hopefully they can go .500 or better on this trip. That'd be a great start for this team.

AJ, you watching the opening game tonight?

Melmart1

03-31-2008, 03:39 PM

Another reason why the kids, they shouldn't be running around in the cold weather: Ian Kinsler is sick. He is out of the starting lineup with a fever. Ramon Vazquez will play second base and be the Rangers' first hitter of the 2008 season.

-- as per Evan Grant of the DMN.

Good gawd, it's starting already. :pctoss

Evan

03-31-2008, 04:04 PM

Good gawd, it's starting already. :pctoss

I still say the worst this thing gets the better.

tlongII

03-31-2008, 04:14 PM

Actually, they play the Mariners today.

5:40pm on FSN, baby! Pre-game starts at 5pm.

GO RANGERS!!!!!!!

Let's go M's! Wish I could be there!...

Melmart1

03-31-2008, 04:23 PM

Let's go M's! Wish I could be there!...
I wouldn't want to be there ... its fricken coooold!

But its raining up in Dallas area, so if it were here in TX instead of Seattle, the game likely would have been postponed. And that would piss me off so bad, I have been looking forward to the season getting started for awhile.

Whisky Dog

03-31-2008, 04:37 PM

I wouldn't want to be there ... its fricken coooold!

But its raining up in Dallas area, so if it were here in TX instead of Seattle, the game likely would have been postponed. And that would piss me off so bad, I have been looking forward to the season getting started for awhile.

We're having tornado warnings up here in the Frisco/Carrollton/Plano area with a pretty strong storm going right through Arlington and heading right for me in Mesquite. No doubt the game would probably be postponed or at least seriously delayed if played here. Looks like my night will be watching the game hoping not to get blown away.

Melmart1

03-31-2008, 04:52 PM

Now it looks like Ian is going to play after all, according to Jamey Newberg.

Melmart1

03-31-2008, 05:03 PM

We're having tornado warnings up here in the Frisco/Carrollton/Plano area with a pretty strong storm going right through Arlington and heading right for me in Mesquite. No doubt the game would probably be postponed or at least seriously delayed if played here. Looks like my night will be watching the game hoping not to get blown away.
Wow, I jsut read that it was raining, I had no idea the conditions were so bad. Sorry to hear that and I hope you are safe.

If you are near Frisco, do you go to the RoughRiders games often? I try to make as many games when they come here to play the Missions.

Herschel Walker

03-31-2008, 05:05 PM

AJ, you watching the opening game tonight?
Yeah, I was planning on it. I get off work in about 15 min. Hey, didn't those blonde twins you met last weekend say they loved watching the Rangers? Give them a call we can meet up at yours or my place. Call and let ne know

tlongII

03-31-2008, 05:17 PM

Melmart1

03-31-2008, 05:49 PM

It is a little cold, but the weather is clear. It actually will be pretty nice for the series. Excellent weather for pitchers.
Excellent weather for a Michael Young home run :)

Johnny_Blaze_47

03-31-2008, 06:57 PM

Liveblogging at http://rangersnation.blogspot.com.

tlongII

03-31-2008, 07:20 PM

1-0 Rangers in the bottom of the 5th. Looks like a pitcher's duel in a pitcher's park.

Johnny_Blaze_47

03-31-2008, 07:24 PM

1-0 Rangers in the bottom of the 5th. Looks like a pitcher's duel in a pitcher's park.

Rangers should honestly be up by 3 or 4 runs with Bedard's lack of control.

Whisky Dog

03-31-2008, 08:28 PM

Excellent weather for a Michael Young home run :)

Nice call.

I've actually never been to a Rough Riders game, when I go to games I go to Rangers games. Arlington is actually about the same distance from me here in Mesquite as Frisco, although I did see a concert at that Dr. Pepper Park and it seems pretty nice for minor league ball.

Rangers started off well enough but not cashing in on the runners in scoring position killed them. Nice seeing them being pretty disciplined at the plate, but they're gonna have to turn those good counts into runs.

monosylab1k

03-31-2008, 09:18 PM

dammit this team SUCKS!

0-162 is on its way.

monosylab1k

03-31-2008, 09:19 PM

Just kidding :)

monosylab1k

03-31-2008, 09:19 PM

It's a knee-jerk reaction, I know, but I'm thinking our bullpen is going to be the weakest link this season.

traitoravery

03-31-2008, 10:25 PM

Atleast they didnt lose 10-2.

BUMP

03-31-2008, 10:47 PM

this game seems like a carven copy of last season.

Melmart1

04-01-2008, 01:11 AM

this game seems like a carven copy of last season.
Are you fucking kidding me?

Last season, Bedard K'd 15 Rangers in a single game. Today, he got chased after 5 innings because he had already thrown 30 pitches after one and the Rangers were patient as hell. Last year, MY had 9 home runs all season. He already has 1 after one game. And when was the last time Millwood threw five innings of shutout ball ... or even made it to the fifth inning?

A loss is a loss and I am not going to play the rah-rah role but shit ... one game against a guy who woulda won Cy Young last year had he not been shut down early, and you are proclaiming them a failure? This team is obviously quite different from last year's. Give them a fucking chance.

monosylab1k

04-01-2008, 08:52 AM

not having Teixeira around has definitely lightened this team up and has them playing Ron Washington's style of ball. For the first game at least. I think this team is in good shape.

MoSpur

04-01-2008, 09:07 AM

Same as last year so far. They need better pitching.

tlongII

04-01-2008, 10:27 PM

Are you fucking kidding me?

Last season, Bedard K'd 15 Rangers in a single game. Today, he got chased after 5 innings because he had already thrown 30 pitches after one and the Rangers were patient as hell. Last year, MY had 9 home runs all season. He already has 1 after one game. And when was the last time Millwood threw five innings of shutout ball ... or even made it to the fifth inning?

A loss is a loss and I am not going to play the rah-rah role but shit ... one game against a guy who woulda won Cy Young last year had he not been shut down early, and you are proclaiming them a failure? This team is obviously quite different from last year's. Give them a fucking chance.

Bedard struggled during spring training so I wouldn't get excited about chasing him after 5 innings. Especially when you only scored 1 run off him.

dallaskd

04-01-2008, 11:46 PM

Whew, Ranger fans....how GOOD does it feel to see Brad Wilkerson NOT in a Rangers uniform.

btw...Murphy is looking strong tonight, as does the pitching. :tu

tlongII

04-01-2008, 11:50 PM

Lol!

dallaskd

04-02-2008, 12:00 AM

shit happens

tlongII

04-02-2008, 12:13 AM

Dammit!

slayermin

04-02-2008, 12:15 AM

Did Josh Hamilton just hit a two run homer off Putz?

FirebatMIV

04-02-2008, 12:23 AM

Josh Hamilton - The Natural.

FirebatMIV

04-02-2008, 12:23 AM

And whichever idiot was talking about "they need pitching."

They do have decent pitching, they need a better infield. I eagerly await the Elvis Andrus era.

slayermin

04-02-2008, 12:29 AM

Josh Hamilton - The Natural.

What, he can finish 20 hamburgers in one sitting?

Man, closers not doing very well early on.

tlongII

04-02-2008, 12:31 AM

Entertaining game.

Herschel Walker

04-02-2008, 12:47 AM

FirebatMIV

04-02-2008, 12:57 AM

Hamilton's gotta be the biggest CF Ive ever seen run down balls like he did tonight. If he stays healthy and produces consistently he's going to be a steal. The guy does have all the tools.

Hopefully Kinsler and Young were off because of illness, because that was some shitty fielding.

I am a firm believer in good defense being very important over 162 games. The Rangers have a pretty decent foundation in the minors with Julio Borbon (CF), Elvis Andrus (SS), and Taylor Teagarden (C). Now with Hamilton and Murphy both looking very good, they might have a pretty good defense in a few years.

monosylab1k

04-02-2008, 09:23 AM

161-1 is on it's way!

yavozerb

04-02-2008, 09:36 AM

David Murphy needs to be batting #2 in this line-up...The guy is probably the best contact hitter on the team and young can bat 3rd.
Kinsler,Murphy,Young,Hamilton,Bradley,and Blaylock is a pretty good top of the batting order..

monosylab1k

04-02-2008, 09:42 AM

Melmart1

04-02-2008, 11:07 AM

It's only two games into the year, but Ian Kinsler is already looking like he did absolutely nothing to improve his fielding during the offseason.

Amazing that we get rid of Soriano and replace him with an even bigger butcher at 2B.
His defense improved a lot the last couple of months last year. Let's give him some games w/o a 103 degree fever or without taking a ball off hte finger and see if he gets better.

MoSpur

04-02-2008, 11:32 AM

Good win for the Rangers. I am ready for them to stop coming in last place.

sribb43

04-02-2008, 11:55 AM

I really dont like Kinsler leading off...i think he is better suited at #2 or #6..i dont know if Murphy can lead off but it appears that he makes contact and isnt a strike out maching which is key for a leadoff man

1. Murphy
2. Young
3. Hamilton
4. Blalock
5. Bradley
6. Kinsler
7. Cat
8. Laird
9. Broussard

FirebatMIV

04-02-2008, 07:52 PM

MoSpur

04-03-2008, 09:18 AM

I'm not too worried about this series with the Mariners. The Mariners are going to be a very good team.

monosylab1k

04-03-2008, 09:26 AM

This isn't a bad start to the year. They're still figuring out this new offensive philosophy, which is understandably tough since the Rangers have had the "swing for the fences every time" mentality for over a decade. Now they're trying to learn how to manufacture runs.

The big thing is that they're staying competitive and fighting. Lots of times last year this team looked like they had no fight in them.

Herschel Walker

04-03-2008, 09:34 AM

MoSpur

04-03-2008, 10:22 AM

Jennings made two horrible pitches up in the zone that got tattoed for 4 runs. Other than that, he and the bullpen looked good. Definitely a work in progress, but at least it's three quality starts in a row for the starting rotation. Can't remember the last time that happened to start a season.

Good point. If their pitching can be solid and not give up too many runs, the Rangers will be in pretty good shape. The runs are gonna be there more often than not.

Evan

04-03-2008, 10:37 AM

would you guys trade young?

tlongII

04-03-2008, 03:35 PM

Nice series for the M's! Our pitching is looking solid.

Whisky Dog

04-03-2008, 08:47 PM

Nice series for the M's! Our pitching is looking solid.

The top 3 looked damn solid. That fat guy that threw last night looked lights out.

FirebatMIV

04-03-2008, 10:22 PM

The top 3 looked damn solid. That fat guy that threw last night looked lights out.

Carlos Silva is a decent pitcher. He's not as good as last night suggests. He'll get 8 runed at least 3 times this year.

The M's rotation looks good if Bedard/Felix stays healthy. Other than that, though, guys like Washburn, Batista and Silva are pretty mediocre. They're going to miss SHerril this year, and Putz needs to be healthy because as it stands right now, they have 1 above average pen arm (Mark Lowe), two decent guys (O'Flaherty and Green) and a whole bag of nada

Evan

04-04-2008, 10:06 AM

Daniels!!! :bang

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

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7412

monosylab1k

04-04-2008, 10:31 AM

Daniels!!! :bang

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

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7412
One decent game out of Danks :wakeup

And get over the Chris Young trade. It sucked but it's way in the past. Just give it a rest.

Evan

04-04-2008, 10:35 AM

One decent game out of Danks :wakeup

And get over the Chris Young trade. It sucked but it's way in the past. Just give it a rest.

As long as Daniels is here it's not in the past. Its part of his resume and ability to make decisions.

Jerry still gets it for trading two 1's for Joey.

dallaskd

04-04-2008, 03:08 PM

Daniels is a shitty ass GM but the Salty deal was good and we dont know what we got with Andrus and some of the other people he has picked up.

1-2 so far. Time to pick up early tonight vs the angels

Evan

04-04-2008, 03:09 PM

Daniels is a shitty ass GM but the Salty deal was good and we dont know what we got with Andrus and some of the other people he has picked up.

1-2 so far. Time to pick up early tonight vs the angels

Very true. I am trying to be fair but the mistakes are pretty obvious.

It is what it is at this point.

FirebatMIV

04-04-2008, 04:05 PM

You know, sometimes I wonder if there's a stupid virus in the DFW area. Apparently, there is, because the last few posts have feature a whole lot of stupid. Look twat mouths, one bad trade, that's it. The Chris Young trade was awful, but you know, their evaluations were largely correct - Chris wouldn't be a good fit because of his FB tendencies and he does tend to breakdown. The part that was wrong was their awful, just plain miserable evaluation of Adam Eaton and Adrian Gonzalez.

The Soriano trade was what it was, they traded a guy that was going to leave for a guy coming off of some pretty good seasons. It was praised at the time. The Danks-McCarthy trade was what it was, trading a guy 1 year away for a guy that was there now. McCarthy had no history of injury before either in the minors or in the majors.

Daniels is a GM that took a farm system decimated by idiotic free agent signings and turned it into a top 5 system within 3 years. He got great returns for the Teixeira, Gagne and Josh Hamilton-Edinson Volquez trades. That's some great deals, and if you can't see that, the stupidity epidemic must be worse than I thought.

Melmart1

04-04-2008, 10:19 PM

Ben Broussard with a grand slam :smokin

Rangers up 5-0 in Anaheim in the 4th ...

GO RANGERS!!!!!!!!!

T Park

04-04-2008, 11:05 PM

and Josh Hamilton-Edinson Volquez trades

trading pitching for hitting never makes sense.

That can't EVER be spun.

Gabbard pitching pretty damn good tonight.

FirebatMIV

04-05-2008, 01:24 AM

trading pitching for hitting never makes sense.

That can't EVER be spun.

Gabbard pitching pretty damn good tonight.

When that hitter is a generational type talent you damn right it makes sense. Especially if he mans Center-field like Hamilton has these first few games. These kind of statements are the absolute, always-knows-best truisms that infect casual Rangers fandom.

Herschel Walker

04-05-2008, 01:26 AM

They gave Volquez every chance to shine and he was never consistent. Trading mediocre pitching for good or great hitting/fielding can be spun a great number of ways. If Hamilton keeps producing it's a steal for only giving up inconsistent pitching.

Melmart1

04-05-2008, 07:15 AM

trading pitching for hitting never makes sense.

That can't EVER be spun.

Gabbard pitching pretty damn good tonight.
It can when the best CF to play on your squad in over a decade is Laynce Nix -- a guy who can't seem to get out of AAA past September callups. Hamilton is a stud and I think its a great trade. Volquez was inconsistent and obviously needed a change of scenery, much like Cordero. I would do this trade again in a heartbeat.

If you are paying attention, hitting is as much of a concern this year as pitching is, in fact its more of a concern. I realize that you drones who claim to know about the Rangers keep rehashing the same tired shit about pitching over and over but if you had a clue you would realize that the batting order has some holes as well. Hamilton filled a very big one this offseason and he is a big reason why the Rangers have a chance to really step it up the season.

Evan

04-05-2008, 08:43 AM

It can when the best CF to play on your squad in over a decade is Laynce Nix -- a guy who can't seem to get out of AAA past September callups. Hamilton is a stud and I think its a great trade. Volquez was inconsistent and obviously needed a change of scenery, much like Cordero. I would do this trade again in a heartbeat.

If you are paying attention, hitting is as much of a concern this year as pitching is, in fact its more of a concern. I realize that you drones who claim to know about the Rangers keep rehashing the same tired shit about pitching over and over but if you had a clue you would realize that the batting order has some holes as well. Hamilton filled a very big one this offseason and he is a big reason why the Rangers have a chance to really step it up the season.

But how came the baseball cliche of "you never trade good pitching for a question mark" doesn't apply here?

TheTruth

04-05-2008, 09:07 AM

Melmart1

04-05-2008, 09:13 AM

But how came the baseball cliche of "you never trade good pitching for a question mark" doesn't apply here?
I don't know about that cliche, since that's not what happened. We traded a question mark for a question mark.

Melmart1

04-05-2008, 09:15 AM

Hamilton played one good (but very injury plagued) year for the Reds. In that one year he became quite possibly one of my favorite 10 Reds of all time. I hope he turns into a hall of famer for you guys.
:tu

And I hope Volqueso gets his shit together and does well for you guys as well. I would love to see him succeed, I just don't think it was going to happen here.

Evan

04-05-2008, 09:21 AM

Hamilton played one good (but very injury plagued) year for the Reds. In that one year he became quite possibly one of my favorite 10 Reds of all time. I hope he turns into a hall of famer for you guys.

I was born in Dayton (moved to Texas at 5) so cincin has always been my adopted NL team. Everything I read and see from Josh makes me like the guy more and more.

I don't know about that cliche, since that's not what happened. We traded a question mark for a question mark.

I don't agree but fair enough. :toast

TheTruth

04-05-2008, 09:38 AM

How can you not like a guy who has battled the demons he has and come through so far. The guy is a total class act right now. I loved watching him, and honestly teared up a bit when he hit the homer to start the season last year. I was bummed when he was moved, but with Jay Bruce waiting in the wings and pitching always a premium, the moved had to be made. Plus Volquez has been lights out in the minors. Hope it works out for both teams.

Evan

04-05-2008, 09:44 AM

How can you not like a guy who has battled the demons he has and come through so far.

Absolutely. One can always see themselves in people like him. I really want this to work.

hah...I still can't wrap my brain around such a huge effing dude stalking centerfield.

TheTruth

04-05-2008, 09:48 AM

Absolutely. One can always see themselves in people like him. I really want this to work.

hah...I still can't wrap my brain around such a huge effing dude stalking centerfield.
He's an absolute monster. Those tats make him even more intimidating. If he hits less than 40 homers this season, It'll be because of injury. Drugs and injury are the only things that can stop him now.

Evan

04-05-2008, 09:54 AM

He's an absolute monster. Those tats make him even more intimidating. If he hits less than 40 homers this season, It'll be because of injury. Drugs and injury are the only things that can stop him now.

Drugs....

As much as a mess this team is I don't think they have any problem people substance abuse wise that can help him get off track. I have a feeling teammates will keep him occupied.

If he misses 40 days so be it..any more than that...ugh....

TheTruth

04-05-2008, 10:00 AM

yeah, its tough with him. he can't take the normal pain killers to help fight smaller injuries. He'll be battling that his whole career.

Evan

04-05-2008, 10:02 AM

I'll be dammed...TheTruth just got me excited about this team again. I'm actually looking forward to tonights game.

TheTruth

04-05-2008, 10:11 AM

I'm a Texan. I root for the Rangers in the AL. Fuck the Astros though. Go reds.

Melmart1

04-05-2008, 10:57 AM

I'm a Texan. I root for the Rangers in the AL. Fuck the Astros though. Go reds.
I knew there was something I liked about you :)

Herschel Walker

04-05-2008, 01:19 PM

monosylab1k

04-05-2008, 01:33 PM

But how came the baseball cliche of "you never trade good pitching for a question mark" doesn't apply here?
You don't follow the Rangers if you think Edinson Volquez ever gave them good pitching.

FirebatMIV

04-05-2008, 02:38 PM

You don't follow the Rangers if you think Edinson Volquez ever gave them good pitching.

Word, unless you're a redhawks fan, you probably never consistently saw "good Eddy" rather than "Pedro Astacio Eddy".

FirebatMIV

04-05-2008, 02:42 PM

But how came the baseball cliche of "you never trade good pitching for a question mark" doesn't apply here?

Because 1) it's not what happened 2) it's subjective and 3) it happens all the freakin time. Esteban Loaiza for Michael Young, Andrew Brown for Milton Bradley, etc, etc. There's a lot of instances where servicable pitchers gets traded for everyday position players with question marks.

FirebatMIV

04-05-2008, 02:43 PM

The Rangers are .500 this late in the season!!! How long since that happened? :lol

Seriously... I'm going to enjoy this optimism as long as it lasts. Be it another week or 6 months, just gonna enjoy it.

I don't think we've been a above-500 team since the last days of August 06, I believe.

Evan

04-05-2008, 02:51 PM

You don't follow the Rangers if you think Edinson Volquez ever gave them good pitching.

Daniels!!! :bang

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

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7412

Melmart1

04-05-2008, 03:13 PM

Word, unless you're a redhawks fan, you probably never consistently saw "good Eddy" rather than "Pedro Astacio Eddy".
THis brings back memories of a doubleheader against the White Sox I went to about two years ago.

CJ Wilson started game 1 and did really well. Funny that he is the closer now. Volquez had just been called up and started game 2. Oh. My. God. I never saw a worse display of pitching in my life, at least not live. It was horrid. You could tell he had good stuff ... if he could just locate it. But it just never happened. Story of his career w/ the Rangers. His line that day:

Texas Rangers IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
E Volquez, L (0-1) 4.2 6 5 5 2 3 1 9.63

Of course, it didn't help that Way Back Wasdin came in to relieve him :dizzy

Funny note .. the opposing SP for the White Sox vs. Volquez was Brandon McCarthy. He got a shutout that day. Blech.

FirebatMIV

04-05-2008, 03:16 PM

John Danks has never pitched for the Rangers, so you must be a Redhawks fan. Chris Young is good, but if you'd take a minute to look at park adjusted ERAs or Chris Young and Kason Gabbard, you'll know why he isn't as good as his park make him out to be. Still a dumb trade though, but Billy Beane once traded Jeremy Bonderman for Ted Lilly and Tim Hudson for the mighty Dan Meyer/Charles Thomas combo. Theo Epstein traded Bronson Arroyo for Wily Mo Pena. Expecting a GM to bat 1000 is pretty stupid.

Almost as stupid as claiming John Danks will be better than Brandon McCarthy 1 year out.

StylisticS

04-05-2008, 03:59 PM

The Rangers are .500 this late in the season!!! How long since that happened? :lol

Seriously... I'm going to enjoy this optimism as long as it lasts. Be it another week or 6 months, just gonna enjoy it.

Baseball is the only sport where everybody really i mean really just has so much optimism for their team to have a winning season for some reason more than any other sport. Am I off on that one or not?

Herschel Walker

04-05-2008, 05:10 PM

If you're a Rangers fan who still watches and pays attention even through the losing, then this young and scrappy lineup is a breath of fresh air. It's far from elite, but it's nice to see a group and a manager who so far seem to give a fuck.

monosylab1k

04-05-2008, 07:02 PM

But how came the baseball cliche of "you never trade good pitching for a question mark" doesn't apply here?
Danks never pitched in the majors, McCarthy had, and McCarthy was rated as a better prospect than Danks at the time. So that trade you're bitching about wasn't a case of "good pitching for a question mark" because Danks & McCarthy were both question marks.

And Chris Young for Adam Eaton was trading a decent prospect who had fatigue issues for a guy who was a proven Major League pitcher who theoretically would be a better fit since he wasn't just a RH fastball pitcher, he had a better curveball than fastball, and he was in a contract year. The trade failed because Eaton got hurt and then came back & proceeded to not give a shit since pitchers get big contracts regardless of performance these days. Not because Daniels traded good pitching for a question mark. Again, with his fatigue issues, Chris Young was the question mark. Adam Eaton just failed to give his best to the organization.

Seriously, do you watch baseball at all, or just hear when Dan McDowell bitches about the Rangers and just repeats that word for word?

Evan

04-05-2008, 07:29 PM

alright alright....I have changed my mind. The Rangers are great and hopefully they re-sign Daniels for another 10 years because everything he touches turns to gold, go rangers.

Whisky Dog

04-05-2008, 10:41 PM

Rangers with 5 quality starts out of the starting rotation, but they waste three of them. Gotta get the bats going.

Evan

04-07-2008, 01:44 PM

Nice little summary of the season so far...a fair write up.

Texas is hitting .249 as a team. The club is nearly the worst in the league in fielding percentage and defensive efficiency rating, neither of which fully accounts for costly plays unmade. The schedule makers sent the Rangers on the road for the season’s first week, pitting them against the two teams that have earned every expert’s nod to win the West, the first of whom sent Erik Bedard and Felix Hernandez to the mound.

And yet the club returns to Arlington, prepared to open the home half of the schedule, toting a 3-3 record. All things considered, we ought to feel pretty good about that.

Especially because the reason that Texas sits at .500 -- winning two games big and playing the other four tight -- is that the starting rotation has a 2.31 ERA (only Oakland and Seattle have better AL marks), twice as many strikeouts as walks, and only one non-quality start, which stands alone as best in baseball. On average, the starters are getting midway into the seventh inning, a remarkable feat for the first week of the season (and in the Rangers’ case in recent years, noteworthy any time of the year). Add the fact that four of the Rangers’ seven relievers to see game action have yet to be scored on (one of the other three, Joaquin Benoit, had what has to be the season’s filthiest inning of relief work in yesterday’s eighth), and it’s clear that the pitching is to credit for 3-3.

Melmart1

04-07-2008, 02:00 PM

Yeah, that was in this morning's Newberg Report, if I recall.

A very fair assessment and proves what the knowledgeable fans have been saying all along ... that hitting was as much of a concern, if not moreso, than pitching.

monosylab1k

04-07-2008, 02:17 PM

This team's got a lot of fight in them, and they seem eager to play. The last couple of years they all emulated that sourpuss Teixiera attitude, and it showed in their production. This year reminds me of the 04 team. Hopefully the results are the same.

Herschel Walker

04-07-2008, 02:19 PM

With great hitting and bad pitching/fielding they would probably be 1-5 right now. .500 road trip to start this season and .5 off 1st is a success. Let's see how they do at home against a bad O's team.

monosylab1k

04-07-2008, 02:21 PM

I think the hitting may continue to be a problem all year because of the two opposite philosophies being preached to the guys. The players just aren't gonna know what to do when Ron Washington is telling them to work pitchers & stretch out innings & sustain scoring runs, and Jaramillo is telling them to hack away for the fences every time.

FirebatMIV

04-08-2008, 03:03 AM

Evan

04-08-2008, 11:25 AM

dallas news...

Give the Rangers some credit: They went out to the west coast against two divisional opponents and finished 3-3. They'll take it.

Evan Grant gives a good summary of what happened on that trip. Besides the starting pitching, which is clearly the best news of the first six games (five quality starts, 2.30 ERA in six games and a complete game), what are you most encouraged about and most concerned about?

• David Murphy. He's 9-for-22 and looks like that guy that hit so well as soon as he got to Texas last year. So much for "fourth" outfielder. That Eric Gagne trade with Boston keeps getting better, doesn't it?

• Road series win. Texas didn't have one of those until late May last year (eighth road series of the season).

• Ben Broussard and Gerald Laird. I had a feeling Laird would bounce back. But I'm surprised by Broussard. He struggled in spring training and kept assuring everyone that he was ready to go and that he just needs all of spring to get ready. I'll trust him next time he tells me that. He has three homers. Laird, by the way, had two on Sunday.

• Errors. Not good. The club has six in six games. That actually doesn't lead the league. Pittsburgh has nine errors in six games, Seattle has eight errors in six games and Philadelphia has seven errors in six games. Texas has to get better defensively. They won't continue to win games despite problems in the field.

• Hitting. The Rangers are batting .249 as a team, that's 15th in the league. That has to get better, doesn't it?

sribb43

04-08-2008, 12:10 PM

Yes the hitting will get better...but the ? is will the pitching get worse because it really cant get any better

sribb43

04-08-2008, 01:49 PM

Jason Jennings and Marlon Bryd = Trash

FirebatM3

04-08-2008, 03:49 PM

Jason Jennings and Marlon Bryd = Trash

Word. Come back B-Mac!

monosylab1k

04-11-2008, 12:59 AM

Sweepin the doubleheader! Good shit.

And the Rangers are above .500 for the first time in the Ron Washington era.

traitoravery

04-11-2008, 02:03 AM

I know playofss are probably a stretch but Damn. This team is looking better and better everyday... Trade Salty for another quality starter and they might have a chance for the post season. Go Rangers!!!!

sribb43

04-11-2008, 08:14 AM

Rangers need 1 more soild starter, Jennings wont cut it and Mendoza is unproven....Will someone wake me up when Blalock gets his 1st RBI of the season

Im going to the game tomorrow but too bad for the Rangers that Roy Holliday is on the mound...Luis Mendoza better bring his A game to keep the Rangers in it bc giving up 4+ runs to the bluejays with Hollliday on the mound = loss

Melmart1

04-11-2008, 08:16 AM

The day sribb43 posts something positive about the Rangers, hell will freeze over.

sribb43

04-11-2008, 08:22 AM

The day sribb43 posts something positive about the Rangers, hell will freeze over.

Josh Hamilton is a STUD...there, Hell is gonna freeze now

monosylab1k

04-11-2008, 08:23 AM

Will someone what me up when Blalock gets his 1st RBI of the season
Yeah i've never been a Blalock fan.

sribb43

04-11-2008, 08:24 AM

Yeah i've never been a Blalock fan.

ya arent we all still waiting for his break out year...this is the year right? :lol

that Beckett trade that never happened still bothers me...Rangers are so in love with Hank its sickening

Evan

04-11-2008, 10:00 AM

The worst things the Rangers can do is moving away from their plan, again. Don't even think about aquiring players for winning this year. Make the proper trades for the 2 to 3 years down the road plan or this conversation will happen again every freaking year.

This is an awesome start, no doubt and I am enjoying it but the plan needs to stay in place.

Whisky Dog

04-11-2008, 12:42 PM

Nice double header sweep. If Jennings wakes up and starts throwing quality pitches then this could be a pretty good start to the season. I'm pleasantly surprised with Millwood and Padilla so far, they've done more in a week and a half than I thought they'd do before June.

traitoravery

04-14-2008, 12:55 AM

chirp..... Looks like we have came be back down to earth. Fielding is bad and hitting looks god awful. Go Rangers we can turn this around!!!!

sribb43

04-14-2008, 07:31 AM

Bryd leads off with a triple to start the 10th...you mean no outs and you cant score the guy from 3rd, that is just pitful.

Herschel Walker

04-14-2008, 12:42 PM

It's going to be an up and down season as the team is still very young and full of holes. I'm hoping for a winning record at this point with no stupid trades to try to push for playoffs.

sribb43

04-14-2008, 07:50 PM

Jason Jennings = Trash

Like I was saying... rangers score 3 in the 1st to take the lead, then JJ proceeds to give up 3 more to give up the lead, just like that :depressed

traitoravery

04-14-2008, 11:49 PM

Dump JJ....free Hurley....

monosylab1k

04-15-2008, 08:42 AM

sribb43

04-15-2008, 08:46 AM

Still too much dead weight on this team. There's reasons to be encouraged but it's tough to see the same old crap from certain guys.

I know they've had good games here and there, but Blalock and Laird freaking SUCK.

the one thing i dont get about the front office is that they have given Jason Botts more than enough time to develop and just keep waiting and waiting from him to break out. They did a similar thing with Nelson Cruz as well but when it came to guys like hafner and pena, the rangers were quick to dismiss those guys and let them go.

Over the past 5-7 years the rangers have had 3 all-star type 1b - texiera, pena, gonzalez and what do they have left to show at this point....Ben Broussard :depressed

CubanMustGo

04-15-2008, 11:06 AM

The Rangers' FO and ownership is a joke. Hicks needs to sell the team to someone with a clue. Do you think Cuban would put up with the crap that Hicks has?

sribb43

04-15-2008, 03:41 PM

John Danks

7.2 IP
5 Hits
0 ER
2 BB
4 K's

vs Cleveland this afternoon

and where is Brandon McCarthy? :(

monosylab1k

04-15-2008, 04:01 PM

can't really predict injuries, especially when McCarthy had no injury history to this point. and we'll see how Danks is looking in a couple months.

monosylab1k

04-15-2008, 04:03 PM

the Hardline is going nuts right now, and they're right.

It's already time to officially proclaim it - THIS TEAM SUCKS!

Evan

04-15-2008, 04:23 PM

I can't wait until we"re playing for another 2 or 3 years after this year.

again

monosylab1k

04-15-2008, 04:41 PM

It's not the losses that bother me - I expected a lot of losses this year.

It's the fact that they look worse than the Bad News Bears on defense. They're the real life version of the shitty team that's in every Disney baseball movie where the team completely sucks but they've got the one 11 year old kid who becomes pitcher/manager/super-fan and the only way they win is because angels make them.

Herschel Walker

04-15-2008, 06:05 PM

Optimism officially gone. Lasted a week and a half this year...

traitoravery

04-16-2008, 12:57 AM

Jerry or Mark come to our rescue!!!!!

sribb43

04-16-2008, 08:19 AM

Who else is digging our platoon out in the OF with Byrd and Cat....not me

monosylab1k

04-16-2008, 08:24 AM

I'm betting that once they hit 5-4, Tom Hicks got excited and wanted to give the team a nice pep talk.

Which explains the losing streak.

sribb43

04-16-2008, 08:40 AM

What happened to the great Ron Washington who preaches defense and the fundamentals of baseball, something this team is severely lacking

monosylab1k

04-16-2008, 08:49 AM

What happened to the great Ron Washington who preaches defense and the fundamentals of baseball, something this time is severely lacking
I don't know, even Michael Young is looking like a dumbass out there.

sribb43

04-16-2008, 09:02 AM

I don't know, even Michael Young is looking like a dumbass out there.

and people used to have a problem with Soriano's defense at 2nd, he would fit in well with this team

monosylab1k

04-16-2008, 09:45 AM

and people used to have a problem with Soriano's defense at 2nd, he would fit in well with this team
He'd be our best fielder. He looks like a Gold Glover in comparison to ANYBODY who has been out there for the Rangers.

Evan

04-16-2008, 10:40 AM

monosylab1k

04-16-2008, 10:49 AM

Don't worry.

Daniels will fix everything. I am so certain his "re-stocking" of the farm system will go over well. He does that awesome record of talent evaluation so I am sure the new farm system players will be awesome.
:jack

A week ago every Rangers fan was giddy about how good the team was.

They're playing like shit right now but every team will have a bad stretch. Ron Washington needs to get his shit together and get the team focused again is all. Getting Gerald Laird the fuck out and bringing Salty in would help as well.

This team still has the potential to finish .500 or better.

Evan

04-16-2008, 11:26 AM

:jack

A week ago every Rangers fan was giddy about how good the team was.

Deep down there is not a single fan who thought they would do anything but it was nice seeing something positive for once. Just proves how starved fans are.

I still mean it when I say the more this thing bottoms out the better for the future. Nothing will make Hicks change until it truly hits his wallet.

The fans are literally protesting in Liverpool and he is still making awful decisions, so being vocal won't do much. The fans needs to hit him in the wallet and a putrid team will do nothing but keep fans away.

Maybe then he will figure things out.

So if your a Ranger fan, for now just root for ultimate failure to get things fixed.

Mr.Bottomtooth

04-16-2008, 05:22 PM

Go Rangers

sribb43

04-18-2008, 11:14 AM

Blessing in desguise....Byrd to DL

TheTruth

04-20-2008, 11:43 AM

As a Rangers fan would you rather have...

Your Starting Center Fielder
AB R HR RBI BB KO SB BA
73 10 4 17 8 8 0 0.3014

A Starting Pitcher
INN W L S K BBI ERA WHIP
15.3 2 0 0 16 9 1.17 1.37

Evan

04-20-2008, 12:27 PM

As a Rangers fan would you rather have...

Your Starting Center Fielder
AB R HR RBI BB KO SB BA
73 10 4 17 8 8 0 0.3014

A Starting Pitcher
INN W L S K BBI ERA WHIP
15.3 2 0 0 16 9 1.17 1.37

Well...according to Daniels.....

monosylab1k

04-20-2008, 12:35 PM

:lmao Volquez & Danks got off to strong starts, good for them. I guess 3 weeks = an entire season for people who want to bitch for the sake of bitching.

sribb43

04-20-2008, 06:25 PM

Wow once the Rangers get good statring pitching to start a season, the once thought to be strong aspect of the team, the bullpen, fails the team on back to back occasions

Evan

04-20-2008, 07:09 PM

:lmao Volquez & Danks got off to strong starts, good for them. I guess 3 weeks = an entire season for people who want to bitch for the sake of bitching.

Ah yes....I forgot about that lofty Rangers history of pitching.

dallaskd

04-20-2008, 07:14 PM

Todays game sucked ass. Millwood was great again and the relievers fucked it up.

Evan

04-20-2008, 07:39 PM

Todays game sucked ass. Millwood was great again and the relievers fucked it up.

Methinks this will be his last year here. I love the dude and I hope JD trades him for the right return.

sribb43

04-21-2008, 10:39 AM

worse starting 1b in the MLB is Ben Broussard...thats all

monosylab1k

04-21-2008, 10:56 AM

Ah yes....I forgot about that lofty Rangers history of pitching.

No, let's just give Volquez the Cy Young right now.

Evan

04-21-2008, 11:52 AM

No, let's just give Volquez the Cy Young right now.

CY or not...is this team better off with or without him?

Texas Rangers slogan; Making other teams better

sribb43

04-21-2008, 12:01 PM

its all good...we have Dustin Nippert. Great acquistion by JD before the season. he raised his ERA to 14.04 today

2.0 IP
6 H
5 ER
4 BB
2 K

monosylab1k

04-21-2008, 12:06 PM

CY or not...is this team better off with or without him?

Who's playing CF right now then? Kenny Lofton again?

sribb43

04-21-2008, 12:13 PM

its all good...we have Dustin Nippert. Great acquistion by JD before the season. he raised his ERA to 16.62 today

2.1 IP
9 H
8 ER
4 BB
2 K

sorry i didnt know that he was coming back out for another IP, had to update the stats

Evan

04-21-2008, 02:44 PM

Who's playing CF right now then? Kenny Lofton again?

Just because the Rangers are incapable of finding a proper CF via free agency doesn't mean it can't be done.

Give me quality pitching over quality CF.

I like Josh a lot though.

tlongII

04-21-2008, 09:17 PM

Where is Mel now?

sribb43

04-22-2008, 07:50 AM

Another SP that the rangers decided to ship off...Armando Galarraga of the Tigers

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/8140;_ylt=ArYaRfqkOnNGbpf1S8W2VIeFCLcF

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080204/SPORTS02/80204064/1050/rss15

The Rangers traded him for, get this, an OF named Michael Hernandez. Rangers love trading SP for OF. Also the Rangers traded him to make room for Jason Jennings..LOL

F'n JD

traitoravery

04-22-2008, 12:52 PM

Evan

04-22-2008, 01:16 PM

This team is incapable of evaluating talent.

monosylab1k

04-22-2008, 01:22 PM

sribb43

04-22-2008, 01:26 PM

:lmao he's had 2 fucking starts. Looks like we're gonna have co-Cy Young winners with Danks and this guy.

better to have young pitchers with promise than clearing space for spare veteran pitchers coming off elbow/shoulder surgery

traitoravery

04-22-2008, 01:29 PM

:lmao he's had 2 fucking starts. Looks like we're gonna have co-Cy Young winners with Danks and this guy.
He was traded to make room for JJ. His two starts compared to JJ's two starts? I'll take Gallarga(sp) all the way.

sribb43

04-22-2008, 01:37 PM

Evan

04-22-2008, 02:11 PM

:lmao he's had 2 fucking starts. Looks like we're gonna have co-Cy Young winners with Danks and this guy.

Nobody is saying CY but you. I don't think he will keep up this place but...its one hell of a pattern eh?

Evan

04-22-2008, 02:15 PM

John Danks
Edison Volquez
Armando Galarraga
Chris Young

For a team that is notorious for having awful pitching, you would think that they wouldnt trade away guys that have potential. The Volquez deal I am fine with and can live with but the other deals absolutely make no sense.

A SP rotation of

Millwood
Young
Padilla
Danks/Volquez/Galarraga (chose 1 or 2 to fill out the rotation, how all 3 guys are traded away is ridiculous)

If you're a team GM and your secretary says JD is on the phone don't you just reach for the phone as fast as you can in glee at the prospects of making a trade with him?

I find it amusing with all of these trades people think that he made wise choices and this farm system will work out down the road. Hell...if any of them do work it will probably be for another team.

monosylab1k

04-22-2008, 02:24 PM

Nobody is saying CY but you. I don't think he will keep up this place but...its one hell of a pattern eh?

It's selective choosing in order to bitch for the sake of bitching, nothing more. If you're gonna look up young pitchers the Rangers have gotten rid of, then at least show some credibility and see what Ricardo Rodriguez & Ryan Drese are up to as well.

sribb43

04-22-2008, 02:33 PM

It's selective choosing in order to bitch for the sake of bitching, nothing more. If you're gonna look up young pitchers the Rangers have gotten rid of, then at least show some credibility and see what Ricardo Rodriguez & Ryan Drese are up to as well.

thanks for bringing up another failed trade......Travis Hafner:depressed

Ryan Drese never was any good. the rangers traded Hafner for a guy that was coming off a 10-9 season with a 6.55 ERA WTF they wanted Drese is beyond me.

The Rangers will give guys (hitters) like Jason Botts, Nelson Cruz, etc...several years at the major league level but when it comes to pitchers they get a few starts in september that determines there future. Why the rangers dont let these guys come up earlier in the season to prove themselves and get a better evaluation of them at the major league level is odd? Instead they let them have 4-5 starts at the end of the season while pitchers named Ismaal Valdes, Jason Jennings, Todd van Poppel, Scott Erickson, Pedro Astacio, Kip Wells, Bruce Chen waste starts

Evan

04-22-2008, 02:53 PM

It's selective choosing in order to bitch for the sake of bitching, nothing more. If you're gonna look up young pitchers the Rangers have gotten rid of, then at least show some credibility and see what Ricardo Rodriguez & Ryan Drese are up to as well.

What we're talking about here is the potential for several colossal miscalculations.

thanks for bringing up another failed trade......Travis Hafner:depressed

Ryan Drese never was any good. the rangers traded Hafner for a guy that was coming off a 10-9 season with a 6.55 ERA WTF they wanted Drese is beyond me.

The Rangers will give guys (hitters) like Jason Botts, Nelson Cruz, etc...several years at the major league level but when it comes to pitchers they get a few starts in september that determines there future. Why the rangers dont let these guys come up earlier in the season to prove themselves and get a better evaluation of them at the major league level is odd? Instead they let them have 4-5 starts at the end of the season while pitchers named Ismaal Valdes, Jason Jennings, Todd van Poppel, Scott Erickson, Pedro Astacio, Kip Wells, Bruce Chen waste starts

I had forgotten about Hafner...:bang

monosylab1k I know you're a Ranger fan, as am I, but I just can't see how you're ok with JD. Almost every indication from player moves to Washington seem to point to failure. But in the end, Hicks hired him.

sribb43

04-22-2008, 02:56 PM

What we're talking about here is the potential for several colossal miscalculations.

I had forgotten about Hafner...:bang

monosylab1k I know you're a Ranger fan, as am I, but I just can't see how you're ok with JD. Almost every indication from player moves to Washington seem to point to failure. But in the end, Hicks hired him.

Well the Hafner deal was pre-JD, that one falls on John Hart:pctoss

monosylab1k

04-22-2008, 03:10 PM

Evan

04-22-2008, 04:00 PM

Well the Hafner deal was pre-JD, that one falls on John Hart:pctoss

I will defer to you on this but I could have sworn JD was doing a lot of the work at that time...but I could be wrong.

Evan

04-22-2008, 04:05 PM

John Hart set this team back quite a bit, and Daniels is still cleaning up his mess. He had an atrocious first year as a young GM, but he's shown signs that he learned from his mistakes, he's shown a high baseball IQ, and has done what it takes to build up the farm system. It's still going to be a few years down the line before this team competes for the playoffs, but there's absolutely reasons to be positive. Unless of course you're the typical fairweather Dallas fan who has no reason to be positive unless your team is championship-bound.

While they've certainly made mistakes, and there's alot of things to be upset about as far as team discipline, I think progress has been made with the current GM and manager. There are definitely things to be encouraged about regardless of the results. Again, if you want to bitch for the sake of bitching, go right ahead. But you can't blame Daniels/Washington for the massive failings of Hart/Showalter. They're still cleaning up the mess those guys left.

And with Tom Hicks around the team just won't ever get to a Yankees/Red Sox/Angels level. The best we can hope for is White Sox/Tigers/A's. And I think this team is well on their way to getting there.

I agree with some of what you're saying here but...

Fairweather. Not sure how this area has got that reputation (probably the ticket) but teams here do well ratings and attendance wise doom or not.

Sake of bitching. Not sure why you keep using that as a crutch to dismiss some facts.

Daniels/Washington. When JD was hired Hicks said JD was helping him make a lot of decisions so he had experience and wasn't a rookie. And as for Washington...man...the errors this team makes are appalling.

And another thing on JD, yes for sure he is cleaning up a lot of Hart's mess but it seems like he is doing nothing but sweeping dirt from one side of the room to another.

FirebatMIV

04-22-2008, 05:38 PM

I agree with some of what you're saying here but...

Fairweather. Not sure how this area has got that reputation (probably the ticket) but teams here do well ratings and attendance wise doom or not.

Sake of bitching. Not sure why you keep using that as a crutch to dismiss some facts.

Daniels/Washington. When JD was hired Hicks said JD was helping him make a lot of decisions so he had experience and wasn't a rookie. And as for Washington...man...the errors this team makes are appalling.

And another thing on JD, yes for sure he is cleaning up a lot of Hart's mess but it seems like he is doing nothing but sweeping dirt from one side of the room to another.

Bullshit.

Danks might be a good 2nd starter, but it's way too early to call. Volquez will not be this good this year. This is why decisions shouldn't be made in April. What I said when the trade was made still stands - CF Josh Hamilton might be the best offensive player to change teams this offseason. That's how good he is.

This team has bad Karma right now. The starting pitching is good, if Gabbard isn't hurt long. The team has couple of good prospects in the upper minors and they are getting men on base - they're just not cashing them in. All those things will balance out.

I still say that this is a .500 team.

Evan

04-22-2008, 06:56 PM

Bullshit.

Danks might be a good 2nd starter, but it's way too early to call. Volquez will not be this good this year. This is why decisions shouldn't be made in April. What I said when the trade was made still stands - CF Josh Hamilton might be the best offensive player to change teams this offseason. That's how good he is.

I agree but not at the expense of a starter.

Offense should not be that difficult to find for the launching pad know in Arlington.

sribb43

04-23-2008, 11:20 AM

Edinson Volquez vs Dodgers last night

7 IP
3 Hits
1 Run
4 BB
7 K

Whisky Dog

04-23-2008, 12:31 PM

This is going to be a long summer once the NBA playoffs are done (or your favorite team is out). This team looks like trash right now, and I wonder if it'll come to a time sooner than later when they follow the Tigers lead and throw the young kids to the wolves to let them grow up, "300" style.

traitoravery

04-23-2008, 01:10 PM

I wonder if it'll come to a time sooner than later when they follow the Tigers lead and throw the young kids to the wolves to let them grow up, "300" style.

No not yet, wait until after the Silver boot, I got $250 riding on it.

monosylab1k

04-23-2008, 01:28 PM

Fairweather. Not sure how this area has got that reputation (probably the ticket) but teams here do well ratings and attendance wise doom or not.

You know as well as I do that listed attendance numbers don't equal people out at the ballpark. And Dallas is definitely a fairweather city. I went to Mavericks games for years when Reunion was 3/4 empty and 50% of the Metroplex were Bulls or Lakers fans. These days there's more Red Sox fans than Rangers fans when Boston comes to town, and by a significant margin. Nobody gave a shit about the Stars until a week ago, and they were making the playoffs every year. The only team this city is truly loyal to is the Cowboys.

Daniels/Washington. When JD was hired Hicks said JD was helping him make a lot of decisions so he had experience and wasn't a rookie. And as for Washington...man...the errors this team makes are appalling.

Until you've actually sat in the big boy chair, you have no experience. Daniels is young and still learning. People like to point to Theo Epstein but they're quick to forget that Epstein inherited a perennial playoff contender and didn't have to rebuild a team from scratch.

And Washington has been here a little more than a year. To knee-jerk and fire him now is basically endorsing the Tom Hicks way of doing things.

This duo has a plan, and they need the time to at least prove that their plan will succeed or fail. To call for a firing right now is continuing what the Rangers have done for the past decade - change direction every time the wind blows.

ATRAIN

04-23-2008, 01:32 PM

No not yet, wait until after the Silver boot, I got $250 riding on it.

Did someone say Silverboot??? Mono have you decided what you want to lose?

monosylab1k

04-23-2008, 01:34 PM

Did someone say Silverboot??? Mono have you decided what you want to lose?

PSH the Rangers could finish the season 20-142, but I guarantee we'll still own the Silver Boot! They have enough pride to still deliver a hide tanning to the ASSTrolls!

ATRAIN

04-23-2008, 01:36 PM

PSH the Rangers could finish the season 20-142, but I guarantee we'll still own the Silver Boot! They have enough pride to still deliver a hide tanning to the ASSTrolls!

WE will see about that.......come on big mouth, what are the terms?

monosylab1k

04-23-2008, 01:41 PM

WE will see about that.......come on big mouth, what are the terms?

hmmmm how bout an avatar AND sig bet. The winner owns the loser's avatar and sig from the day after the Rangers win the Silver Boot all the way until after the World Series is over.

ATRAIN

04-23-2008, 02:04 PM

hmmmm how bout an avatar AND sig bet. The winner owns the loser's avatar and sig from the day after the Rangers win the Silver Boot all the way until after the World Series is over.

ok

Evan

04-23-2008, 02:23 PM

monosylab1k

In regards to the "winners town" I would say Dallas has the same problem most big cities have, teams do not have captive audiences here. Its easy for some place like Green Bay to survive with a packed house since thats all they have. If a team in Dallas puts out garbage..people have other options to spend money on. But to say nobody cared about the Stars until a few weeks ago just silly. The Stars took a dip when the same cast of characters where here year after year losing in the first round then the lockout happened. And even then they still did relatively well compared to other clubs.

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.