Sing-A-Long With Marla

I wavered between publishing the grouchy rant I’d started the other night and something a little more light hearted – as you can tell by the title – I’m feeling a little more light hearted or should I say light headed today. Let’s enjoy the moment and remember that it’s a long season – anything can happen. My inspiration today is my IPod: “hear” are a few random lyrics that reminded me of a few random baseball thoughts:

“There’s fever in the funk house now” – Tumbling Dice (performed by Linda Ronstadt – written by the Rolling Stones): Describing this weekend’s showdown between the Angels and Rangers

“…now if you’ll buy that, I’ve got some ocean front property in Arizona” – Ocean Front Property (George Strait): Brandon McCarthy – I keep reading about his supposed improvement. Yeah, and he’s the only Rangers starting pitcher who has yet to pitch into the 6th inning, opponents are hitting an almost healthy .269 against (with lefties smacking him around at .315) If you believe that he's actually getting better, then I have a deal for you on a bridge in Brooklyn.

“We skipped the light fandango, turned cartwheels across the floor…” - Whiter Shade of Pale (Procol Harum): No real baseball content, just one of the greatest songs that makes no sense – unless of course you’ve been indulging in a few adult beverages – then it makes perfect sense. NPR had a good story on this song a couple of weeks ago.

“ … on a wing and a prayer. Who could it be? Believe it or not it’s just me.” – Theme From The Greatest American Hero (Joey Scarbury): Frisco C Manuel Pina - another member of the collection of Ranger catching prospects. Started off with a blazing April and is still putting up amazing numbers at Frisco: a .407 BA for the season (hitting .308 for the ten games he’s played in May).

“these [bats] were made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do. One of these days these [bats] are gonna walk all over you” – These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ (with apologies to Nancy Sinatra): Hank Blalock - the spark plug of walk off rallies.

“ but what a good year for the roses” – A Good Year for the Roses – (performed by Elvis Costello – originally performed by George Jones): Again – no baseball content. Elvis made the off hand remark to James Taylor during his interview on “Spectacle” – “why don’t we do a whole show of George Jones songs!” – I say why not? I’d love to hear Elvis sing “He Stopped Loving Her Today”.

“I just want you to know who I am” – Iris (Goo Goo Dolls): Chris Davis - tied for 3rd place in the AL with 10 Home Runs (along with teammate Hank Blalock and Boston’s Jason Bay)

"Don't you forget about me, don't don't don't you forget about me." - Don't You Forget About Me (Simple Minds): Frisco LHP Kasey Kiker - May Stats: W-L: 2-1, IP: 17, BB: 9, K: 21, ERA: 2.12

“I’m free fallin, yeah I’m free fallin” – Free Fallin’ (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers): The Seattle Mariners, a 1-7 road trip will do that to you.

“Maybe someday I'll be strong. Maybe it won't be long. I'll be the one who's tough. You'll be the one who's got it rough. It won't be long and maybe I'll be real strong.” – Too Fast For You (Dwight Yoakum): Elvis Andrus - I never get tired of linking these videos.

"I'm alright. Nobody worry 'bout me.” - I’m Alright (Kenny Loggins) : Kevin Millwood - If only he had some of that run support Brandon McCarthy always seems to get.

“I know where you goin' to, I knew when you came home last night 'cause your eyes had a mist from the smoke of a distant fire” – Smoke From A Distant Fire (Sanford Townsend Band): Frisco DH Justin Smoak - You can stop groaning now. By the way, I don’t sing karaoke, but if I did this is the song I’d sing.

“They think that I’m no good
But I will make myself understood
Cause I believed it all along.
I think I’m gonna love it
I know they won't believe it
When they finally see the saving grace in me”

-- Saving Grace (Todd Rundgren):

Believing since 1979 – Marla Hooch

.