Game Report: Rangers 8, Diamondbacks 5

1B Chris Davis hit a seventh-inning grand slam Wednesday night in Surprise to lead the Rangers to their seventh win in the last nine games. They have also tied one game in that stretch. Davis has 10 hits in his last 31 at-bats (.323) with three home runs and eight RBIs. (more…)

Game Book: Mavs v. Warriors

Kicking off the homestretch of the season, the Mavericks got a tougher-than-it-looks W against their archenemy over the last few years, the Golden State Warriors, taking it 128-106. (If a 22-point win can be difficult, this one was.) Early in the second half, it looked like those old demons were set to resurface. But a big run at the end of the third quarter and beginning of the fourth, keyed by the play of J.J. Barea, made everything nice and comfortable. How comfortable? With well over six minutes to play, undrafted free agent forward Rob Kurz checked into the game, which is the universal live-blogging signal to type “game over.” A few more thoughts after the jump.

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Let’s Do This: Rangers-Diamondbacks Live Blog

First, we start with an advisory: Sources close to Josh Hamilton confirm that the Rangers have made an initial contract offer to the center fielder. Rangers general manager Jon Daniels and owner Tom Hicks declined to comment on an offer, but Hicks did say “We like the player a lot and we want him to stay here a long time.”

In the past that’s been Rangers code for “We’re actively negotiating.”

What will a Hamilton deal look like? My guess is the Rangers would seek six years with an option for at least one more. I’m thinking he annual value would have to average out to about $9 million per year. Please feel free, however, to offer your own guesses.

And now on to the live blog. …

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Tom Hicks May Sell Up To 49 Percent of Rangers and Stars

SURPRISE, Ariz. - Rangers/Stars owner Tom Hicks on Wednesday confirmed InsideCorner’s report that he is seeking investors to buy a significant chunk of his U.S. sports operations.

Hicks currently controls 95 percent of the teams, but said he is willing to relinquish up to 49 percent of the Rangers and Stars. He said few major market clubs are completely controlled by one owner.

“I look at it as a way to improve things in a bad economy,” Hicks said. “It’s something we’ve been looking at quietly for the last couple of months. I don’t think it’s a big deal.”

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Turco on Turco; Tippett on Turco

It’s well chronicled that Marty Turco’s goals against average and save percentage are way down this season. But he is leading the NHL in one thing – minutes. He’s the first NHL goalie this season to crack the 4,000 mark, and that’s with missing about 160 minutes after being TKO’ed in five of his 69 starts. He’s on pace to crack his club-record 73 starts and 4,359 minutes, from the 2003-04 season when had a 1.98 GGA.

When asked early this afternoon in Frisco if he has played more than he expected this season, Turco said he really couldn’t answer that. “Our policy has been our game plan [going into the season] is no game plan,” he said. “Play as he [Dave Tippett] sees things are going. Too many variables to ever put a finger on it. This year is no exception. I expected to play a lot; that’s all.”

Tippett’s assessment of Turco’s play lately: “I would say Marty himself would be very disappointed with his play. He feels like he wants to have an impact on the outcome of games, and I don’t think he’s had a positive impact.”

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Evan Grant is Walking on Sunshine in Surprise

I just made a surprise appearance at the ballyard in Surprise, Arizona. Evan Grant was so surprised to see me, he almost grew a head of hair. I walked into the press box as he was walking out. He was very flustered and panicked. I asked him where he was going but he didn’t have to speak, I know that look–a man in love and on his way to pick up a special someone. It’s going to happen folks. Cherry limeades all around. Let’s play ball!

Farm Futures: Back from Surprise

I always come home a bit disappointed in who I didn’t get to see in action (Neil Ramirez, Wilmer Font, Blake Bevan, Kasey Kiker this time), but then again it’s always interesting to come across a standout I didn’t expect (Derek Holland & Kennil Gomez last year; Ian Kinsler in 2004; Edinson Volquez in 2005).

After the jump, I’ll empty out my notebook of thoughts and observations on who stood out and why during my four days in the desert.

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Funny How The Night Moves: Here Is Our Schedule For Tonight’s 8:05 (CDT) Rangers-Diamondbacks Game

We’ve got the first night game of the spring on top later today. Yay!

To celebrate we’ve got lots planned. What you ask? Well, just flip the page guys and dolls.

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NFL DRAFT Junkie – Episode 1 – Aaron Curry

If there are two things I like, it is the NFL Draft and YouTube. So, it gives me great joy to prepare for the NFL Draft by using YouTube. I think we all should.

Last week, at that old blogging home, I tackled the controversial case of Alabama OT Andre Smith, which I think you should consider.

Well, today, after Wake Forest had its pro day on Monday, we must get comfortable with LB Aaron Curry as the player with the label “player in the draft that appears to be flawless in the eyes of the NFL scouts.”

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Wednesday Morning Reporters Notebook: Concern Over Rangers Reliever Josh Rupe And More

PEORIA, Ariz. – All the circumstances line up for RHP Josh Rupe to be in the Rangers’ bullpen this season.

He has some of the best stuff on the staff, which pretty much speaks for itself. He led the American League in relief innings last year, meaning he can carry the workload necessary for a Rangers reliever. And he’s out of options, meaning if the team doesn’t put him on the opening day roster, it’s going to have to place him on waivers and offer him to every other team in the league.

So how is it that with less than two weeks before opening day, Rupe’s spot on the roster is anything but secure?

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Sticking the Fork in the Stars…

This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end

Of our elaborate plans, the end
Of everything that stands, the end
No safety or surprise, the end
Ill never look into your eyes…again

And there is your dagger. Mathematically, it would appear that the Stars season is still within their grasp, but having not missed a shift this season, I am here to tell you that I am fresh out of “Believe”.

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Sources: Tom Hicks Is Seeking Investment Partners For Sports Empire

Apparently, even multi-millionaire sports owners aren’t immune from the current economic slowdown and credit crunch.

In an effort to keep his sports empire ahead of the struggling economy, Rangers/Stars owner Tom Hicks has started courting potential investors to take on minority shares of one or both clubs, three sources said this week. Reached by email at Tuesday’s Stars-Vancouver game, Hicks declined to comment. TSN, Canada’s version of ESPN, also reports Hicks is interested in adding investors.

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