Viral Video: Rangers Starter Tommy Hunter

Tommy Hunter makes his second appearance on Viral Video this week, but his first one was as a member of the Frisco RoughRiders. Besides talking about the changes he’s made since his last big league stint, Hunter also reminds me that I owe him lunch. I thought maybe the great Ted Price would have edited that out. We’ve got more on Hunter coming up in the next few days, too. And we shot a bunch of great video yesterday, so look for upcoming interviews with Nolan Ryan, Ron Washington, Nelson Cruz and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Ask Sports Sturm: Pujols The Great

Ronald sent me this week’s project – which I referenced on the air yesterday, but now you have it in print. This is a pretty good one. Check this out:

SportsSturm-

Maybe you can help me with this. Albert Pujols has pretty much wrapped up the “best hitter of the decade”. It looks like he will win the decade triple crown for the National League. Has any other player ever done that? That guy is too good.

And yes, I am a die hard Cardinals fan.

Thanks.

Ronald

The decade triple crown? (more…)

Deal Or No Deal?

We’re a week shy of the trade deadline and once again we in the media (Evan, Jeff and Bob) and quasi-media (that would be me) are obligated to speculate about trade scenarios that won’t happen. I’ve come to hate doing this every year, but it’s part of the job. Stir up trade speculation. Weigh in on what the ballclub should do. And do all of this with a mere sliver of information as to what is actually possible and what isn’t.

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Elvis’ Bunt Leaves Red Sox All Shook Up

• Miller: Lots of unusual moments add up to unusual sweep
• Ron Washington: “Can’t imagine a team playing three better games.”

ARLINGTON - The highlight-worthy defense isn’t the first thing Rangers manager Ron Washington usually cites when praisinEg rookie SS Elvis Andrus.

It’s his ability to learn from mistakes and not repeat them.

The biggest offensive moment in Wednesday’s 3-1 sweep-clinching win over Boston was an action-packed example. In a one-run game, Andrus squared around and dropped a perfect squeeze bunt into the vortex between the pitchers mound and first base. Fluish David Murphy, who broke from third on the pitch, scored the third run of the game and Andrus reached first, leaving the normally sound Red Sox looking sloppy and exhilirating the crowd of 39,778 at Rangers Ballpark. For the rest of the evening, the rather substantial number of Red Sox fans in attendance were never heard from again. For that matter, neither were the Red Sox.

Such is the power of a well-executed fundamental play in a tense, tight game.

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Texas Rangers’ 3-1 Win Over Boston Red Sox On Wednesday Night Sure Felt Like Freaky Friday

ARLINGTON - Maybe the prospect of the Rangers sweeping Boston for the first time in five years and wrapping up a season series against the Red Sox before the Cowboys hit camp resulted in a night that bordered on the paranormal.

No starter available? No closer available? So many players sick that C.J. Wilson wore a bandana in the clubhouse like a virus mask? The Rangers still won 3-1 at Rangers Ballpark to run their winning streak to four games.

After the jump, closer inspection of some of the more curious events that occurred on Wednesday night:

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Road To Arlington: Rangers Farm Report (7/23)

Miguel De Los Santos (photo by Jason Cole)

Two innings for Miggy De Los Santos yesterday in the DSL Rangers-2 victory over the DSL Braves. No hits, three strikeouts.

The 21 year old southpaw is up to 55 K’s in 24.2 innings of work, during which he’s allowed three hits.

He’s pitching way below his level, of course, but numbers like those are fun to throw around nonetheless. Coming off of Tommy John surgery that cut short his debut in 2007, Miggy averaged 14.2 strikeouts per nine for the AZL Rangers in 2008, his second pro season. He was denied entry into the United States this year due to technical issues with his immigration paperwork. De Los Santos wields a plus-plus curve, a 90ish sinking fastball and a developing change.

You can click here to read an interview that Baseball Time in Arlington’s Jason Parks did with the Migster last fall during instructional league play.

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