What’s with all the Kevin Millwood love?

As I rolled through ESPN.com the other day, I saw a link to a video about AL West offseason activity. Of course, being the dutiful Rangers fan I am, I checked it out. It was a 3 Up, 3 Down segment with Buster Olney. Okay, I thought, this should have some positive Rangers vibes in it, right? Wrong.

The three up: Cliff Lee to Seattle, Ben Sheets to Oakland, Chone Figgins to Seattle.

The three down: John Lackey leaving the Angels, Kevin Millwood leaving the Rangers and Russell Branyan leaving Seattle.

My jaw almost hit the desk.

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Keep the Faith

Bill Simmons’ weekly column on Friday delved into the most tortured fan bases. Number one? Some team from the North Side of Chicago.

The Rangers were unable to make an appearance because of a clause he had disqualifying teams who lived in warm-weather cities. Which is probably fair.

But on this humble website, we have no such clause. (I think, although I’d have to check with Matt on that one.)

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An Open Letter to Bud Selig Regarding Tom Hicks

Dear Bud,

You are probably not extremely familiar with the inner workings of the Texas Rangers and the ownership situation that has yet to be sorted out. Then again, maybe you are. Anyway, that’s neither here nor there.

What is here and there and everywhere for me and the other rabid Texas Rangers fans (however many of us there are), at least, is the ongoing sale of the team. Tonight (January 15, 2010) was the deadline for the ownership group led by Chuck Greenberg and Nolan Ryan to have an agreement done to take control of the team. However, that deadline has come and gone. All sources around the team are reporting that the team is still under the control of Tom Hicks.

I am begging you Mr. Selig. Please do not let Tom Hicks maintain control of this team. I have no wish to stand in the way of Tom Hicks’ personal ambitions in any other matters. But on this issue I will not budge. If you truly care about the competitiveness of Major League Baseball and its fans, you will not allow Tom Hicks to remain as owner of the Texas Rangers.

Ten years ago, I don’t believe the fans of the Texas Rangers would have ever considered this a possibility. Our beloved Rangers had just finished capturing their third division title in four years. You remember that, don’t you? How Juan Gonzalez and Will Clark and Roger Pavlik and Ken Hill helped lead a team to the playoffs that had no distinguishable history for 35 years as a franchise? How Pudge Rodriguez became a legendary figure in Texas and will always be cheered?

Tom Hicks injected money into our franchise. Unfortunately he spent that on all the wrong people. Now he is so deep in debt that our team, in the #6 media market in the country, has a payroll hovering around 23rd. To me, that is simply unacceptable. I don’t believe the Rangers will ever have a payroll approaching that of the highest 5, but I think that a $90 million payroll is a reasonable request in this market.

Dallas is a winners town. Always has been. Always will be. Yes the Cowboys are the biggest draw, but a consistently fine product on the field that competes for playoff spots more often than not will be successful in Arlington, Texas. Tom Hicks understands this. He understands that the Texas Rangers are on the precipice of having the best team in franchise history.

Keep in mind, Mr. Selig, that this franchise is about to embark upon its 50th season in the American League. And never has this franchise won a playoff series. Only once has it even won a playoff game.

Tom Hicks knows he is sitting on a cash cow. This is a young, exciting team that will become a contender if it is nurtured properly with an appropriate amount of financial flexibility in order to make transactions that will lead them to the franchise’s first ever playoff series victory and hopefully World Series championship.

But none of that can happen with Hicks in control. If this ownership situation drags through the season, he has a chance to do irreparable damage to the franchise. Irreparable.

I’m sorry to bring up painful memories for you, but does that description sound vaguely familiar to you? The Montreal Expos were the same way back in 2003. You said it was a “conflict of interest” to call up players for the team at the September 1 roster expansion date, despite the team being tied for the Wild Card lead on August 29. No owner could be found, and the team would leave after 2004.

What if Tom Hicks doesn’t sell this team? Will you and MLB take it over? Believe me, I’m not questioning the system. I’m questioning the man that makes the system necessary. It makes me nervous that Hicks wants to keep this team. Honestly. I’m nervous that the longer Hicks holds on to the team, the possibility rises that the Texas Rangers will not be in Texas much longer.

Please help me calm my nerves. I can’t speak for the other Rangers fans out there as to whether they have the same nerves, but I’m sure they join in my refrain:

Don’t Let Tom Hicks Own The Rangers Anymore.

Please.

Sincerely,

Cody Dunlap

Hey what are the Rangers up to?

I am terrified.

Terrified that if I write anything about the Dallas Cowboys, I’ll jinx them. Do I think they can beat the Eagles? Yes. I believe they can. I also believe the Eagles could easily return the favor of last week’s game. So I will not write anything until that game is over.

But the Texas Rangers – now that is a topic I can wrap my head around. If there’s anything that’s been the beacon of breaking news in the Dallas winter, it’s been the Rangers. I mean, just look at all the news!!!

Just kidding.

But let’s just give a brief update since we last saw our favorite denizens of the AL West:

Marlon Byrd and Pudge Rodriguez signed elsewhere.

Kevin Millwood was traded for Chris Ray and enough cash (barely) for Tom Hicks to pay his water bill.

Rich Harden signed here, then signed with Seattle, then signed here.

Chuck Greenberg and Nolan Ryan are leading the charge to wrestle the team away from Tom Hicks.

They almost traded for Mike Lowell. But it turned out his thumb didn’t really work.

We signed Darren Oliver. No, not dug up. Signed.

And…that’s about it.

The Mariners got Cliff Lee. That’s no good. But not to worry, Rangers fans. Casey Kotchman is now their first baseman. I think our pitchers can handle him.

Somehow, we’ve accumulated a horde of candidates for our starting rotation.

Feldman, Harden, McCarthy, Hunter, Holland, Feliz, Nippert, Harrison, Moscoso and even C.J. Wilson will get chances to make the rotation out of spring training.

The bullpen could go either way. There is a lot of talent, but so far not really the results to back that up. Guys like Pedro Strop and Warner Madrigal are going to be important for this team. Conversely, a bullpen fortified with Francisco, Oliver, Wilson and Feliz is going to be tough to hit. Add in long relievers like Mathis and Nippert, and that bullpen looks like one of the best on paper.

Jon Daniels is on record as saying that the team will break camp with the best 25 players on the team. Clearly there will be competition in spring training, considering there are 19 pitchers on the 40 man roster who have seen major league hitters. Battles for spots in the spring can only be good for the team as a whole.

The offense hasn’t seen a lot of upgrades so far, but Ranger-killer Vlad Guerrero is still available, along with Jermaine Dye. Another month will probably pass before those two guys are signed, but one of them will probably end up in Texas in 2010. What the offense really needs is a bounce-back year from Hamilton and Kinsler (Davis and C improvements would be appreciated as well).

This team has a very good chance to challenge for the AL West title next year, assuming good health (a large assumption, I know, but every team is hoping for health at this point.)

42 days until pitchers and catchers.

So are the Rangers better?

(For the sake of this post, we’re going to assume that Mike Lowell is now a Texas Ranger with Boston picking up $9 million of the tab)

A fair inquiry for any Texas Rangers fan. Do the acquisitions of Chris Ray, Ben Snyder, Mike Lowell and Rich Harden make this team better than it was three days ago?

I believe the answer is yes. Are there drawbacks to these acquisitions? Absolutely. There are drawbacks to just about all trades.

But these moves, if they all go through, make the Rangers a better team.

Find out why after the jump. Read more

The Rev Speaks: Fab Forty

This column arrives a little later than usual, but it was an inordinately busy week in the confessional booth.  An eclectic mix of personalities conspired to sabotage any free time I had, all of whom rendered me both nonplussed and depressed.  For starters, one of the paragons of the fashion world committed the sin of lust.  I readily admit that sartorial savvy is one area about which I know very little; however, even a dilettante like The Rev can quickly realize where Ralph Lauren went horribly wrong.  Even though the haunting image of Filippa Hamilton was digitally altered, Mr. Lauren is preaching a most dangerous message.  (Our society’s depraved obsession with outward appearance is one of the myriad reasons why I am scared to death of raising a daughter.)  The fact this picture was photo shopped only makes the situation worse.  In essence, Mr. Lauren is saying it’s not good enough for women to be a skinny size eight.  Stop eating and shrink down to become emaciated, size zero ghouls!  Granted, this country—and especially right here in the Lone Star State, except at the aberration that is NorthPark Center (the “look at me” headquarters of North Dallas Pretty People) where one either dresses like an understudy to a porn “star” or like a member of a gangster’s entourage—wages a battle of attrition against obesity, but clothing companies are fighting back in a most irresponsible way.  You want to know what’s truly sexy, ladies?  Self-esteem and Christ-likeness.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6.13-17).

Secondly, I was forced to address the sin of pride displayed so egregiously by President Barack Obama.  (The Rev’s standard operating procedure never involves discussing politics, but sometimes exceptions are made.)  Granted, it wasn’t Obama’s fault that the fools at The Nobel Foundation awarded him their highest honor, but the leader of the free world certainly didn’t do much in the way of apologizing.  (In fairness, I would have been equally offended had George W. won the prize, especially after a mere nine months in office, 9/11 or not.)  The foundation has in essence insulted truly revolutionary previous winners like Norman Borlaug, a man whose innovations improved the quality of life for untold millions of people.  The Rev does not have a problem with sitting presidents winning this prize, but to be awarded the honor largely on campaign promises yet to be delivered is both careless and naïve.  Remember the telling words of the Book of Proverbs: Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall (16.18).

Thirdly, there was the distressing news from Calgary that former NHL star and probable Hall of Famer Theoren Fleury was sexually abused for years by his youth hockey coach, Graham James.  Sadly, he wasn’t the only teenager victimized by a trusted coach or adviser.  I’ve never played hockey—or any sport, for that matter—but I’ve talked to enough people to understand that the world of youth hockey is about as competitive as it comes.  Parents will spend countless dollars (the equipment is more expensive than baseball, basketball, and football combined) to secure their sons’ spots on elite club teams.  The men in charge of these leagues are made out to be mighty emperors who can do no wrong.  While these coaches might actually teach a handful of these callow teenagers what it takes to become the next Great One, they must not be worshiped and followed blindly.  After all, they are fallen human beings.  You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.  You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments (Exodus 20.4-6).

To end the hectic week of sports news, Michael Crabtree at long last came to his senses, realized he wasn’t a magnificent receiver like Michael Irvin, and inked a contract with the 49ers.  This issue has been blogged and debated about ad nauseam, so The Rev won’t waste much space with this now antiquated story.  I wonder how clueless Crabtree must be—did he learn anything while onboard the Leach Pirate Ship in Lubbock?—to hold out until Week 5 of the NFL season and still accept nearly the same terms San Francisco originally offered.  I’ll be careful not to judge since money makes even the most pious man’s knees weak, but I fail to see what you could buy for $40M that you couldn’t for, say, $32M.  Another Maybach or ten?  I hope Crabtree receives better advice at this next level than he did from his myopic agent, Eugene Parker, and his parasitic advisor, Nine-Toed Deion.  (It is not fair to question Fleury’s though process since there’s a big difference in this case: Fleury was an adolescent when he was victimized, and Crabtree is an adult.  He presumably knows better than to trust the counsel of men with cavalier—no, not the U of Virginia variety, Arey—ulterior motives.)  I’ve watched a lot of Texas Tech football in my day, primarily because both my father and older brother have degrees from Guns Up U, and Dallas’ own Crabtree remains one of the best Red Raiders in recent memory (with apologies to Wes Welker and Kliff Kingsbury).  It will be interesting, to say the least, watching his NFL career unfold after such an inauspicious beginning.  As King Solomon writes, Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor (Ecclesiastes 7.12).

Speaking of lists . . . because this is supposed to be a sports column, I will now shift my attention to what I call The Fab Forty.  In what is a most difficult exercise, I will now present my top ten favorite (read: not necessarily the best) players from the four major sports in Dallas.  (With no apologies to FC Dallas, but definitely multiple apologies to the Dallas Sidekicks and the amazingly short-lived MISL.  I spent many nights at old Reunion Arena watching the cardiac Kicks battle such classic teams like the Baltimore Blast, Cleveland Crunch, San Diego Sockers, and St. Louis Steamers.  When the best goalie GAA of all-time is a shockingly high 4.03, you know this is soccer as it’s meant to be played: fast and furious, with lots of scoring.  For the record, my favorite Sidekicks are Tatu “Not the Russian pop duo, but rather the guy who takes his kit off every time he scores and throws it into the adoring crowd,” Doc “Indoor Warrior” Lawson, and Krys “Don’t Call Me Leelee” Sobieski.  I still remember their first and only MISL Championship in 1986-87 [Slogan: The Wild Side of Soccer!”] when they defeated the Tacoma Stars four games to three.)  But I digress.

One final disclaimer: I only include players whom I saw play.  For this reason, many legendary names from the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor (i.e. Hayes, Lilly, and Wright) and venerated Rangers (i.e. Jeff Burroughs and Fergie Jenkins) are left out.  Without further ado . . .

DALLAS COWBOYS (years played with team)

1. Troy Aikman, 1989-2000.  Eight Ball.  Three SBs.  Well-spoken and well-groomed analyst on FOX A-Team.  Speaks with Musers every Thursday morning.  Enough said.

2.  Michael Irvin, 1988-1999.  The Playmaker.  Three SBs.  Ultimate competitor.  Audio gold. Discovered Jesse Holley on “4^th and Long.”  Acted like an immoral donkey off the field, but very few athletes are saints.

3.  Daryl Johnston, 1989-1999.  The Moose.  Three SBs.  Battering ram.  Sacrificed body.  Vastly improving FOX broadcaster still partial to all things Cow.

4.  Emmitt Smith, 1990-2002.  Three SBs.  Made of steel.  All-time leading rusher in NFL history.  Ridiculous “diamond surrounded by trash” comment knocks him down list, as does his inability to form a sentence when employed by ESPN.

5.  Jay Novacek, 1990-95.  Best TE to play in Irving.  Three SBs.  Never afraid to absorb a hit across the middle of the field.  Shockingly, only 22 TDs as a Cowboy.

6.  Darren Woodson, 1992-2003.  Best SS in franchise history.  Three SBs.  Reliable and loyal leader in the locker room.

7.  Larry Allen, 1994-2005.  Man primarily responsible for keeping Aikman non-concussed.

8.  Jason Witten, 2003-present.  Best TE in the game, soon to be best TE in Cow history.

9.  DeMarcus Ware, 2005-present.  Most intimidating and ferocious Cow pass rusher since Charles Haley.  And fortunately, a little more reserved.  (Can’t link since it’s R-rated, but just Google Haley’s name combined with the book title Boys Will Be Boys and you’ll see.)

10.  Kenny Gant, 1990-94.  I was a sucker for The Shark Dance.

Dishonorable Mention: Barbie Carpenter, Quincy Carter, Dwayne Goodrich, Chad Hutchinson, Eldorado Owens, Rowdy, Rafael Septien, GM Jerry Jones (he fired Jimmy and hired both Campo and Wade).

DALLAS MAVERICKS (years played with team)

1. Rolando Blackman, 1981-1992.  Modeled my FT stroke after his.  Sadly, my percentage was much lower than Ro’s stellar .840 rate.

2.  Dirk Nowitzki, 1998-present.  The Mavs’ version of Jimmy Johnson’s genius “Herschel Walker” trade.  Robert “Tractor” Traylor to Milwaukee.  Dirk to Dallas.  The rest is history.  Ironically, would be involved with another Traylor, but Crystal not as favorable to Mavs this time.

3.  James Donaldson, 1985-1992.  Solid rebounder and stout defender.

4.  Steve Nash, 1998-2004.  Mark Cuban’s biggest mistake.  Now a two-time (although a bit undeserving) MVP.  Best PG in club history.

5.  Mark Aguirre, 1981-89.  Still holds 13 franchise records, including most points in a single season (2,330 in 1983-84).

6.  Derek Harper, 1983-1994, 1996-97.  Despite the blunder of letting time run out against Lakers in 1984 WCSF, Harp remains one of the best ambassadors of the game.

7.  Jason Terry, 2004-present.  Incredibly streaky shooter, but when he’s on he’s virtually unstoppable.

8.  Michael Finley, 1996-2005.  Outstanding captain for many years, but his repeated failures in the clutch ultimately drops him down on this list.

9.  Roy Tarpley, 1986-1991, 1994-95.  Were it not for the nose candy he could’ve been one of the legends in Dallas.  I still vividly remember ignoring my heated game of APB at Balls Hamburgers on Midway/NW Highway to watch Tarp dominate the Kings in his much-ballyhooed (and, sadly, ephemeral) return to the Association in November 1994.

10.  Brad Davis, 1980-1992.  One of the original Mavericks.  Some might say including two white PGs (does “Dancing Queen” Jason Kidd classify?) on one list would be insane.  He redefined short shorts and the porn star mustache.

Dishonorable Mention: Uwe Blab, Coach Quinn Buckner, Ericka Dampier, Josh Howard, Martin Muursepp, Cherokee Parks (he went to Duke, after all), Antoine Rigaudeau (he’s French, after all), Keith Van Horn

DALLAS STARS (years played with team)

1. Mike Modano, 1993-present.  The only remaining Minnesota North Star on the roster.  Best American-born player in NHL history.  The Stars’ Aikman.

2.  Brett Hull, 1998-2001.  Normally one needs to play longer in Dallas before I shower with praise.  The self-proclaimed “Ambassador of Fun” and third-highest goal scorer (741) in NHL history vaults way up this list because of what he did in the third overtime on 19 June 1999.  Sabre fans need to get over it already.  At least you have the Bills to cheer you up . . . oh, wait.  Dallas > Buffalo.

3.  Ed Belfour, 1997-2002.  What Hull was to the offense, Belfour was to the defense.  The Eagle was the second biggest reason the Stars won the Cup ten years ago.

4.  Joe Nieuwendyk, 1995-2002.  This future Hall of Famer was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner in that brilliant 1999 run to the Cup.  He now serves as the Stars’ hopefully prescient GM.

5.  Derian Hatcher, 1993-2003.  Moved south to Dallas from Minneapolis with Modano.  One of the best enforcers/defensemen in franchise history.  The pugnacious captain came up huge on the blue line multiple times in the playoffs, and also responsible for making the ever-mouthy Jeremy Roenick drink through a straw.

6.  Brenden Morrow, 1999-present.  Although injury-prone, the current captain is the undisputed leader in the room.  When he is in the lineup, the Stars are a much better team.

7.  Jere Lehtinen, 1995-present.  Injury-prone as well, Lehts is a three-time Selke winner.  A phenomenally versatile and redoubtable defensive forward.

8. Sergei Zubov, 1996-2009.  Best Russian to ever don a Stars sweater.  Zubie was an awe-inspiring assassin running the point during power plays.

9.  Steve Ott, 2002-present.  First few years in the league he was known only as a fighter.  Has now developed a more well-rounded offensive arsenal (19, 27, 46 last season) to complement his blitzkrieg defense.  The Otter is a poor man’s Lehtinen.

10.  James Neal, 2008-present.  Hasn’t even played the equivalent of a full season in the league (80 games thus far), but this 22-year-old stud is built like a tank (6-3, 206), shoots lefty, and is nearly impossible to knock off the puck.  The future is very bright for Neal, which is why he already cracks the Top 10.  Modano’s heir apparent.

Dishonorable Mention: Sean Avery, Matthew Barnaby, Todd Fedoruk, Mike Lalor, Roman Lyashenko, Janne Niinimaa, Tobias Stephan, Jamie Wright

TEXAS RANGERS (years played with team)

1. Steve Buechele, 1985-1991.  As a child, I always felt sorry that the fans booed #22 so lustily.  Only later did I find out they weren’t booing, but shortening his last name as a sign of respect.  No matter.  The proverbial die was cast.  He was my favorite.  Styled my mullet after his.

2.  Nolan Ryan, 1989-1993.  The Ryan Express finished out his Hall of Fame résumé in Arlington by recording his sixth and seventh no-hitters and his 5,000^th strikeout.  Records unlikely ever to be broken.  Also “pwnd” (ask my high school students what that means) Robin Ventura in August 1993, the penultimate month of his career.  Now the Rangers’ president and resident snow monkey expert.

3.  Rusty Greer, 1994-2002.  Played with reckless abandon which, as a result, abridged his career.  Many of the most acrobatic catches in club history came courtesy of the The Red Baron.

4.  Michael Young, 2000-present.  Who would have ever thought that the former Blue Jay spare part (Young was traded with Darwin Cubillan to Texas for Esteban Loaiza in July 2000) would mature into one of the most indispensible Rangers?  The 2009 season was basically wrecked when he went on the DL and missed the last month.

5.  Pudge Rodriguez, 1991-2002, 2009.  Despite the rampant steroid rumors, Pudge is by far the best catcher in franchise history (with no apologies to Geno Petralli and some apologies to Don Slaught), as well as one of the most beloved players to ever wear a Rangers uniform.

6.  Ruben Sierra, 1986-1992, 2000-01, 03.  Besides Pudge and Oddibe McDowell, Ruben was the only Ranger in franchise history to ever have an excellent shot to hit for the cycle in any game and/or an outside shot of winning the Triple Crown in any season.  Was absolutely electrifying to watch.

7.  Pete Incaviglia, 1986-1990.  Inky Power was alive and well for five summers in Arlington.  Perhaps the slowest base runner in franchise history (with apologies to Bill Haselman, Larry Parrish and Mickey Tettleton).

8.  Ian Kinsler, 2006-present.  Everything from his knee-high socks to the all-out hustle screams old school.  I love it.  (Although he needs to stop swinging for the fences every AB.  And staying healthy would help.)

9.  Neftali Feliz, 2009-present.  Yes, he’s only appeared in 20 games for the Rangers. Yes, he’s only 21 years old.  But he’s the undeniable future for this club.  Much like Neal for the Stars, Feliz is the Rangers’ cornerstone.  (Pitching wins the WS.)  Feliz Navidad indeed.

10. Roger Pavlik, 1992-98.  Perhaps the most misunderstood and most unfairly maligned Ranger in history (I’m talking to you, Bryan), Pavlik richly deserved his All-Star appearance in 1996 (although some argue that fellow Ranger Kevin “Little Big League” Elster should have earned the invite).  A truly blessed way to celebrate my final summer of freedom after graduating from St. Mark’s and before leaving for Davidson College.

Dishonorable Mention: Mark Clark, John “Empty Golf Shirt” Hart and his enabler Tom Hicks, Chad Kreuter, Ruben Mateo, Laynce Nix, Chan Ho Park, Sammy Sosa (even W. can make mistakes), Mark “Traitor” Teixeira

Here ends the lesson.  And all of God’s people say . . . “Amen!”

***Happy 30^th birthday, Andrew!!***

Eulogy for a Dream.

It has taken me far too long to sit down and write this post.

Perhaps I was simply too saddened from the recent lifeless play, maybe it was that whole little time crunch called “college”, but it has been simply too long since I’ve written about the local nine.

The 2009 season for the Texas Rangers will not end with a playoff berth, as many hoped it would. It will not end with 90 wins, as many thought it would (including myself) just three short weeks ago. Hopefully it will end with more than 86 wins (today’s number of victories).

This post is not meant to complain about what happened. That particular post may come, or it may not. What happened, quickly, is that a young team simply fell apart down the stretch. Two of its better hitters got hurt, but the pitching began to wear down as well. In short, they just couldn’t get it done.

But so many good things happened this year.

We witnessed the debut of the newest great shortstop in baseball. No Jerod. I would never trade Elvis Andrus for Gordon Beckham.

We saw what happens when the Texas Rangers have a little thing called pitching. Get another year of learning for Scott Feldman, Tommy Hunter, Derek Holland, Neftali Feliz…you get the picture.

Read more

THE RANGERS REPORT – September 22 2009

NFL Week 3 matchups look more tempting every week for Dallas Sports fans, as the book is pretty much closed on the Texas Rangers’ season. Even though a playoff berth is highly unlikely now – the Rangers are seven games back of Boston – 2009 was a success for Texas, as some good young arms finally emerged to complement the big bats. Lets’ catch up with our boys.

Current record: 82-67
AL West rank: 2
World Series odds: 200 to 1

THE LINEUP

It’s tough for Texas to stay in the playoff hunt when two of its key contributors are sitting out September. Josh Hamilton is on the verge of being shut down for the year with a pinched nerve in his back. After an MVP-caliber 2008, Hamilton looks like he’ll finish 2009 with a .270 average, 10 homers and 49 RBI in 326 at-bats. The numbers are disappointing but the Rangers hope he can carry his strong August, in which he hit .342, into next season.

Michael Young remains shelved and his career year is on hold. Overall, the Rangers can hang their hat on Nelson Cruz this season. The RBI total isn’t there but he’s shown legit big-league power with 32 homers so far this year.

THE ROTATION

In his win Monday night – just his second since July 20 – Kevin Millwood surpassed the 180-inning mark for the year, triggering a vesting option in his contract that will give him $12 million next season. Thanks to the emergence of Scott Feldman and Tommy Hunter and the promise flashed by Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz, the Rangers may wish they hadn’t structured Millwood’s deal that way.

THE BULLPEN

Like the Cowboys’ Week 3 NFL betting line now that Marion Barber is out, Neftali Feliz looks shaky of late. The flamethrowing rookie is finally allowing runs and may simply be tiring from his first Major-League work. Perhaps the Rangers will shut him down for the season.

Frank Francisco has a good shot to remain Texas’ closer next season. He’s saved 23 of 27 games, struck out 50 batters in 45.2 innings and held opponents to a .215 average. He’s a legit stopper.

OVERALL OUTLOOK

The Rangers are inching toward “nothing left to play for” territory and I’m betting management may shut down several of their young arms as they prepare for the winter. Chins up, Rangers – better times lie ahead.

How to fix the Rangers’ ownership situation

A lot has been made, both here and on other websites, about the situation regarding the Rangers’ finances. A couple of reports have the Rangers operating as normal, with no help from MLB other than the $15 million “line of credit” Tom Hicks asked for in June.

Another report, which surfaced in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram this weekend, stated that the Rangers have been taken over by Major League Baseball. Tom Hicks has continuously denied this point, although he might just be covering his tracks or in denial if that is, in fact, the awful truth. The last team to be under the operation of Major League Baseball was the Montreal Expos, who were operated by MLB from the winter of 2001 until the middle of 2006 – after they had moved to Washington and become the Nationals.

First of all, I don’t think the club is going to move. It’s highly unlikely, considering there doesn’t seem to be a market that could support the Rangers the way this market could. I believe that the D-FW market can be one of the best, but there are a variety of problems that need to be solved before that can happen.

Read more

Texas Rangers AL Wild Card Standings

The Texas Rangers are in the thick of the wild card playoff race for the first time since the 90s. The Rangers success is surprisingly due to their great pitching and defense, Ron Washington has even said that if you can’t play defense you will not be playing for the Texas Rangers. This is comforting to hear considering all the teams the Rangers have fielded in the past that were built to hit home runs and because of this struck out a lot. As I am writing this the Texas Rangers trail the Boston Red Sox by 2 games for the Wild Card Playoff spot. Below you will find the updated AL Wild Card Standings for the 2009 playoffs.

2009 MLB Playoffs – American League | MLB Baseball Tickets!

Wild Card Standings

	Team	Games Back	Games Left
1.)	Boston Red Sox	-	0
2.)	Detroit Tigers	9.5	0
3.)	Seattle Mariners	10.0	0
	updated: 10/7/2009	@ 9:30AM

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