Thursday A.M. Housecleaning: More Questions For You

I’m sorry, sorry, sorry that we weren’t at the most interesting game of the year last night, but with a somewhat limited travel budget, we’ve had to pick and choose a little. When I made April’s travel plans,  I certainly didn’t think an umpire would go down, Derek Holland would make his major league debut, the Rangers would install a revolving door in the bullpen or that a new reliever would meet his teammates for the first time on the mound as he was entering a game. Lesson learned.

So, here’s the thing I want to put up for a vote: How do you want me to cover road games that I don’t attend. Do you want me to do a Depot live blog during the game and a Post-Game show exactly as we’ve done for home games? Do you want me to post thoughtful columns the next morning? Do you have other ideas? Here’s one thing to keep in mind: Most of the games we won’t attend will be weekend games and Saturday nights would seem to be a good night for me to take off (because I’m such a party animal). We’ll still be open for business on Saturday, but I would imagine that would be the one day every two weeks or so that I’d take off. So give me your thoughts.

pdx 4c logoAlso, I want to remind you about the unique opportunity we’re presenting as we try and create a really interactive community and social network for Rangers fans. We will be at Pappadeaux on Oak Lawn in Dallas on May 11, starting at 5:30. Michael Young, Ian Kinsler and Marlon Byrd will join us for the first two hours. I’m trying to round up a few other special guests. It’s a low-key happy hour, mix and mingle session. There is no admission charge. Nobody will be prosecuted for autograph-seeking (though we’d like to limit it to one request per player). We’d only like you to participate and maybe even stick around and have some dinner, or at least an appetizer or two. Let me know if you are interested in this. We really want to make it the first of some very special outings that will only get better with more and more participation. Let us know if you are thinking about attending this event. Again, we want to make it special for you.

And finally, our latest visit to the Viral Video Vault has us sitting down with Michael Shlact to talk about his place in the Rangers organization. Not sure if Shlact will ever be a major league pitcher, but he’s got some really interesting things to say about working with Mark Connor this spring on a Roy Halladay type delivery. And he’s a Georgia fan.

Also, here’s the other stuff that’s still kinda fresh in the vault: Rangers RHP Brandon McCarthy, Frisco SS Marcus Lemon and RHP Tommy Hunter.

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27 Comments to “Thursday A.M. Housecleaning: More Questions For You”
  • Phil

    A post game show would be good… but I would really like to see “thoughtful columns.” That is, observations about the game, callups, etc. I appreciate your observations. And feel free to take days off. You need to stay fresh too!

  • Phil

    Oh, and I am planning on attending the Pappadeaux event.

  • Terry

    Evan, I would like to see thoughtful comments the next morning on games you watch on TV. You see things we don’t, and the local paper just doesn’t offer much insight anymore. They are now written more like wireservice stories, rather than nuggets from someone who knows the players and the team. That’s why I enjoy reading your articles, and am glad they are here.

  • SAD

    For me, skipping the weekend games works. I found myself checking here last night for your comments on Holland, O’Day, etc.

  • Fred

    All of the above: Depot Live Blog; Post Game and A.M. Thoughtful comments.
    Understand the need for a day off, but can you have a relief blogger scheduled for that day? For an interactive experience, there needs to be a chance to interact in real time. Or, at least open a thread for each game so that you can collect comments/questions to consider for your a.m. missive.
    As to weekends, it looks like Lonestar still has plenty of traffic for weekend games. Maybe the heavy day game schedule early in the year has depressed. If you’re watching a game on TV, share with us. Assume DMN does OK on the Mavs budget cut blogs from the couch.
    We wouldn’t be asking for so much if we didn’t respect your input–or if we had other options that were as good.
    Even if you’re not there, you have a frame of reference and knowledge base from being there most of the time, that most of us don’t have.
    This has become my go-to Rangers source, but it needs, in my opinion, a chance for game interactivity or at least, communication.

  • Becca

    I think the during game stuff is greatness. But I don’t think you should feel like you have to do every one live-blog-like. An after game recap the night of or day after (or even Monday after on a weekend game) would be ideal. I like what Terry said. Your baseball brain sees more things on the TV than mine, so I think comments on stuff you don’t see live would be just as appreciated here.

  • Hart2Heart

    I would love to see the depot and post game show for road games you don’t attend. Even though we all are watching the same thing on TV – I think you can provide a unique perspective on the game… Would have loved to hear your in game thoughts yesterday. Also would love to see a in depth game column the next day, as another commenter said – the newspaper just doesn’t cut it anymore…

    Take a day off when ever you want.

  • blalock

    I would really love to come here for in game stuff or post game stuff. I kept coming over here last night hoping y’all had posted something interesting about the events last night.

  • Little O

    What Terry said.

  • Evan Grant

    You guys all make salient points. And as always this interweb is kind of evolving. I will be here with you tonight. Promise.

    Don’t forget the Pappadeaux event. Want to hit a home run and want us/them to be prepared for that homer. So, if you think you might come, let me know.

    Thanks for your very kind words asking for commentary. I mean, the civility here is just remarkable. I appreciate it very much and am sorry for letting you down last night.

  • Brent

    I want to know your thoughts, even if you aren’t at the game. Feel free to take a night off here and there, but get Mike or the Sturminator to fill in for you. The live-blogging is greatness, but if you can’t do that, at least give us your postgame thoughts that night or in the morning.

    For me, this blog has become my DMN replacement. If this blog and Newberg both take the same night off, I get the Ranger shakes.

  • Mick

    I’ll be at the meet and greet on 5/11. And +1 to what Terry said.

  • scooper

    You could never let us down, Evan! Your insight is what we crave. Anything you do is greatly appreciated, but I really would like a recap and your thoughts. And you do need some time off. I’m planning on being at the meet-and-greet. Thanks for everything
    !

  • Dr Pepper presents Batface McGee

    I really like the Depot and day after game analysis. Like a guy above me said, the DMN sucks and they dont tell me anything I didnt already know myself. You, on the other hand, brings a lot more to the table in terms of stategy, 2nd guessing, and situational analysis. Please keep it up.

    Another thing I really enjoyed was the Series Preview you have done a couple of times. Is that just going to be for homestands? I think it would be very cool if we could get one of those before every road trip too.

    And I plan on being at the Papapadeaux event.

    Keep up the great work EG.

  • Matt

    Pappadeaux event sounds sweet.

  • Ehren

    Evan, you haven’t let anyone down. It’s unfair of us to ask you to be on 24/7. Any game you can’t make it to, “thoughtful columns” the next morning would be perfect. If something big happens during the game and you’re next to the computer feel free to post something to get a head start to questions in the moring. I will certianly be at the happy hour!

  • walrus

    Evan, you guys obviously are trying to do something new, and there is a transition taking place in how sports journalism is done. My question for you is how has the response been so far? Has it been bigger than you expected, or maybe you’re patiently waiting for the fan base to build, or even increasing your Prozac dosage? I hope I speak for a lot of people who enjoy visiting this site multiple times per day to catch up on the Rangers and that we’d like a comment or two from you on how the whole idea is working out.

  • Evan Grant

    @walrus: Actually, I’m on Cymbalta now. Loves me the Cymbalta. The whole process is a transition and it’s constantly evolving. I don’t think anything will stay the same for very long anywhere. Information evolution just moving too fast. I think the response has been far above what I would have hoped for and certainly the additions of guys like MJH, Sturm, Jeff Miller, Dane Brugler, etc. have been huge helps. But it does take time to get the word out. We’ve done no advertising. All word of mouth basically. If you believe in our product, the best things you can do are vist our site, keep giving me feedback on what works and what doesn’t, email your friends who might not know about our Little Corner and support our sponsors. That part of the formula is pretty much tried and true. We’ll keep working to do the best job possible if you promise to keep reading and offering your critique.

  • David C

    If you were at Pappadeaux just west of downtown Ft Worth, I could make it. But I work around there and usually don’t leave until about six, so the Oak Lawn location might be tough. But I understand that it is D Magazine who employs you and most of your readership is probably in the Dallas area.

  • Evan Grant

    @David C: We’ll try and have something a little further West later this season, but, hey, if you leave work around 6, you are there by 7 and you’ve probably built up a hefty appetite in the car!

  • RAT

    Regarding the games you do not attend, I think at the very least, it would be nice to have a game specific blog post. If anything, for the loyal readers here to post their thoughts on the on-goings of the game.

    So I guess like a live blog, just without the live blogging. Ha! The fans will take care of that. ~in-game discussion~

    As for the event on the 11th, I’ll try to make it, but I can’t promise anything just yet.

  • Old Landman

    The Pappadeaux event sounds great, but I live and work out in Granbury and making it into Dallas during the week just doesn’t work for me.

    Evan, I’m hoping that one of these type things could be done in Ft. Worth at some point, although like a previous poster said, I know you work for D magazine, not FTW magazine…..

  • cameron

    I’d love to have a “thoughtful column” even if you do not attend the game. I live in Austin, and with some changes in my cable lineup, unless I increase my cable package I won’t see any of the games this year, so you’re analysis is huge for me. And mlb.tv isn’t an option bc for some reason Rangers games are blacked out here (as if going to the game is an option).

  • Doug Fu

    Some post game discussion would be good.

    Oh and put me down for the Pappadeaux event on 5/11.

  • Fred

    Evan-
    I must admit to mixed feelings about building your traffic.
    Obviously, you have to do it to be a commercial success and, probably, for the blog to survive. So be it.
    However, it has a nice, neighborhood feel now. I fear that with big numbers will come the riff raff that make some of the other blogs less enjoyable–the “look at me” sophomoric “wits” and the knee jerk, naive, self appointed “baseball experts”.
    I guess I’ll just enjoy it while I can.
    Good luck.

  • Last of the Romohicans

    Maybe late to the party – but the one thing I’ve always thought was key for something like this is consistancy.

    That said, the Depot is the one thing I look for. Found myself last night looking and then remembering “oh, yeah…” Right now, with more on than off it isn’t hard to remember, but if it’s gone for like a week, I’ve got a short attention span, so no promises.

    Also, most “live blogs” are done off of TV, specifically since lots of organizations (read: NCAA) ban any type of live blogging from the stadium. So I don’t think it hurts credibility at all.

  • MA Gunter

    I’d attend.