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Welcome Your New InsideCorner Overlords

Hello, Zac Crain here. You may remember me from such Mavericks playoff game live blogs as this one. I’m here today to talk to you about the future of InsideCorner, a scary, post-Evan Grant land filled with basketball, hockey, and Bob Sturm. I’m here today to tell you everything is going to be just fine.

First off, yes, Evan was certainly our star attraction during his six months handling the Rangers beat for us. But, arguably, what has made this blog so strong is you, the community that lives in the comments. We aim to continue that in the coming months as our focus shifts to other sports and other people writing about those other sports. We are hoping you remain our Lost-style constant.

Why should you stick around? For one, Bob Sturm and his big sports brain. You’ve already read and enjoyed his Cowboys coverage, as he breaks down each game like a fraction, before and after. He’s still here, and he’ll continue chiming in on everything from Dallas’ pro teams to UFC to  maybe even the English Premier League (though he follows the wrong team from Liverpool, if you ask me).

Also, we’re just about to embark on the NBA and NHL seasons, and there is plenty to talk about there. Jeff Miller is in the crease for Stars coverage, and Eric Celeste and I will be the glue guys keeping you up on the Mavs’ end. What to expect: week-by-week previews, live blogs for big games, and plenty of game books. Among other things — top-secret, ineffably awesome things, that we are currently working hard to make happen for you.

Plus, we will have some new players joining the roster in the coming weeks. They’re not going to replicate what Evan did, and we’re not asking them to. They’ll be conversation starters, ready to mix it up in the comments with you guys. Hopefully, it’ll be like watching games with friends, if one of your friends has a dashing salt-and-pepper beard and is fond of yelling “I see you big German!”

More as events warrant. And never forget: I loved you, even when no one else did.

Reminder: Rusty Greer, Mike Bascik, Fajitas, ‘Ritas And Rangers-Indians Tonight At Pappasitos

If you didn’t check the blog yesterday, you missed our announcement about a quickly-organized Rangers watching event at Pappasitos in Dallas (on Lombardy Lane near I-35E and Northwest Highway) this evening from 5:30 until whenever. I’ll be there, but you knew that. Rusty Greer and Ticket host/former Rangers reliever Mike Bascik will be there. As will former Rangers Rich Hand and Ken Suarez. Fajitas for two are HALF PRICE! We’ll have the Rangers-Indians game on. I’ll be live blogging (so you can see how much blood, sweat and tears goes into this). If a waiter knocks a tray over, I expect Rusty will make a diving catch to save the guacamole.

So, hope you can make it. And if you can or think you can, please let me know here or via email because, you know, I just want to plan for it.

Hope you can make it.

What A Night: Watch Rangers With Rusty Greer, Question Mike Bascik, Eat Nachos, Sip Margaritas

Sorry for the last minute notice, but since I don’t do Cleveland (don’t ask), I thought it would be most excellent to get together with some of my closest Cornerian friends for a little watching of the Rangers-Cleveland Indians game. And just like that, some folks made it happen. Here’s the plan: I’m going to be at Pappasitos in Dallas (On Lombardy Lane, Near I35-E and Northwest Highway) for Wednesday’s Rangers-Indians game. First pitch is at 6:05 p.m., but I’ll dipping into the salsa, queso and guacamole around 5:30.

Pappasitos has a 64-inch big screen TV with sound in an air-conditioned room for us to watch the game – and you can even watch the hard work that goes into The Depot every night live. At about 7, this guy I know named Thurman Clyde Greer – I call him Rusty – is going to show up. Other former Rangers such as Ticket producer/host Mike Bacsik, and 1970s-era guys Ken Suarez and Rich Hand will also stop by over the course of the game. And you never know, another guy or two might pop in.

Also, Pappasitos has Half-Price Fajitas for Two from 5 p.m. to close on Wednesday. So, bring a date or a pal or, if you are like me, just eat for two. Think about it: You can watch the Rangers, eat cheap, meet Rusty Greer and hang out with me. Well, three out of four ain’t bad. Hope to see you on Wednesday. If you can, either let me know here if you plan to attend or email me if you are a little bit shy about the whole comment thing.

Inside Corner Night Is Tonight At Rangers Ballpark; Good – No, Great – Seats Still Available!

Yes, tonight is the big night. Rangers-Red Sox. Inside Corneans galore. All You Can Eat Food. What more could you ask for?

Right now, it appears as if we are just shy of 100 tickets sold for the blessed, big event. But there is still time to cross the century mark and let the Rangers know just how big and loud the Corner can be. Also, if you are in attendance, you might just hear about a special oppotunity I’ve got for you for the night of August 10th when the Rangers are off but Double-A Frisco is playing.

There are still seats available in sections 247 and 248 for tonight. I’ll probably get out to the Home Run Porch between 6-6:30. I’ll be bringing my appetite along with me and you know how big that is. If you haven’t bought tickets, all you need to do is go here and then use “inside” as the promotion code. Tickets are $25. Now, I’m told because this is an internet special, there won’t be walk-up seats available. I suppose if you don’t want to buy internet tickets, you could always pay the regular price of $39 and ask for seats in section 247 or 248, but why pay more? You can buy online until an hour before the game and print the tix at home.

There is no real agenda set. Jeff Miller will be manning the depot tonight so if you can’t make the game or if you’ve got your phone with you, there will still be place to make your voice heard. If I come up with a trick or two before the game, I’ll be sure and pass it along. Look forward to seeing you.

Big Pappas Tuesday: The Rundown For A Hot Night In Arlington

OK, folks: Here’s what we’ve got lined up for you tonight from 5-8 at Pappasito’s in Arlington. I mean this is all in addition to the good food, great prices and exceptional companionship we’d offer any night of the week. I’ll be on with BaD Radio, which is filling in for the Hardline, at 3:50 this afternoon to discuss Rangers Baseball and Pappasito’s. In case, you didn’t know that show is on little Ticket.

• Addresses to the crowd (please, please be a crowd) from GM Jon Daniels and manager Ron Washington at about 6:3o ish.
• Appearances/autograph signings by Kevin Millwood, David Murphy, Eddie Guardado and Tommy Hunter.
• Home Run Derby for kids and adults featuring the great Chuck Morgan announcing your name over the microphone and with real prizes, too. We’ve got an Ian Kinsler jersey, a Rusty Greer autographed ball among the highlights. Prizes handed out to kids. Adults, you know you’ve always wanted to get in the kids whiffle ball park at Rangers Ballpark, so giving you this opportunity ought to be prize enough. Derby should run from about 5-6.
• Celebrity pitchers for Home Run Derby include former Rangers Jeff Russell and Curtis Wilkerson. I will be tossing, too, until I pass out from heat exhaustion or my arm falls off.
• On-site raffle prize of four tickets to InsideCorner Night at the Ballpark next Tuesday against Boston. Second prize: Eight tickets. (kidding). But, if you haven’t bought tickets yet for our night of fun in Arlington, they are $25 and you can order them online using the password INSIDE. The tickets are in the All You Can Eat section of the Home Run Porch. Ticket reps will also be on site should you choose to purchase tickets there.
• A chance to purchase the Rangers cookbook, register for the Charity Golf Tournament and find out more information about the good work the Texas Rangers Foundation does.
• Special appearance by birthday girl “Becca.”

Afternoon Announcements, Questions

First, a question: Do you want a Depot for tonight? Are enough people going to watch the game and want to comment on it for us to Depot live? If you want it, convince me. And be prepared for occasional grumpiness regarding the broadcast.

Now on to daily duties:

We’ve got another commitment for the Pennant Race Pep Rally at Pappasito’s in Arlington on Thursday afternoon. David Murphy, the hottest hitter in the Rangers lineup over the last six weeks, will be joining us from 6:30-7:30. I’m still crossing my fingers over one last mystery guest, but for now the final lineup is: Murphy, Kevin Millwood, Tommy Hunter and Eddie Guardado will represent the players. Ron Washington and Jon Daniels will represent management. It is also Becca’s birthday, so she will represent herself.

Home Run Derby for the kiddos – with an Ian Kinsler jersey as a prize – and possibly adults (time permitting) kicks off at 5 p.m. The great Chuck Morgan will announce. I will hurl … whiffleballs (at least for a while). And we will party right up until the break of 8 p.m.

There is still time to sign up for your free appetizer (with the purchase of a beverage) simply by dropping me a line here.

Ticket agents will be standing by in case you haven’t purchased your InsideCorner night seats for July 21 against Boston. They are $25 for the all you can eat seats. No, the seats are not edible. You can eat all you want from a wide array of gourmet treats that include hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, popcorn and other really healthy foods. It’s worth the price of admission just to see what kind of damage I can do.

Finally, here’s a reason NOT to set your alarm tomorrow morning unless you want to be serenaded by the shrill sound of my voice. But I will be joining my pal, Norm Hitzges, to talk about SPORTS! Well, to talk about baseball at 7:55 a.m., but if Norm wants to discuss Tony Romo’s potential next celebrity girlfriend, hey, I’m up for that, too.

Pappasitos Update And FREE STUFF

For those who missed it in last night’s live blog, we have our first two player commitments for next Thursday’s Pennant Race Pep Rally at Pappasito’s in Arlington. The AL All-Star Team’s loss is your gain as Kevin Millwood will join us from approximately 6:30-7:30 to sign autographs and mingle. He will be joined by one of the all-time most entertaining and professional teammates I’ve ever been around, Eddie Guardado. We’re expecting one or two more additions.

Manager Ron Washington and GM Jon Daniels will both address the masses – and please, we really would like to see masses out there – around 6:30 (a lot is dependent on just how quickly the Rangers wrap up their post-All-Star break workout, so it could be anywhere from 6:15 to 6:30).

Also, we’re hoping to have a couple of former Rangers act as celebrity whiffle ball hurlers for our kids home run derby. And maybe if enough adults want to get in on the action and we’ve got time, we’ll let you take a few hacks, too. I know Mike Simms, member of the 1998 AL West championship team will be there. I’m still fishing for guys. If you’ve ever wanted to hear your name called by the great Chuck Morgan, who will emcee the derby, now is the chance. Oh, and I believe the kid’s winner will take home a full-on Ian Kinsler jersey.

And because Pappasito’s and myself are in such a giving mood. If you email me that you are going to attend the event, I’ll make sure you can get a free appetizer at the event (with the purchase of any type of beverage). Let’s limit this to the first 50 emails I get, providing I get 50 of them.

Announcements, Proclamations, Promotions And FREE STUFF!

Bumping this back to the top in case it got lost in the morning shuffle. But I can’t believe nobody wants free stuff.

Thanks to our fine friends at Dr Pepper, we’ve got even more free stuff to hand out. And, if you get a chance, drop by the Dr Pepper Facebook Page and make new friends. To win a hat/t-shirt combo and a coupon for some free Dr Pepper product, here’s all you have to do.

• Pick the club’s record for the final week of the first half of the season.
• 1st tie-breaker: The Rangers total runs scored for the week.
• 2ne tie-breaker: Total runs allowed by the Rangers for the week.

Now on to some other equally important announcements, repeating from late last week when many of you may have already checked out for July 4 weekend:

First, for our next get together, we’re putting together a little party, er, fiesta we are calling a “Pennant Race Pep Rally” at Pappasito’s in Arlington in advance of the second half of the season. All plans are still being finalized, but the current plan is for a get together on Thursday, July 16 at Pappasito’s Cantina in Arlington. We’ll be there from 5 p.m. until who knows when. GM Jon Daniels and Ron Washington are tentatively planning to join the crowd and address what’s ahead for the Rangers. We will have a whiffle ball home run derby for the kids – emceed by none other than the great Chuck Morgan – early in the festivities. The lineup of players who will share some fajitas with us is still being ironed out. But make plans to join us. We hope to bring together the spirit of Cinco de Mayo and Pennant Race Fever.

Second, and we’re sooper-dooper excited about this: You asked for the opportuntiy to get together at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Well, we’re making it happen. And for a premium game, no less. Join us on Tuesday July 21 when the Rangers face the Boston Red Sox. As expected, I’ve requested the All You Can Eat Seats in the Home Run Porch. The Rangers have made tickets prices extremely affordable: $25 apiece and the food will be abundant. The Rangers have even put together a link for you to buy tickets directly. Password: inside. We’ll have more festivities, including possible Q&A sessions, available for you at the game, but those are all still being put together. Join me as I try to do my best Joey Chestnutt impersonation.  Even if you want nothing to do with me, the tickets are a good price and it should be a great matchup

Announcements, Announcements!

A couple of announcements – announcements about which we are very excited – for you before you head off on your Fourth of July extended weekend:

First, for our next get together, we’re putting together a little party, er, fiesta we are calling a “Pennant Race Pep Rally” at Pappasitos in Arlington in advance of the second half of the season. All plans are still being finalized, but the current plan is for a get together on Thursday, July 16 at Pappasitos Cantina in Arlington. We’ll be there from 5 p.m. until who knows when. GM Jon Daniels and Ron Washington are tentatively planning to join the crowd and address what’s ahead for the Rangers. We will have a whiffle ball home run derby for the kids – emceed by none other than the great Chuck Morgan – early in the festivities. The lineup of players who will share some fajitas with us is still being ironed out. But make plans to join us. We hope to bring together the spirit of Cinco de Mayo and Pennant Race Fever.

Second, and we’re sooper-dooper excited about this: You asked for the opportuntiy to get together at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Well, we’re making it happen. And for a premium game, no less. Join us on Tuesday July 21 when the Rangers face the Boston Red Sox. As expected, I’ve requested the All You Can Eat Seats in the Home Run Porch. The Rangers have made tickets prices extremely affordable: $25 apiece and the food will be abundant. The Rangers have even put together a link for you to buy tickets directly. Password: inside. We’ll have more festivities, including possible Q&A sessions, available for you at the game, but those are all still being put together. Join me as I try to eat a whole cow’s worth of hamburgers. Even if you want nothing to do with me, the tickets are a good price and it should be a great matchup

A Small Step For InsideCorner, A Giant Leap For Blogging

I really don’t have anything to say at this very moment, except that I’m blogging from 32,000 feet – legally – on an American Airlines flight to Phoenix. I may never, ever have to be away from my computer again. Oh, happy day.

Oh, yes, I’m headed to see Rangers-D’backs. We’ll be bringing you all the action (so to speak) tonight as the Rangers try to break their four-game losing streak.

More Talkin’ Texas Rangers: MJH On Rangers Podcast; Lubbock I’m Coming At You

The Mighty MJH was Ted Price’s guest on the Rangers Podcast in Arlington along with the Grandaddy of Rangers bloggers, Jamey Newberg, and the great uncle of Rangers bloggers, Adam Morris, last night. They talked about the draft and the slumping lineup.

Me? I’m kind of the illegitimate child of Rangers bloggers, but I’m going to be on Tech Talk in Lubbock this a.m. at 11:35 if we manage to get all our connections straight. Tech Talk is not about Technology, thankfully. And it’s usually about Texas Tech, but I think Chris Level is going to make some time to talk Rangers baseball.

Talkin’ Texas Rangers With Norm Hitzges, Mike Bascik

We’ll talk trades and I know Norm will have a couple of interesting names to throw out there and I think the great Bascik will have some other stats on Ian Kinsler. Anyway, the guys apparently read what we wrote about yesterday and so we’ll further our discussion in another media forum at 11:10 on 1310-AM The Ticket. You can listen live at your desk even by just clicking the link and downloading the audio player.

You Can’t Have An AL West Showdown Without A Showdown Radio Preview

The Hardline wants to get a little hyped up about the big AL West showdown. So, if you want to pull your baseball pants on about an hour before the first pitch tonight, I’ll be visiting with the boys from KTCK-1310 AM, The Ticket, at about 5:50-5:55 this evening. Consider it the pre-game show to The Depot.

“Home Run Happy Hour” At Pappadeaux Is A Grand Slam

Fans lined up for autographs. (Photo by R.P. Washburne)

What if you threw a happy hour party and everybody came? Last night Evan pulled off a great show over at Pappadeaux on Oak Lawn—over 350 folks turned up to meet and greet Michael Young, Ian Kinsler, Marlon Byrd, Scott Feldman, Taylor Teagarden, and Chris Davis. Long-time Rangers radio guy Eric Nadel stopped in for a surprise visit. InsideCorner’s ace photographer R.P. Washburne was there and sends a few pictures. You might as well jump.

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Monday Morning Announcements: Let’s Get Happy!

DISCLAIMER: If you are here for the information and analysis and get weary of self promotion, I must apologize for the following post. It is about our happy hour event at Pappadeaux’s in Dallas this evening and it’s part of trying to create a complete community for Rangers fans to feel engaged and welcomed. So, with that in mind. …

Technically, the Rangers are off today, except for the half-dozen who will be working the room at Pappadeaux in Dallas (3520 Oak Lawn) from 5:30  to 7:30.  This will serve as your final reminder of our event, which we’ve dubbed a “Home Run Happy Hour.” And it’s actually two – Two! – happy hours. Michael Young, Ian Kinsler and Marlon Byrd are scheduled to headline our little party. Scott Feldman has agreed to represent the pitching staff, which is due some applause after a huge turnaround since the first two weeks of the seasoan. Taylor Teagarden and Chris Davis will stop by, as well. And we may have another guest or two.

There is no real format for tonight. It was designed to be an opportunity for you to meet and mingle with the players and ask them your own questions in a low-key environment. That was the design. That was before the Rangers went out and stole away first place by going 5-2 on the road trip. It was also designed as a chance for you to meet the folks behind InsideCorner and the folks who have come to very quickly make this a great little baseball community. There is no admission to the event. We are simply hoping folks will stop by, have a beverage or an appetizer (or two) and maybe stick around to have dinner afterward. The format will consist of a couple of periodic short Q&As that I’ll conduct with the players, but in the perfect world, you’ll get to ask the questions you want on your own face-to-face. We’re not discouraging autograph requests, but we will try to limit them to one per player.

That said, I’ve been so tickled with the number of folks who have said they would be showing up, but we’re still trying to get a handle on what kind of party we’ve got on our hands. A number of people sent in informal RSVP’s when I touted this event last week. If you’ve done that already, great. If you havent and are thinking you might be showing up tonight, it would be great for us to know how big you expect  your party to be. All you’ve got to do in the comment section here is let us know how big your party might be. And if you think there is something you’d like me to ask the players in the Q&A, send it along as well. If you think you might want to have dinner after the event and talk some more baseball with me, the RSVP section would be a great place to let me know what size our group party will be.

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NCAA Tourney: Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

Yet Another Multi-Media Alert: Talkin’ Baseball With Bob Sturm And Dan McDowell

If you are in the car, stuck in traffic on the way to Arlington, I’ll be on with the BaD boys at 12:10 on The Ticket (KTCK-1310 AM). You could also listen while you are in the parking lot or on your little transistor radio. And, if you are stuck at work, well, I’m sorry. But you could always hook up on the computer.

Multi-Media Alert: Adjust Your TVs

If you are watching the game at home on Fox Sports Southwest, there will be a large blue blob invading your screen in the top of the fourth inning. That would be me. Announcement of major importance (at least to my parents) should be forthcoming during my air time.

UPDATE: In case you missed the semi-large announcement (well, I guess any announcement involving me is large), I’ve joined the Fox Sports Southwest team and will be a pre- and post-game analyst for about 15 games this season on Rangers Live.

When Evan Met Molly: The Sonic Chick Talks Baseball

Breaking News: Pretty Girls Dig Dr Pepper And We Dig Those Who Dig Dr Pepper (And Pretty Girls)

The gallery for our SportsSnaps Promotion, sponsored by Dr Pepper, is now up and running. Feel free to thumb through and see if you spot any of your friends/family/co-workers/exes on there enjoying two things that go great together: Dr Pepper and Sports. Better yet, add your own photo to the collection and be registered to win a chance to bring your family along to hang out with me at a game. It will be fun. I promise.

The steps are simple: 1) Get a Dr Pepper; 2) Attend any kind of sporting event (we are very lenient judges of what constitutes a sporting event); 3) Sip your Dr Pepper and smile (trust us, it comes naturally); 4) Have somebody take a picture of that Pepper induced smile and 5) Upload it right here (or simply click on the picture of our own Kyle Kearbey obviously enjoying the Doc). And feel free to repeat those steps as often as possible. We’ve got the Chicago politics approach here. Participate early and often.

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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New Video: Sportswriter (Me), Lawyer (Jamey Newberg) Argue Texas Rangers Baseball

The latest edition of make believe TV (link hopefully fixed, let me know if its still not working) starring me is now available on You Tube. In it, award-winning director Ted Price has Newberg Report founding father Jamey Newberg spent a little time at spring training debating the issues concerning Rangers baseball.

The guy is a  lawyer and made lik a  1600 on the SAT (old scoring system) and I’m sportswriter. Who do you think won?

The Very Tricky “First Post”

First, I realize I am moving in to your apartment building here at this new blog, so I will try not to get too carried away with my normal dogmatic ways in the early going. Then again, I am sure I will go back to being me at any second.

Some of you might listen to Sportsradio 1310 the Ticket and might be familiar with my particular program (BaD Radio), and if so, you already know that I am ready to debate anything and everything under the sports sun. I also will spend a good amount of time trying to win those debates (because what fun is a debate if you lose?)

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Another InsideCorner Amenity: Free Ticket; Bob Sturm Joins Bald Bevy Of Beat Bloggers

This week, the Rangers will try to sign OF Josh Hamilton to a multi-year extension to keep the power in the middle of  their lineup for years to come. Guess they are just following the lead of your little Corner of the world. We just inked our own cleanup hitter to provide big-ticket analysis, heavy-hitting thoughts and clutch sports talk.

Welcome to the club, Bob Sturm.

BULLETIN: Excuse us for the bloggus interruptus, but I’ll be joining Bob and the BaDD Radio boys (the Double “Ds” are for Dan McDowell and Donnie-Doo. Maybe someday we can enhance that to Triple “Ds” with, you know, the third D, standing for D Magazine). And now back to our announcement. (more…)

Today: Evan Grant-Tim Cowlishaw Death Match!

We’ll be taking a short break from our administrative duties in aabout 90 minutes away.  With the super friendly Ben & Skin and engineer extraordinaire Ted Nichols-Payne serving as our special referees on 105.3-KRLD FM “The Fan,” I’ll be squaring off against my nemesis – Hellooooo, Cowlishaw – at 5:56 p.m. (CDT). Two men put on headsets; one man walks out.

If you’ve got baseball-related topics you’d like me to hear about, now is the time to start sending in suggestions. I do plan to ask Tim if he’s going to be doing any photo shoots with Details Magazine anytime soon. Or maybe about who wrote his Wikipedia page. But not Radiohead.