D

Evan,

Any word on Cruz’s new roll with Josh back? Is he only starting against LHP?

should it count as a record for a 9 inning game when you start 1 1/2 to 2 hours before the game?

Great point Don….I say it should count.

Stupid weather feed….where is that rock someone was talking about last night?? Seems only slow on the depot, cause I was just reading all of the other stuff.

AND YEAH! WHERE’S NELLIE??? Can’t argue with Jones hitting that 3 run HR, but can lightning strike 3 times in one week? Guess we’ll see.

not much, TD. What’s up with you?

scooper, always ready for a victory.

@SCOOPER: Thanks man…just havin a little fun.

cant put pressure on the kid.

Why is it we have the new phylosophy of challanging the kids until they reach the majors and then they do what they can to not challange them?
Why not murphy? He is patient, had decent speed and has some pop when its needed, but he is batting 7th.

I have no idea. I am constantly confused by Washington. I really do like him. I think he’s good for the team, but he baffles me, a lot. Thinking about taking Holland still infuriates me, even after reading all explanations. He’s still sitting Cruz, who was sat last week, maybe the week before for a couple. Unless this is some sort of work ethic thing, I don’t know why he’s sitting. This is not even taking into account his odd bullpen strategy that changes nightly.

@RangersFan: Murphy and Byrd are playing well, and he obviously is going to let Andruw continue to DH. With Hamilton, that leaves no room for Cruz (at least until Wash decides that Murphy or Byrd needs to sit).

That is part of Murphy’s problem. When he was doibg so well last year he was batting fifth and the lineup was consistent. This year I guess RW rolls the dice because it seems Murphy has maybe two days in a row in the same position, but is constantly changing
Most managers will move a guy down in the lineup if in a slump otherwise they leave the
lineup constant.

sure would love to go 3-2 over the last 5 games and go into the break at 11 over .500

when was the last time the rangers could say that?

Scooper, the easy thing?
Why give cruz 3 days off right before the AS break against your division rivals?
He is a huge bat in the middle of the lineup.
I understand the plug omar in but why not put omar at 7 and murph in 1?
That is not juggling the lineup around and makes more sense.

@evan you gotta get them to take high-speed outa the d banner headline……there’s nothing high-speed about this site……it’s peanut butter slow…..

Jeez, I hope that Cruz’s back is flared up. I would rather NOT make the playoffs this year with Cruz playing than make it and get bumped with Jones taking his playing time. I DON’T sacrifice 2010 one iota for this year. Davis was different – he went down for his OWN good.

If Cruz is healthy, he doesn’t need to be giving ABs to Jones on a consistent basis. He does need rest, but he got that last night.

wash’s brain gets in a liplock sometimes and he can’t twist his way out of it and then he’s made the move and it’s too late……

I still believe that wash plays the game out in his mind before first pitch and he sticks with what he thought would happen no matter what happens in the real game.

@Evan,

For me, one of the most intriguing stories, both ON and OFF the field relates to CJ. The performance part is obvious, but I am struck by the way that he seems to have been ‘welcomed’ back into the ‘family’. The guy seemed like he was on an island at the end of last year and in April. It seems like a remarkable turn-around. I loved his statements a few weeks ago regarding the closer status and they needed FrankFranc to be what they want to be.

You mentioned at one point that somebody must have finally gotten to him and sat him down and got him to listen. Do you have any more color on that?

Finally, I love him in the Pen and we wouldn’t be here without him. But I am definitely INTRIGUED by what he would do as a starter. He seems like a Kenny Rogers all over again.

Listening to the Rangers Podcast in Arlington.

AJM – you need to have a stronger statement as to why MY is a liability at 3B other than “he’s a statute”. Hey, I watched the games last year and saw his lack of range and called a spade a spade. But he’s not killing us this year at 3B. He’s is average over there. And his ability charging balls has improved to the point that he’s now one of the best IMO.

Don’t be so sour and “intellectual”. You sound miserable talking baseball as if you don’t enjoy it.

Great site, btw. Just lighten up.

whew. game’s finally going to start! i’m ready for some baseball, but the west coast starts make my mornings rough.

Jack Daddy, I’ve got to disagree with you on CJ. Granted, he is pitching lights out right now, but I see more Matt Whiteside in him than Kenny Rogers.

@JackDaddy- Dont you think MY is better than anyone that played there last year? I haven’t thought of him as a liability at all this year.

@workhorse – one of our hardest throwers. Sits at 94 and touches 98. Filthy slider and pretty dang effective change. Not sure the Matty Whitey comp.

@rangers fan – YES. Was arguing with AJM, who just seems to think the guy is not any good (he’s appalled he made the all-star game over Scott Rolen).

i guess that’s why cruz isn’t playing

WASH is a genius. LOL.

to jones’ credit – he generates tremendous power withou “over” swinging like a from a bugs bunny cartoon (see Hammer Blalock).

He looks locked in circa 2004 right now. that bat does NOT look slow. I hate it!! But love being wrong!

Ok. I’m going to stop bitching about Andruw DH’ing.
@obagain: I agree.
@JackDaddy: there are a lot of starters like that around; C.J. is worth more in the ‘pen.

@rangers fan – adam morris, from lonestar ball and Rangers Podcast in America.

Posts here often (I believe he is Last of the Romohecans).

well padilla starts off nicely!

Evan, it is good to see hicks is at least saying he is interested.
I dont like the idea of giving up 4-5 top prospects to gat him but I like thae he is trying.

oh ok…I’ve seen that. He seems very negative most of the time.

So what happens if Blalock keeps hitting and Davis goes on an extended streak in OKC and appears to have regained confidence and his swing. Who plays 1st?

Question #2: What if Blalock and Jones bring their averages up and become attractive trade pieces. Teams offering good bullpen arms or something like that. Do you trade them?

@evan: I don’t even want to get my hopes up about Halladay; however, I can’t help but think that we have what it takes to get him.

I wonder what does everybody think about our chances of getting holliday honestly I dont think it will happen but I didnt think we would be in first place so shows what i know

Josh just said that the Angels are 77-40 when Izturis plays. If they thought he was the real reason for that record, they would play him every day!

Halos have 2 hits, and this is the best I’ve seen Padilla’s fastball all year. He’s throwing poison darts.

Young – OK defense and an excellent bat. I’ll take that out of my third baseman.

alan, we have the prospect to get him.
The question is do we want to give up a ton to get him, do we have the ability to sign him to an extension so he doesnt walk after next year and will he waive his no trade clause to come here.

I wonder how much the Alexis Arguello tribute is gonna cost Padilla? $500, maybe?

Did they fine Millwood when he put Harry Kalas’ initals on his cap?

These are the things

In conclusion to that abbreviated mess…

These are things that tax my baseball brain sometimes

Would salty have gotten a hit there?

DC, they are not going to take on payroll, they will want young prospects.

You dont want to get padilla started.

In radio discussions today…the old grey wolf seemed to think Halladay wanted no part of coming to Texas and that Toronto would want Smoak, Andrus and more. To that I so HECK NO! We are not ready for that kind of trade now.

If santana hits one of our guys, or he gives up a HR, or doesnt get a strike call, or walks a batter or…wait what was my point going to be?

If halladay wouldn’t OK the trade, then it is a moot point.

Come of hamilton, you are killing me.

Nice DP.

Evening all. Looks good so far. Is la’s radar gun a little fast? Padilla has hit 96 a few times and he doesn’t do that in Arlington

wow. the site loads amazingly fast if you disable JavaScript… :^)

i say it every time he plays, but i really like having omar on the team.

Great at-bat by Omar. Let Pop-up watch and learn.

@evan: who’s going to tell Kinsler that he has a new nickname (Pop-Up)?

@ChrisHartman
See Dallas Man U’s comment

“Everybody has a need for a starting pitcher,” Washington said. “We’d certainly like to get a top-notch starting pitcher. We’ve got some young guys and they’ve handled themselves well. But we’re getting to the dog days of August and experience is going to mean a lot.”

-From TR Sullivans latest piece

That kind of mentality is what worries me about this thing.

ranger fan, I agree.

whoops I forgot to mention strike out…usually MY is better then that.
Whoops that works, thanks again angels battery.

Evening everyone!!!!

HOMER!!!!!!!!

It’s the Beer Guy! Everyone’s favorite. LOL

Hey beer guy and ehren.

Hitting refresh is like soooo 1996 dial up speed. Brutal.

Ryan, just mark out cut and write in trade.

and beer guy, good thing you’re here. i would like a delivery. thank you.

hey obagain! picked a great time to come on!

you have to give wash credit for going with andruw in this series…even though it looked bad when murphy didn’t play in the first game

@Evan/anyone: Any thoughts on BJ Ryan? Blue Jays released him today. Might be something to his lack of playing time to blame for his woes. Could be a quality LHP to replace/supplement Guardado…guess Toronto is on hook for his salary, so we could pick him up for peanuts, no?

hey scooper, TD, Jack and becca

The problem I have with the vetrans playing is I want these young guys getting playing time in these “big” games to gain the experience needed down the road. To me I see it as a set back. We aren’t world series contenders. So while we are division contenders lets let young guys get experience that will be beneficial when we are big time contenders.

hey hey the gang’s all here

Hey, Ehren! Hey, Beer Guy! Glad y’all are present!

@rangers fan: i agree, i prefer seeing the young guys playing. experience is the only way to learn. that being said, the old farts are producing. it’s a fine line between playing for contention and playing for building… i could never make that decision.

I am a firm believer in mixing in some vets with young talent. Not majority vets mind you, but still…the teams with 100% young talent are perennial losers (Pittsburgh comes to mind), who just putter along. I think the vets can play a key role in teaching and holding things together.

I am thinking more like 9.8… early early 1996.

The funny part is that connection speed will soon be in a movie where some young person does not understand why the internet is so slow.

Like this kid who trades his iPod for a Walkman and gets hopelessly confused. Best line: “It took me three days to figure out that there was another side to the tape.”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8117619.stm

great game. just don’t know how long i can stay awake for it.

Need another GB at somebody.

Another angle to consider, there is a lot to be gained from a young player sitting on the bench next to Vizquel or Guardado and learning that way. Not ALL experience has to be learned first hand.

@TheBeerGuy- I agree. I think those vets are Omar, Eddie, Young is a vet, but I really don’t want to see Jones and Blalock (when Davis has shown he is ready to come back) playing everyday. They won’t be here next year. And I think you trade them while you can if you can bring in another bullpen arm. Their streak won’t last for the duration.

@beerguy: did you take your girl with you?

Oh and also Milwood seems to be a good mentor for Holland. You see them talking a lot during games and such.

@Auditor
I read that article the other day, pretty good read. It is amazing all the gadgets kids have these days, and I am only 24. I can imagine a few of you thought that about my walkman.

abreu and padilla have the same nose.

@scooper: hehe, i met up with her there and a few others. Not sure where it’s going! Seems cooled off now :\

Need to limit them to 1 here, come on padilla.

Is there any way we could lock Abreu and Rivera in a vault somewhere before the next series with LA? Ugh.

@evan: and Andruw hasn’t even been hot until now. Imagine if he really went on a tear!

im scared to geath of rivera, he’s the Rangers Killer 2.0

OKC is off tonight, that is good timing for davis, have a couple really good games then a day off to just relax.

How come the only people that are ever “designated” are drivers and hitters???

wahoo!!! i really root for this kid!

@Ryans Dad: No fan of Padilla’s hair. Seems a little bit too much work.

You guys/gals are on such a hot pace tonight, I can’t keep up with you. Amazing. Looks like 449 is the Mark McGwire of comment records. In other words, it could have a very short reign.

I’m with you Old Tom, I think they should take a look at BJ Ryan. They would probably want to sign him to a minor league deal to test him out, and I bet there is a team out there who will take him on the major league team right away…

@becca: I really root for TT, too!

@Evan or anyone else…

is there a chance that, due to last night’s pitiful effort, Nippert does not start against Seattle? I don’t know who they would start in his place, so I guess I just answered my own question. but man, did he look rusty last night

“And they give you cash, which is just as good as money.”
Gotta love Yogi.

@Jeffrey: If you’re going to change up the rotation to get Nippert the start last night, then you have to give him another one.

I like to think I really root for all the players (Blalock and Jones only to get some sort of trade value).

I won tickets to the detroit game on the 27th, decent seats and my wife is going so I am looking forward to it.

@Ehren: I am trying to convince a long-time friend who is a Boston fan to meet me in DFW for either the July or August Red Sox series. Depends on availability of cheap flights!

If we win this game, that will be a huge statement. Not saying we will win the division–and we’re certain to struggle at times–but this team will fight to the end. Again, if they win tonight, they will have convinced me to not panic this year. I’ll call them true contenders.

The ump must have heard me. Padilla’s getting some calls.

TD and Beer Guy: it’s a must. Scooper you better be in on it too.

@Jeffrey: the difference would be that they could only use him for about 20 pitches last night; Sunday, he would be ready to go.

Lewin: “My bad” hahaha

Padilla’s velocity is back up, a good sign. Maybe with the All Star break he can get it all back.

@alan: I was just thinking the same thing, that they must regret that big contract.

@ehren: I have some logistical problems; I won’t know for another week or so if I could even go. At that point, I don’t know if I will even be able to get a ticket.

Would a package of Salty, moscoso, arias, kiker and moreland get us halliday?

@alan: i too get a good belly laugh and say “sucka” everytime i think of it.

@obagain- I can’t think it would. According to something I read when the Cards inquired basically they were asked to hand them their list of prospects and circle any 5. I don’t want us to do that.

One tough part of getting Halladay is that the GM in Toronto is on a short leash. If he trades Halladay he is going to have to get a kings ransom for him. He will have to see results very quickly from whoever he gets in return or he’s outta there.

@obagain: they have an all-star 2b. Also, they are going to want our BEST prospects, not the ones that we are willing to give up.

3 homers?!?!?!?!

Nellie WHO?

get out of town. i’m afraid to even THINK anything bad about andruw now for fear of all of you knowing i thought it and calling me out!

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!

so….maybe the slump is officially over?

Yeah, let’s sit Jones

Wow.. the homerun Rangers are back in style.

Wow the home run pool is officially in a state of confusion.

Did not expect this tonight.

8-1!

Evan is going to have to dig to find “Three Down” at this point of the game.

Again with the 2 out in the 5th rally…

let’s also remember the scariness of the last rubber match with this team…keep the pedal to the metal!

and there’s hammy asking “what about mine???”

Moreland is a hitting machine, arias can really play short or 2nd, kiker is a power lefty with very good numbers in AA, moscoso has a .90 era in AAA and looked good when he was here.
Salty is a switch hitting catcher.
That is a pretty good package.
You cant give up holland, feliz or perez.
I would put beavan in instead of moscoso but they are going to want a pitcher that is ready now.

speaking of vlad…i might of missed it, but is he hurt?

wow. don’t really know what to say.

@evan – is is possible that the Borbon call-up was to Jones/Blalock what the waiver of padilla was to him? Seems like a stretch, but man, look at the evidence.

I don’t think that was the intent (i think they just wanted a spark), but man.

Quote from Riccardi:

“So anyone who comes to us with two young players — that’s the equivalent of the draft picks — we’d need something else and something else and something else and something else.”

ehren, yes, hurt his leg making a throw last night.

@ehren: i think he pulled something last night.

@s.Arcasm: if they do, we’ve got the right guy out there to respond

@Jack: do you think the return of Josh (presence) has anything to do with it?

@Alan: Yep, that’s him. He owns those seats, and has for years.

Odds on them hitting Jones next at bat?

@Ehren: Vlad strained a muscle behind his knee last night. Torii Hunter has a strained abductor muscle. Both could be on way to DL.

@Jack Daddy: I’d like to think that these players are responsible professionals and that messages like that don’t necessarily have to be delivered. Padilla was different. Rangers communicated directly to him that he was not well-liked or respected within his own clubhouse.

POW.

@becca: thankfully Wang didn’t hurt himself. LOL

My guess is that they hit somebody soon.

It is imperative to beat the living crap out of this bullpen tonight to make sure it’s good and softened up for the Yankees starting Friday.

Yes it will start a fight, or Padilla will kill someone.

i meant yankees. i swear. i knew that. i have tired head

OK, what about salty, beavan, kiker, ramirez and moreland?

@evan: so do they like padilla now?

@becca: Sorry to have to tell you this, but the Yankees Wang is on the DL right now, too.

It’s nice to be putting the other team’s bullpen into the red zone, especially the Angels. It happened to us enough last year to last three seasons.

Right now is a good time to be a Ranger fan.

Halladay is a real stud, no doubt. But I wouldn’t give up what it would take to get him. Just no guarantee that we would have him after 2010, plus it adds quite a bit of salary. I think the cost/benefit analysis is better for a lower tier guy like Correia.

Becca, they tolerate him now, I dont think he has many friends in the clubhouse.

Wang hurt his shoulder…too much vigorous arm movement.

that makes me sad. everyone needs friends, although i can honestly say i like maybe 3 of my coworkers. everyone needs wang too.

but hey, at least the rangers are winning.

Great pitch!

padilla looks like he’s pitching with a chip on his shoulder. good. he’s throwing hard tonight

Wow NASTY three pitch at bat to the best hitter on their team in my humble opinion.
Go Vinny.

Did we find out what the “AA” was on Vinny’s cap? I hate playing catch-up.

when padilla’s on, he’s the best on the staff, in my opinion.

RF, he did it to himself.
First he hardly speaks english.
Then he hits guys and the other team retaliates.
He knowingly hits guys for stupid stuff, like the ump not giving him a strike call.
The guys dont want to get hurt because he throws a tantrum.

Anyone see the Verducci mid-season warads on si.com? talk about no love for the rangers. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_verducci/07/07/midseason.report/index.html?eref=sihpT1

Ehren http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexis_Arguello

I WOULD look to trade some of the guys that are on the roster bubble, rather than risk them for nothing (vallejo, arias, poveda and moscosco). guys that have some value but I see being leap-frogged here. if not for a piece to help this year, for younger guys that aren’t rule V eligible yet.

Finally, I would love to see Martin Perez get called up straight to Frisco like Feliz last year – just simply so that I can see him in person in August/September.

padilla is a beast when he is on…..his on is the definition of dialed in……..love to watch it as it is a thang of beauty……

Im sorry, but those who want Bradley and wouldn’t even consider a trade for Halladay are absolutely nuts.

Thanks Dad!

Dont get me started on bandwagon fans. Ask Ryans Dad about my thoughts on those morons.

@obagain- I don’t disagree but it is sad.
@LOTR0- it seems that way but most of the people here seem to be pretty level-headed. Not the case over on the DMN site.

Has anyone else noticed the loud, collective groan coming from the crowd when the Rangers make contact?

@alan: I hope so too! Also I think this will help the team attract more free agents in the off season.

@alan i hope no one recognizes the above-average season we’re having so that we can sneak up on everyone like the rays last year

as for bradley, i think he and andruw are pretty interchangeable. he wouldn’t have a place with andruw doing what he’s doing now. and when andruw goes cold again…there’s cruz, boggs, etc…

Right now poveada is the starter for friday.

Did anyone notice the face of MY that Omar didn’t go on that. If he had the lead he should have taken, he should have gone.

Becca, boggs dislocated his shoulder and will be out for a while.

Auditor: you also have to figure food, beer, parking and gift shop buys.

@Evan- thinking down the road…what does Davis have to do to get back up here? And how does Blalocks numbers affect that?

@Rangers Fan
Just rewound it, MY seemed to just be adjusting himeself….
How about figgins look on the rapid rewind?

I would like to see Hank’s glove moving from the ground up on his pick’s. There will be errors as long as he is moving his glove from top to bottom.

Good night everyone. See you in Seattle.

“First place Texas Rangers”

Don’t forget that the Angels may also get in on the Halladay sweepstakes. If they get him it will make the division that much tougher for the next several years (assuming they sign him to an extension). Everyone seems to be assuming that all of the Rangers prospects are going to be great and winning the division next year and beyond is a given. Not so fast, my friend.

@the dr pepper sponsored gentleman: good night to you too. and holy late night. it’s already 11. i’m getting too old for this.

Haha he looked to be squinting to me but still funny regardless, thanks for the heads up.
Also I love my DVR.

Hey we were the lead story on baseball tonight well mostly because of Andrew Jones but I will say it again at least we are on there for something good and not for losing 12 to 11 or something like that

anyone catch how many pitches VP is up to?

A Padilla CG would be just what the doctor ordered!!! Anybody know his pitch count?

He’s at 95 pitches

@Jack: absolutely agree on both counts. don’t even get me started on “Habib” or “All Sheep..” over at DMN.

@Jack Daddy: The SF Giants actually do something similar with their tickets. They have a few sections that has a sliding price based on interest in the game. As more tickets sell the price goes up. I don’t remember the specifics, but it is based on what you are saying. They would rather get people in the house for cheap then have empty seats.

If halliday goes to the angels lets hope they give up their top 5 prospects and he walks after next year.

@obagain – very intrigued by de los santo. but he seems like a mirage at this point – kind of like syd finch. or was it sid fynch?

Angels + halladay scares me. but they won’t get him. Jays will send to NL. Angels have a great farm, don’t get me wrong, but I like oour future better. Plus, i don’t think they resign Lackey and even if they do, the dude has thrown a lot of innings (see mark beuhrle).

i would love to not see halladay until the world series

@ehren – habib is the main guy i was thinking of. haven’t hit anybody since i was 17 but love to smash that dude. everytime i read that “sheep” line, my bp skyrockets. i finally gave up. they’re idiots. if you hate the team so much, why bother blogging all day?

The thing we need to remember about trades is we have a loaded system, our second tier guys would be top 5 in most systems.

what was last night’s final tally?

@Jack: you going to the boston game?

With Josh and Tag talking about the celebration in the game today…that’s one thing to really like about this team. They seem to all be hard works and you don’t really see any “hot-doggers”. Or am I being blind?

why 2 of 3 from seattle……why not 3-0…..they haven’t beat us yet, why start now?

@Evan: Tell Molly Hi for us! So will you be going straight to the airport from the game to catch the flight?

11:20: So, the column I’ve been working on all night is now up and ready for your reading enjoyment during the seventh inning stretch. I take a more in-depth look at dealing for Roy Halladay. Is it doable? Perhaps. Lots of complications. Lots of obstacles.

http://insidecorner.dmagazine.com/index.php/2009/07/08/the-rangers-and-roy-halladay-is-it-possible/

just saying – they won the opener of the 3 game set in Arlington. we won 2 and 3 no walkoffs (hank double and davis bomb). did bedard come off dl today? or are we facing him? what about felix? He toyed with us in may.

@Jack Daddy: Doug Melvin is not buddies with Toronto management. J.P. Ricciardi replaced Gord Ash as Toronto GM. Ash is a close friend of Melvin’s and, as it turns out, now his assistant GM in Milwaukee.

So Hicks says he’s willing to spend a little for the right trade, Halladay seems a little to rich for this thing. I also doubt Roy has any desire to pitch in Texas. What deals are we looking at here? Anyway to get Buckholtz from Boston w/o Smoak being part of the deal? Does this thing need a bat +intangibles in a N. Johnson? Is Sheets going to be ready after All-Star break?

@JackDaddy- I think Bedard is Sunday and King Felix is tomorrow, I believe.

WHAT IS VICNTE DOING???

Evan—IMO, all you have to do take ALL the blog fans away from competitors is to show us more of yourself…sometimes seems like you’ve tuned us out…but I agree with others, I like the fact that those who post on this blog are not as negative as the DMN folks

Remember that ALL of us are on here because of YOU…we moved to follow the best beat writer

@becca: “i can’t imagine any team is that desperate for one player to fleece their entire org.”

I would almost guarantee that Halladay is traded within a month. There are a lot of teams that would love to have him. I think the only people that don’t want him are people on this blog. You have to give up a lot of talent to get a stud like Halladay, and there are plenty of teams that will do it.

@evan – that’s right. i knew there was a connection. Weren’t ash and melvin in each other’s wedding parties or something?

I hope he is okay why do they do that him and millwood

So, who all is coming to hang out at the Bston game on July 21? Really hoping for a rocking good time.

@Jack: IC game is on Tues.

Here is a good column from Heyman on SI.com about the suitors for Halladay. I tend to stay away from ESPN.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/07/08/halladay.trade/index.html

You know, it is nice being on the other end of picking up pitchers.
O’day has been great and now grilli looks pretty good. I am sure those other teams are kicking themselves for letting them go.

Wow- Hangover talk going on…interesting

@alan
Don’t forget Evan has a job to do that doesn’t necessarily include us at all.
I think he is pretty attentive considering he is watching a game and writing about the team and possibly the game itself at the same time.

BTW Evan good column, unfortunately the only place I can see the Rangers having in this deal is one they usually take. As bait to drive up the price for other teams.

@PTRF: can you fly??? LOL

@Ehren: Ok, I’ll stay home.

@Evan: I’m with obagain. anyone one of us would be more than happy to help out in any way.

@PTRF: be proud to wear the Yanks gear. i’m not offended. it’s not Tex related is it?

Just getting home after being in the car for a while and listening to the game and I just want to say that Steve Busby is the man. Can we PLEASE replace Dave Barnett with him for the rest of the season once Eric Nadel is back in the saddle 100%?

Evan, Have you thought about putting the notes that are at the top inside the comments but use another color so we know it is from you so we just have to scroll up till we see that color?

Hey I dont know who that alan Is this alan did not write that just let everyone know there is two alan’s here

@PTRF
So let me get this straight, you are a Ranger and Yankee fan?
hmm.
I used to be that way, I think I was maybe 11 or 12, even had a poster of Jeter on my wall.

Then the yankee’s smashed us in our first ever playoff series.

After the final out I ran into my room and ripped the poster of the wall. I have hated the yanks ever since.

GO AJ!

@jack daddy NO we’re 5-0 vs seattle……so instead of thinking 2 of 3 we should be thinking sweep…..we have their mojo and we shouldn’t give it up

@JackDaddy: if that package is all it takes, it’s a no-brainer.

@Jack Daddy: Does she have any single friends?

Ha. I’m kidding. I think. I’m not so sure.

@Jack

True they will sell more concessions and parking. But honestly, if you go to a game how much more do you really spend? Maybe two trips to the concessions stand. Maybe $15 dollars… and how many people are driving by them selves? So maybe an extra $15 for those extra 10k in attendance but do not forget the additional cost to service those people ether.

So we add and extra $150k a home night. For maybe 36 game… this assumes the trade happens before the next home-stand. So that is an extra $5.4m before any additional cost.

You still have the fact that they let go of people in a down economy and then suddenly add additional payroll. Sorry, this is a poor public relations problem waiting to happen.

OT: anyone know what that acoustic guitar song is that plays on the some of the rangers tv spots?

@Evan: Careful, Molly is with you. Did you ever tell her hi for us?

How long is this Kinsler break supposed to last? Just tonight, tonight and tomorrow?

@WacoGreg: See my comment at 11:39. I am a Yankees fan first and foremost. I follow the Rangers simply because of this site.

@PTRF- Oh dear…it’s a Tex shirt? Yuck!

@just saying – how could i have forgotten that one? Holland got his first win that night! I vaguely remember that game. Kind of weird. I was at the davis walk off. I guess that game used up my brain’s RAM.

So CJ Wilson just tweeted…apparently from the dugout? Interesting, or not?

@the other Alan…I’ll post as Alan in SA from now on so as not to slander your reputation

In the last I dont know how many years I have seen the rangers going to play the angels that is the quitest I can rember that stadium it is so sweet

@RF i think it’s fun, since he knows he won’t be needed tonight (surely)

alan in sa no disrespect taken just lettting everyone know first time I have seen you here no offense takne

I find CJ very “Romoesque”. Needs to keep his mouth shut and spend his time studying.

Sorry, Ryans Dad. Trust me, they do a lot of things I don’t like either.

COme on #4
I have never seen that before.

Evan, I told you we could get 500 if you got the site loading faster.

No 4 home runs for Andruw tonight. What a disappointing night for him.

“Great start to the day- wheat grass!”
It makes no sense considering it 9:45 out there..maybe the site had a glitch or something.

Or he has an imposter.

so much for andruw’s record night. really wish this guy would start hitting. i kid, i kid. i wish there was a different font for sarcasm

@becca… I prefer to keep the sarcasm inferred so that it simultaneously amuses some people and pisses off each other.

But it’s the simple things for me.

Nice boring end to the game here.
Bring on seattle!

@Jack Daddy
I think I was 12, what year was it we made the playoffs the first year, 96 right?
Yes I was a misguided youth, and I didn’t like the Yankee’s at that time if I remember right. Just Jeter.

Ehren, that was an extra inning game.

@ehren: yes, we blew by 500, but that ended up being extra innings. so we have 2 separate records.

Why is O’Day being used tonight?

I have always been rooting for Andruw because the Rangers need a genuine RH (or SH) power bat between Hamilton and Blalock. Cruz isn’t consistent enough yet.

Not to quibble with what’s been a great game, but couldn’t we save O’Day for a slightly more important situation?

I’m saying this of course without being able to think of a single suitable other option.

@Old Tom
Neither is AJ so far, we will see if he can continue this with an increase in playing time.

@becca – In all seriousness, the community that’s springing up here in Evan’s hood has been so flame free that I’m a little bit amazed.

Fun and civility on the internets! Huzzah!

@WacoGreg- Yeah, but it may be a delayed tweet because in his pre-game interview he said he tweeted about a burrito and that never came up so…I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.

@WacoGreg: Wilson has definitely matured on the mound. Got a column in the notebook on that to write.

@Dylan: O’Day hasn’t pitched much lately and threw only eight pitches last night. The rest of the bullpen was used last night, so O’Day will be down tomorrow with Wilson and Francisco completely rested.

Ehren, just 9 inning and extra innings.
Drug tests are not so bad, we get randomly checked at work all the time.

Heading to post-game show, but this is showing that it would be comment No. 499. We can’t leave it hanging at 499, can we?

Well hot dang, we accomplished the 11 games over .500 mark finally!

Hullo win column. I love that this team is showing some such fight. Bring on the “Post All-Star break decline” haterz!

@WacoGreg – Eff off (I kid…)

@wacogreg – first playoff was 95 (lost to Ms). WS in 96. I lived up there 93-99 while in law school and for the first 3 years i worked.

my first time in Yankee stadium was the no-hitter by the jim abbott (he of the no hand).

@evan: last I checked, it was 503

Good game, Vinny looked great, bat’s very big tonight. Couldn’t have wrote it better myself.
Good hanging with everyone tonight.
Let’s go get us a sweep in Seattle.

Evan, what will I get if I can get you 600 tomorrow?

@Jack Daddy
So we lost to the yanks in 96??
I am confused, off to wikipedia I go.

Maybe it was you that pointed this point, but it’s worth saying again. Since 2001 the team with the best record against the other al west teams, has won the division.

Jack, no, not since we have been useing spot starters like hunter and nippert.
It is hard to get thru 6 with such young guys.

@Jack: no concern yet on my part. well see how millwood does his next start.

Yeah I picked Jones in the 5th to homer, how does that work anyways?

Dylan, but those were the only ones wilky hit while he was here to go with his 200 K’s.

@WacoGreg: The game is based on the first homer hit of the game.

@WacoGreg: Yes, Rangers lost to Yanks in 96. Jack Daddy was talking about the Yankees playoff yrs.

@Waco: we are picking the FIRST Rangers homer. After the first one, nothing else counts in the Pool.

Waco, mench had his moments, wilky had 1 moment.

Well goodnight again everyone, catch you soon.

Good night, John Boy!

@obagain – good point.

wanna here something weird – when i read above that hunter was going tomorrow, I got excited!! that’s a “second” tier prospect (that label may be a bit premature,btw) that’s made 6 starts in career. But i love him!

@Jack: don’t get me wrong. just because we would call them “second-tier” right now doesn’t mean they won’t end up being excellent big-leaguers. Usually prospects are classified because of talent. The things that get most players to the big leagues are the intangibles. Perseverence, focus, work ethic, adaptability, determination, coachability, etc. Also, “second-tier” in our organization is “first-tier” in most of the others. Personally, I love Hunter and I think he’s here to stay. And just look at how much he has improved since last year! That is because of the intangibles, not the talent.