Girls Don't Know Anything About Baseball

Testing 123

2011-09-03T14:46:00.000-05:00

Is this Thing still working? If it is, then watch this space- I'm going to start writing again.

February 16, 2011: New Year's (Season) Day

2011-02-16T09:27:00.000-06:00

Well, beat the drum and hold the phone - the sun came out today!
We're born again, there's new grass on the field." -- John Fogerty

Happy Pitchers and Catchers Day everyone!

Look at me I could be Centerfield -- Marla Hooch
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Like It Or Not....

2011-02-08T08:13:00.001-06:00

In order to sign and keep free agents you have to overpay them and keep them longer than the stat heads at BP and BBTIA pronounce is necessary. Like it or not: that’s the way it works.

If you treat players like baseball cards, as seems to be the mentality of the loudest shrieks we are reading on the ‘net today, instead of human beings – your team significantly decreases their opportunities to sign (or keep potential) free agents. Like it or not: that’s the way it works.

With the precedent the Rangers are setting with Michael Young, then they might as well change their name to the Arlington A’s since they are adopting the same mentality of the Oakland A’s – (watch out Adrian Beltre, Josh Hamilton, and CJ). Except that the Rangers farm system just isn’t that strong anymore, and their track record of developing starting pitching is spotty - on a good day- and average to poor most of the time. Like it or not: that's the way it looks like the Rangers are headed.

What should have been an off-season and Spring Training basking in the glory of 2010 has turned in a mess and revealed the Rangers to be stuck in the same treadmill of stupidity and futility I thought they’d abandoned. Like it or not: that’s the way it is.

Like or not: you've pretty much lost me this time JD and Nolan -- Marla Hooch

First Blog Entry Of The New Year

2011-01-02T09:25:00.000-06:00

Trust me, any other year a free agent pitcher signing with another team, and a trade not involving the Rangers is not a big story.

The thought that keeps popping up in my mind is: this is (basically) the same team the Rangers started out with last season and were already winning the division when they acquired Cliff Lee. That's a pretty good team already in place (although I'm one of those who is not in favor of bringing back Vlad). Are the other teams in the AL West better? Well, the verdict is out on the Angels (if they get Beltre - maybe). The Mariners aren't, the A's - that's the team I worry about the most - their pitching is very good, their offense has been the question - is Matsui going to be a difference maker?

It's the last day of the Holiday Season in my book, the "Boring Season" (that long stretch before Spring Training starts) begins tomorrow - there will be plenty of time to ruminate about the 2011 season, that's something I plan on doing.

But for now, I have that same feeling I did in grade school on that last day of Christmas vacation - I've got to make the most of it - because the real world I live in 330 days out of the year rises with the sun tomorrow morning.

Happy New Year to all - and let's start worrying about the Rangers....tomorrow -- Marla Hooch

To All My Baseball Friends....

2010-12-19T10:40:00.001-06:00

May Peace and Plenty be the first to lift the latch on your door.

And Happiness be guided to your home

By the candle of Christmas

-- an Irish Christmas toast

-- Marla Hooch

In The Words of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards....

2010-12-14T07:42:00.005-06:00

"You can't always get what you want

But sometimes you find

You get what you need"

Good luck in Philly Cliff, thanks for taking the Rangers to Series and so glad you didn't sign with the Yankees.

Now it's time to move on.

I hope Plan B is better than Garza or Greinke - definitely not interested in Matt Garza and not so much in Zach Grienke either.

-- Marla Hooch

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T08:30:00.000-06:00

Thanks to my small but loyal audience for reading this blog, thanks to my baseball friends who make my day every day, thanks to my family for... everything and thanks to the Rangers for the best year of my baseball life.

-- Marla Hooch

P.S. I'll be back in December (which is only few days away) with more baseball ramblings. Meanwhile - here is one of my favorite Thanksgiving memories:

Game 5: There's No Crying In Baseball

2010-11-01T21:46:00.001-05:00

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This has been the most incredible, wonderful, thrilling and fufilling season in my baseball life.

I will not complain.

Thank You Rangers -- Marla Hooch

Game 4: There Is Always Tomorrow

2010-11-01T08:02:00.001-05:00

Yes, last night was disappointing, but....

It's November 1st and there is one more home game in Arlington left in this marvelous season - and I will be there.

In case you haven't seen it - Chuck Greenberg sent this message to several fan sites including Jamey Newberg's - if this doesn't get you Ranger Fan Heart Beating - nothing will:

"This season has transcended expectations and transformed the psyche and hearts of legions of Rangers fans across Texas and throughout our country and beyond. At the core of the remarkable journey we have shared together is a ballclub and a community who collectively have consigned the conventional wisdom of the past to the dust bins of history, busting myths and charting a new course previously thought to be unattainable.

Can't pitch successfully in Rangers Ballpark. Wrong.

Can't compete successfully late in the season because the heat will break you down. Wrong.

Fans will lose interest when training camp opens. Wrong.

Fans won't come to Rangers Ballpark after the All Star break because its too hot. Wrong.

Rangers can't win a playoff series. Wrong.

Rangers can't win a playoff game at home. Wrong.

Rangers can't beat the Yankees in the playoffs. Wrong.

Rangers can't get to the World Series. Wrong.

Rangers can't captivate the hearts and emotions of fans new and old deep into the fall. Wrong.

And on and on and on....

I can't even begin to count the memorable moments we have shared this year thanks to a very special group of players with hearts and smiles as big as Texas, who always pull together, stand up for one another, and who have changed the sports landscape here in the Metroplex forever.
But here is a simple reality. Monday will be the last game played in Rangers Ballpark this year. We all owe it to ourselves, our players and each other, to celebrate with passion, enthusiasm and indefatigable belief from lineup cards to the final out, loud and proud.

The defining team of my young life was the 1979, "We are Family" Pittsburgh Pirates. I have often remarked how much this Rangers club reminds me of that team, with a confident but friendly swagger and an abundance of character and personality.
Now these two teams have something else in common. Both fell behind 3-1 in the World Series. Kent Tekulve, the great closer from the '79 Pirates, texted me after tonight's game to pass along this story. Before Game 5, Willie Stargell told his teammates:

'We are playing in front of the whole world. We may not win this thing, but before we go, let's show the world how the Pirates really play baseball'.

The Pirates, playing against a team whose colors were black and orange, won Game 5. Then they returned to Baltimore and won Game 6. Then they won Game 7.

I know our players will show everyone how the Rangers play baseball tomorrow. As fans, let's do the same. We have one final opportunity this season to show the world what we have accomplished together and the passion we all hold for our players and our shared dreams.

The World Series is going back to San Francisco. And then there will be one final piece of conventional wisdom to prove wrong....
Believe.

-- Chuck"

Go Rangers! -- Marla Hooch

Game 3: Oh What A Night

2010-10-31T11:58:00.000-05:00

Yes, I went to Game 3 in Arlington.

You want a game story? Then read this one by TR Sullivan because it's better than anything I could ever dream about writing.

If I tried to describe everything I saw, heard and felt yesterday - this blog would be long and so incomprehensible - you'd call a pyschologist to check me out (calling Dr. Brad!)

Here are a few impressions:

Our seats were terrific, Section 33, Row 27 directly behind the Rangers dugout. Thank you again to the Sullivans!

Seeing Pudge catch the first pitch - and according to what I've read - he asked the Rangers if he could come to the game - makes me feel that no matter what uniform he wears - he is still ours.

The next time I have to go into battle - I'm taking Colby Lewis with me - as good as Cliff Lee is - I'm of the opinion that Colby (and Nelson Cruz) have carried the Rangers on their shoulders this off-season.

Cody Ross is beginning to annoy me more than Aaron Boone ever did.

Speaking of annoyed - if there was one thing that was a bit of a downer - the famous North Dallas "cocaine and boob job" set was out in full force for this game. (For those who don't understand that reference - it's the see and be seen crowd of front runners from Dallas - who only show up for events because that's "the place to be at the moment - they aren't there in July watchng the Mariners/Rangers game in 100 degree heat). Anyway, they were sitting right in front us: they spent the entire game: drinking, taking picures of eachother, talking on the phone, the girls were shrieking (one of the saw Ian Kinsler on second and started cheering because she thought he was going to steal 2nd - I'm not kidding) they clapped and cheered when they bought popcorn. I wondered why someone would spend that much money on tickets and not even pay attention? I felt sorry for the really faithful Ranger fans who couldn't afford tickets or coudln't get tickets while these idiots were the ones at the game.

However, there were plenty of Ranger faithful - Eric Nadel was standing in the aisle next to our section with his family, and everyone who passed by him hugged him or shook his hand (as I did too). After calling 30 years of (mostly) bad baseball - he's got to be one of the happiest guys in the ballpark. I visited with Jamey and Ginger Newberg, tailgated with Devin and Marty before the game, saw Sister Frances and Sister Maggie (who knew when I saw them in March at Spring Training that the next time we'd see eachother was in October at a playoff game!)

I did take a few pictures, they are mainly from the pre-game - I was too involved take pictures during the game. Here's the link (or you can access them through the photo album link on the left).

Finally: I am ready for Tommy "Big Game" Hunter tonight - and yes I am going!

This is a baseball dream come true! -- Marla Hooch
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I Am I Said

2010-10-29T10:45:00.000-05:00

I am not a Yankees fan. I don’t walk around with that arrogant notion that I expect my team in the post-season every year and that on field celebrations are blasé.

I am not a Mets fan, although I can sympathize with the fact that they live in the shadow of a more storied franchise that will always steal the Mets thunder no matter what.

I am not a Mariners, Royals, Pirates, Diamondbacks, Orioles or Nationals fan whose seasons were over before the end of June (although I’ve been there before).

I am not a whiny Cubs or Red Sox fan.

I am not a Phillies, Reds, Braves, Twins, or Rays fans still aching from the season that ended just a few days ago.

I am a Texas Rangers fan.

I’ve been through the dark days of Doug Rader and Lee Mazzilli and all of the 1980’s Texas teams. I’ve ridden the roller coaster of the 1990’s teams with the new stadium and the first taste of post-season. I’ve slogged through the dregs of the 2000’s team of Chan Ho, Tom Hicks, and those 3rd and 4th places finishes from 2000-2007.

I am a Texas Rangers fan, and I am not giving up now.

I never thought the Rangers would make the World Series during my lifetime.
I still can’t believe it every time I see Nelson, Michael, CJ, Josh and everyone else on the Fox broadcast – I keep wondering if I’m just watching another game of the week, until I look at the date on the calendar and realize that it’s late October.

I am not going to moan and groan about the first two WS games. I am disappointed, but then I realize there are 13 other AL teams who would gladly change places with 0-2 Rangers today.

There are two more World Series games to be played in Arlington, Texas this weekend and I plan on enjoying every minute of them.

The late Arthur Ashe said: “Success is a journey, not at destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.”

As I wrote last night – there is nothing that can ruin this amazing season for me.

I am a Texas Rangers fan -- Marla Hooch

(P.S. However, it would be nice if they could win at least one game in this World Series)
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Game 2: It's Okay

2010-10-28T21:29:00.003-05:00

The Rangers are going to lose the World Series, of this I have no doubt anymore.

But I’m not as depressed, disappointed, disillusioned (or whatever down trodden adjective you want to use) as most die hard Ranger faithful.

I have my reasons:

First of all, the baseball gods have always had it in for the Rangers and their fans. This franchise is cursed. Much like the Greek Myth of Sisyphus, they enjoy making our team work exceptionally hard trying reach their goal and just when it’s in their grasp-well you know what happens - the curse remains - but let's hope it doesn't last as long the Cubs or the Red Sox curses.

But more importantly: there is nothing, and I mean nothing, including losing in the World Series that is going tarnish the glory of this amazing Rangers season. From the day that Khalil Green decided he couldn’t come to Spring Training until that last out of the playoffs is squeezed in some Giant’s fielder’s glove (maybe as early as Sunday night) – this season is like no other I’ve experienced in my lifetime. I’ve loved every wonderful/painful minute of it, and I will hate to see it end no matter what the outcome.

You win some, you lose some... but it's still Ranger baseball and I love it. -- Marla Hooch
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Game 1: That's The Way Baseball Go

2010-10-27T23:01:00.001-05:00

After Uribe's long at bat - you just felt the momentum shift away from the Rangers. Even though Juan struck out - you could feel the Giants saying to themselves: Hey! We can get to Cliff Lee! after that it all fell apart.

It's the baseball gods way of reminding us: it's still just the Texas Rangers - don't ever buy into the optimism. -- Marla Hooch

Before We Begin....

2010-10-27T14:05:00.001-05:00

Is anyone else's day just dragging by as slowly as mine is?

I know the Rangers are the New England Patriots.

In Boston, even though the Patriots won the Super Bowl, the local New England sports fan reaction was – well that’s nice – when does Spring Training start?

It was easy for me to figure that out judging by the local media coverage and fan reaction to a 1-5 football team yesterday while the Rangers are on verge of their first World Series game.

I can live with that.

There will never be another moment in time like this one, and I’m living in the moment. First playoff series victory, first AL Pennant, first trip to the World Series – the Rangers as the lead story on MLB Network, as well as all the online sports websites - there is no way to describe a baseball fan living the dream (especially in a football town).

I’m worried about a couple of things (Vladdy in general and in particular playing RF, Tommy Hunter starting Game 4 after his two previous playoff game starts, maybe a little bit about CJ after his start in NY) – but looking at the big picture – the outcome almost doesn’t matter: the big bad dragon has been slain (the Yankees and their “mystique”) if the Rangers win – great, if they don’t – it’s still great they finally made it to the World Series.

Fianlly: (With apologies to John Fogerty)

"Well I spent my time in old Arlington Stadium, watching it the heat
You know I took some lumps when Juan Gonzalez struck out
So say hey Buddy, tell ol 'Pudge, and Hello Win Column Mark Holtz
Don’t say “it ain’t so” – you know “It’s Time” right now

Put me in Johnny, I’m ready to play today
Put me in Ron, I’m ready to play today
Look at me I am in the World Series"

Rangers in 6 – Marla Hooch

Pass It On

2010-10-26T22:08:00.000-05:00

There was a man named John Byczynski, he served as a member of the cavalry in El Paso, Texas during the 1920’s. John played football and baseball while in the Army in Texas; he was always a baseball fan. John had a daughter named Eleanor. Eleanor had a cousin named Antoinette. John, Eleanor and Antoinette shared their love of baseball; Antoinette said that John taught her everything she knows about baseball.

Antoinette and Eleanor were Cleveland Indians fans, they enjoyed the Tribe’s successes as young girls, but as Indians fans they both learned about the long summers of following a losing team too.

When she grew up Antoinette had a daughter she named Eleanor – who eventually became known as “the other Eleanor”. Antoinette and her sister Cathi, who was also a baseball fan, passed their love of the great game onto “the other Eleanor”

John passed away in the 1970’s, his daughter Eleanor remained a Cleveland baseball fan. Her goddaughter – “the other Eleanor” - moved to Texas in 1979 and became a Rangers fan. Antoinette moved to Texas a little later and became a Rangers fan too. Both Eleanors endured some very lean years of baseball in the 1980’s. John’s daughter did experience the Indians renaissance in the 1990’s and their trip to the World Series. “The Other Eleanor’s” Rangers had a very brief moment of glory for a short time in the late 1990’s too – but never a trip to the World Series. Last Friday night that all changed.

Every family has their traditions passed from one generation to the next – my family’s is baseball, and I am so proud of that. Wednesday night Antoinette (my Baseball Mom) and I (“the other Eleanor”) will watch our Rangers play in their first World Series game. Aunt Eleanor (my godmother) will be watching too at her home in Marblehead, Ohio – all because a cavalry soldier who loved baseball passed it on.

Thank You Uncle John.

Go Rangers -- Marla Hooch

P.S. I've read so many terrific articles this week about the Rangers. These four (links) are my favorites: they made me smile, laugh out loud and even brought a tear to my eye

T.R. Sullivan: 10 Reason Why The Rangers Are In The World Series

Peter Gammons: Rangers Enjoy Texas Sized Moment

Randy Galloway: Rangers Prove Anything Is Now Possible

Jim Reeves: Pennant Vanquishes Rangers Ghosts

Game 6 - The Morning After

2010-10-23T10:29:00.000-05:00

I planned at trip to New Orleans with my sister the New Mexico Bean and Dr. Brad (her husband) a long, long time ago. I'll admit that I never thought the Rangers would get this far in the playoffs - so I didn't worry about the timimng - silly me.

Saw the 8th and 9th inning at a place on Chartres St. last night - and then celebrated!

This morning at Cafe Beignet this is how things looked with my Yankee fan brother in law:

I still can't believe the Rangers are going to the World Series! I still can't believe I planned a trip in the middle of the ALCS!

The hat stays on all day today. Can't wait to get home and write some more.

GO RANGERS!!!!!! -- Marla Hooch

Game 5

2010-10-21T07:26:00.000-05:00

To use a quote from Eric Nadel that I've heard several times during the playoffs "nothing is ever easy for these Rangers."

Clinching at home would be great.

I'm going to take a cue from Cliff Lee (see picture) and adapt the "what me worry?" attitude.

In fact, I'm not even going to blog until Sunday - no matter what happens. Okay, I'm not going to be by a computer until Sunday night.

Keeping the faith that the next time I blog it will be about another 7 game series next week for my team.

Go Rangers!!!! -- Marla Hooch

Game 4

2010-10-19T23:13:00.000-05:00

Dear Yankees,

Please remember: payback is a bitch.

Signed - Very Sincerely - Marla Hooch

P.S. The Magic Number is 1 !!!!

Game 3

2010-10-19T09:01:00.001-05:00

With apologies to Annie Savoy: I believe in the Church of Cliff Lee -- Marla Hooch

P.S. I actually missed most of the game last night (yes, I know sacrilige). There was an emergency situation - I had to take my neighbor to the hospital - turned out she was having a heart attack. Thinking of you Joanie, hope you are better soon!
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Game 2

2010-10-16T18:59:00.000-05:00

Plop, plop, fizz, fizz - oh what a relief it is! -- Marla Hooch
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Game 1

2010-10-15T23:40:00.000-05:00

The Rangers do what they do: blow a 5-1 lead and lose.

-- Marla Hooch

Unreal

2010-10-15T12:27:00.000-05:00

I drove into work this morning thinking – I have to write something, anything.

The truth is, I don’t know what to write. This whole week has been unreal. Even in my best daydreams, I couldn’t image this happening.

Baseball Mom and were talking about the Monday night game we attended in old Arlington Stadium back in the 1980’s. The Cowboys were on MNF, we went to the Rangers game and literally counted the fans in the stands, yet the front page of today’s paper isn’t about Tony Romo’s hangnail or Dez Bryant’s Discover Card bill or even Mike Modano’s return to Dallas – it’s about the Rangers – unreal. Stopping by Krogers after work the other – they had a entire display of game watching snacks anchored by the Rangers gear (not the football team) – I counted 15 people waiting in line to check out wearing various Rangers garb – unreal.
Looking at the series : the Yankees appear to be a team that “turn it on” whenever they want to (although why they didn’t “turn it on” to win the division – is a bit of a mystery to me) . Maybe they aren’t the steamroller they were in the 1990’s when the Rangers played them in post-season, but they are still very, very good. However, the Rangers are pretty good too and more importantly: resilient. The Yankees haven’t face any adversity in the playoffs – maybe the Rangers will give them some.

I can’t make a prediction, in fact I don’t want to.

This season has been beyond belief in so many ways, however this series ends up doesn’t really matter to me (although a win would be awfully good).

I’m going to the game tonight (Thank You again to the Sullivans) and I’m going to enjoy every minute of the unreality of it all..

Go Rangers!! -- Marla Hooch
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Game 5

2010-10-12T22:08:00.000-05:00

(With apologies to Edwin Hawkins)

O Happy Day

When Cliff Lee Washed The Rangers Sins Away

O Happy Day

I have never been so happy to be wrong about anything in my entire life!

Rangers! -- Marla Hooch

Tonight

2010-10-12T09:31:00.001-05:00

I’ve been reading Ranger fan websites this morning that are all basically saying the same thing: “Trust Cliff Lee”.

The thing of it is, it’s not a matter of just trusting Cliff Lee - I do – it’s the rest of the team that I don’t trust. Without those other 9 players it doesn’t matter what Cliff Lee does tonight.

Cliff Lee will show and do his best I am sure.

But….

--- Will Michael, Josh, Vlad, whoever is playing 1B and the rest of the OF show up offensively?

--- Will the Rangers batters realize that they are not going to see the same David Price as they did last Wednesday and make the adjustments?

--- Will the Ranger defense concentrate on making the routine plays and not worry about making the spectacular plays that could into spectacularly stupid errors?

--- Will the bullpen find itself and be the bullpen that we could depend on all season long?

--- Will Neftali Feliz be the Neftali Feliz who saved 40 games and not the Neftali Feliz we saw on Saturday?

Finally: I’ve been a fan of this team for a long, long time and the one thing I am sure of is that they are always on the wrong side of history. I love this team and I remain a loyal fan, but I don’t think that this is the day they will be able to overcome 30+ years of futility.

It’s been great – but the Rangers season ends tonight -- Marla Hooch
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Game 4: [Deep Sigh]

2010-10-10T17:23:00.000-05:00

I'd hate to think that Carl Crawford was right, but after all it is the Texas Rangers - there's an inevitability about it isn't there?

I should have known better: the Texas Rangers always break my heart -- Marla Hooch
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MOJO

2010-10-10T08:30:00.000-05:00

I am very, very fortunate to have a ticket to today's game (many thanks to the Sullivan's).

To borrow a phrase from Darren Oliver's post-game comments - I am "finding some good MOJO" and bringing it to the Ballpark today.

Go Rangers! -- Marla Hooch

P.S. Here the link to some more playoff goodness from Jim Reeves on ESPN.com
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Game 3

2010-10-09T20:51:00.000-05:00

Plus ça change, Plus c'est la même chose-- Marla Hooch
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That Indescribable Feeling

2010-10-08T21:46:00.002-05:00

I've been walking around all day with this very strange feeling that I can't exactly describe. It reminds me of the last couple of weeks of my senior year in college: a mixture of anticpation, dread and the urge to party my brains out. Freinds and family have been sending me messages, my co-workers stop by my cubicle to offer a high five and ask me if I'm going to the game on Saturday (I'm not).

On one hand, I'm elated. As I mentioned in the post below, I listened to the 9th inning of Game 1 at work on Tuesday with a fellow fan (who is also the Mom of one the 6 Shooters from the Ballpark) when Neftali recorded the final out, we did a playoff dance. Yesterday I did let out a little whoop (that everyone in the office apparently heard) when Michael Young hit his HR. I wore my Ranger gear to work today and decorated the cubicle outer wall with the front page of Thursday and Friday's Startlegram.

But on the other hand, I'm a 30 year Ranger fan. I keep thinking this is too good to be true. 90% of the national baseball media "experts" picked the Rays to win the series. I'm Charlie Brown and the Rangers are Lucy waiting to pull the football away when I go charging towards her. I can't erase that nagging doubt and the feeling in the pit of my stomach that it's all going to fall apart rather quickly.

What to do? What to think? How do I feel waiting for Saturday afternoon?

I fear Matt Garza, but I trust Josh Hamilton. I am thrilled to see Cliff Lee and Michael Young get those "Yankee" calls from the umps - but after all public whining I'm afraid they are going to "give" a few of those same calls to the Rays now? Has Neftali worked out the anxiety and whatever else was bothering him (did anyone else notice that even after the game ended Bengie Molina was still jawing at Feliz?) Is Evan Longoria really as rusty at the plate as he appeared in the first 2 games (or is he more hurt than we've been lead to believe?)

I want to enjoy this gift from the baseball gods - and make no mistake: every playoff for every team (even the Yankees) is something special.

Maybe, just for tonight until game time tomorrow, I'll put my doubts aside and not look a gift horse in the mouth. I'm going to enjoy the moment - that indecscribable feeling? I think I figured it out: because of the Rangers I'm walking on sunshine.

Go Rangers!

-- Marla Hooch
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Game 2: Good Things Come To Those Wait

2010-10-07T18:10:00.000-05:00

"Let the word go forth.....that the torch has been passed to a new generation of [Rangers]"

Maybe it really is time? -- Marla Hooch

Game 1: Boomstick

2010-10-06T16:07:00.000-05:00

I was listening to the game on my radio at work - one of my co-workers (whose daughter is a 6 Shooter at the Ballpark) came down to my cubicle to listen to the 9th innning.

We did our playoff win dance.

P.S. I take back all those nasty things I said about Bengie Molina -- Marla Hooch

We Are Just Happy To Be Here

2010-10-05T14:10:00.004-05:00

While surfing around the Rangers web nation, I noticed a trend among the bloggy fans who seem to think that nothing less that a sweep of the Rays is acceptable. My response: Baloney! This isn’t the NHL where they play all season just to eliminate six teams, fortunately baseball is just the opposite: 4 teams, each league that’s it. Getting there is an accomplishment, a big one. Go ahead and ask a Pirates fan (no playoffs since 1992) or a Blue Jays fan (no playoffs since 1993) or a Royals fan (no playoffs since 1985) what they would consider “acceptable” if they were in our shoes. This kind of season for your team, this kind of opportunity doesn’t come along very often. I am one fan who is who will say “Heck yes, I’m just happy to be there”.

While I like reading in depth analysis, I'm don't like writing it. There is so much being written and broadcast about pitching match-up’s, injuries, history and psychology it is almost too much information. I have a few observations, based on, well, based on my “gut feelings” and 30 years of watching Rangers baseball. By the way most of Ron Washington’s “gut feelings” have worked this season – reason enough for me to give it a try:

--- Most, in fact, almost all of the national media outlets are picking the Rays (although it seems our local writers disagree). That’s fine, I think being the underdog is a good thing – less pressure.

--- Speaking of less pressure, while the Rays may actually have a better team than the Yankees (in my never humble opinion) the one they don’t have is that infuriating “mystique” – frankly I think that was a big part of the problem with the 90’s Rangers, it got in their heads and affected their performance (yes, I know they faced three absolutely superb New York teams, but they could have at least given them a little fight) . Although I also wonder what team playing the Yankees in the post season doesn’t run up against that same problem – I can’t think of one.

--- What worries me about the Rangers? Josh Hamilton’s ribs, Vlad Guerrero’s base running, Michael Young’s .258 BA for Sept/Oct of this season, the Rays running game with Bengie Molina behind the plate (remember that game in Boston where the Rangers ran like crazy on Victor Martinez, that is exactly what Tampa is going to do when Bengie is behind the plate) Matt Garza’s sneer, a healthy Evan Longoria.

--- What doesn’t worry about the Rangers: the pitching staff, all of them – I never thought I’d write that about Ranger team – ever. The OF defense and offense: Nelson, Jeff, David, Julio and Josh (as long as his ribs are okay) the ghosts of playoff teams past – these guys weren’t around – and it’s not the Yankees!

I wrote this elsewhere, but I have no problem repeating myself: thanks a lot MLB and TBS for scheduling the first two games at a ridiculous time duruing the day. I’m sure baseball purists love it, however many of us who have to work for a living don’t. Some of us don’t have the luxury of taking the afternoon off, or calling in sick. TBS and MLB think this match-up only appeals to a limited audience – I buy that. However, you can say that about nearly every other team in the playoffs except for the Yankees, and maybe the Braves. If there is only “regional” interest (hence all the day games) I don’t understand why TBS doesn’t do the same thing Fox does with their Saturday Game of the Week and allow MLB to scheduled 2 games at the same time later in the afternoon and just show them to the viewing audiences that are interested in seeing them. (And for all the whiners who don’t want to see the game shown in their area – there are plenty options: sports bars and online to see the games you want.)

The other problem with this scheduling is short term thinking: MLB is more worried about advertising revenue this year than growing their audience for the future. If MLB wants to draw in a younger crowd, then don’t schedule playoff games at noon while your audience is in school. This isn’t 1960 – the teachers aren’t going allow you to listen “on the transistor” radio or skip school/call in sick – as Rays manager Joe Maddon suggested the other day. A 3:00 game will allow MLB/TBS to gain that younger demographic they crave as well as ensure plenty of time to show their beloved Yankees at night.

Finally: some words of inspiration from our owner (how great is it to type that?):

“One of the beautiful things about baseball is that every once in a while you come into a situation where you want to, and where you have to, reach down and prove something.” – Nolan Ryan

Rangers win in 5 – Marla Hooch
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Friday Night Lights

2010-10-02T17:57:00.001-05:00

Friday nights in September in Texas mean one thing: high school football. It seems like so many Friday nights in the fall, I'd sit at the Ballpark or old Arlington Stadium and it was just me, the team and a very few others who cared, the games were meaningless.

Last night, I went to yet another meaningless Friday night game - in absolutely perfect weather - along with 43,000+ who also cared. The only reason last night's game was meaningless is that there is Rangers baseball next week, in October, that really counts.

What a fun season it has been to be a Rangers fan.

Thanks to everyone on the field, in the front office, and throughout the organization that made this season possible - - Marla Hooch

P.S. Click here for more goodness from Jim Reeves at ESPN.com

If, And or But Revisited

2010-09-27T12:46:00.005-05:00

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."
-- Psalms 30:5

I almost did not watch Friday night’s game; I was in no mood to listen to either set of Rangers announcers. But I made myself watch the game with the sound turned down. I’m glad I did – it made me smile and gave me a soft landing at the end of a terrible day.

Saturday, I went over to Baseball Mom’s to watch the game, she was sure they were going to win, stepadad Neil and I weren’t so sure. When Jorge Cantu hit his home run in the 8th I think our whoops of joy were heard all the way in the Rangers dugout in Oakland, okay maybe not. But they probably woke up anyone in the vicinity who was sleeping (Hi Rob!). We ordered our own celebratory pizza, and enjoyed the clubhouse goofiness.

Back on April 1st I wrote a blog entry titled “If, And, But” detailing my thoughts about what would make the Rangers 2010 season successful… or not.

Let’s take a look at what I said (highlighted in red italics) to see just how much crow I will have to eat this week:

IF:

If Josh Hamilton stays healthy – which he did for most the season. During September the Rangers proved they could win without him (albeit it was a struggle)

If Rich Harden stays healthy – the problem really wasn’t health – I’m not sure what it is was – but in spite of Harden’s struggles the pitching staff was very good

If the Rangers (who are truly notorious for their lack of patience) can contain themselves and allow Julio Borbon to experience the slumps, hot streaks, errors and brilliant plays during his first full season in the big leagues: The Rangers did (show some patience) and then they didn’t (there were long stretches later in the season when they didn’t). By the way has anyone noticed Borbon’s BA is up in the .270’s ?

If Elvis Andrus, Matt Harrison, Tommy Hunter, Chris Davis, Neftali Feliz, and Derek Holland take a step up, not back, in their development

Here’s the scorecard:

Elvis - took a small step back (both offensively and a bit defensively)

Matt - was hurt, lost his spot in the rotation, and I don’t have much confidence in him – so it’s a big step back

Tommy - took a huge step forward - and ought to be the 4th starter in the playoff rotation (starting Cliff Lee on short rest is ridiculous)

Chris – don’t care what the stat heads, or front office thinks – he wasn’t given a full season opportunity to work through his struggles.

Neftali – set the record for saves by a rookie close – ‘nuff said

Derek – I’m not going to say he took a step back, I think he was a bit over-hyped in the first place. He’s going to be a nice, average, major league starter – not a star – I actually think he made some progress this season.

If Colby Lewis’s turnaround in Japan translates to success in MLB: I’d say this one worked out very nicely.

If CJ Wilson can successfully transition from reliever to starter: only CJ, Mike Maddux and Nolan Ryan believed in CJ at the beginning of the spring training, now the rest of us have joined them (except for the DMN).

If Ian Kinsler can stay healthy… he has only played in more than 130 games once (2009) in three full major league seasons – it's starting to become a concern: it’s still a concern, but Andres Blanco did a pretty good job filling in for him.

If Vlad Guerrero isn’t finished (as some suspect) and still has a little something left to terrorize pitchers: Well he did in the first half of the season, he definitely dropped off quite a bit after the All-Star break and oh that baserunning - (makes me a little wary of picking up his option for next season).

If Taylor Teagarden and Jarrod Saltalamacchia can -- a) stay healthy then -- b) one of them (don’t care which) assert themselves, take the catching position to at least major league average – including offensively: What a disaster this position turned out to be (and still is). By the way - what happened to all that catching "depth" the Rangers were touting just a couple of years ago?

If 40 year old LHP Darren Oliver can handle the workload “left” behind with CJ Wilson moving to the rotation: Well he did it - with a late season assist from Michael Kirkman and Clay Rapada

AND:

And…Keep in mind the fact that all bullpens are a year-to-year proposition…This year’s bullpen starts out losing CJ Wilson, with (arguably) their most productive reliever from 2009 - Darren O’Day - hurting, most importantly closer Frank Francisco a huge question mark. Frankie’s 2009 was shaky in my estimation and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Neftali Feliz closing games by the All-Star Break. : Darren O’Day was fine, Frankie was not, and Neftali started closing way before the All-Star Break.

BUT:

But … I do trust the fact the Rangers do have some depth in the minors at most positions in case of injuries and terrible slumps or (God forbid) outright failures: Other than catcher, this was true.

But … I do think the AL West could be the closest division race in all of MLB, with the Angels, Seattle and Texas all finishing within one or two games between them: Wow, nothing like I expected. Who would have thought the Angels would fade so fast? I bought into the notion the Seattle pitching staff would carry them and the offense would scratch out just enough to win (see the 2010 SF Giants) that was a myth. I didn’t even mention the A’s - if they get any kind of offense this off season they will be a dangerous team next season.

But …The Rangers are a young team that will be fun to watch and in spite of it all my experience with them and my misgivings I remain a loyal, sometimes hopeful, fan: They were, I did and I still am.

I really do hope I am wrong. (I picked the Rangers to finish “a close third” in the division)

I was wrong, and I am really, really glad about that -- Marla Hooch

Celebrating The 2010 AL Western Division Championship

2010-09-26T17:48:00.000-05:00

My close personal friend, Sir Basil, has his claws and antlers ready for the playoffs.

No more therapy needed - thoughts on the weekend in a day or two -- Marla Hooch

Miss Stella

2010-09-24T17:17:00.001-05:00

Miss Stella

Unknown date in 1994 to September 24, 2010

The house is a little too quiet, and sad tonight. My lap will be empty while I watch the game. Thank you for 14 wonderful years, I will miss you very much my lovely girl -- Marla Hooch
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God Bless You Mark Teahen

2010-09-22T17:25:00.000-05:00

There's no way I could put another picture of Ozzie on this blog -- Marla Hooch
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9/21 Post Game Therapy

2010-09-21T22:46:00.001-05:00

No need to wait, we all know how ~~this~~ ~~game~~ this season is going to end up.

The more things change...the more the stay the same...especially when you are talking about the Rangers...[deep sigh] --- Marla Hooch
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Random, Non-Baseball Post

2010-09-21T18:01:00.000-05:00

One my Dickie Thon Fan Club pals posted this link to the Guerrilla Marching Band in Detroit. (Watch the video too.)

I wish someone in Arlington would start one of these, I'd join in a heartbeat.

And I have no musical ability whatsoever.

Back to the wailing and nashing of teeth over tonight's game -- Marla Hooch (would be drummer)

9/20 Post Game Therapy

2010-09-21T08:45:00.001-05:00

Half Empty or Half Full?

Glass Half Full: Part of me says: there are 13 games left, if the Rangers win just 4 more games, Oakland can't lose any more than 2 games just to catch the Rangers - that seems like a nearly impossible situation for the A's.

Glass Half Empty: The Rangers, right now, have the worst record of any of the teams (AL or NL) that are positioned to go into the post season, which means they are the road team. The Yankess are 41-34 on the road, Tampa Bay 43-31, Minnesota 40-35 meanwhile the Rangers have a 35-40 road record. Add to that: Texas is 1-3 against sub .500 teams, on the road, in their own division the past 4 games!

At least Chris Davis had a good night at the plate.

No more magic numbers until it is down to 1 - Marla Hooch

9/19 Post Game Therapy

2010-09-20T07:53:00.002-05:00

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" I would [have] told [first-base coach Gary Pettis] to throw a rope around him and hold him to first base," Washington said. "

Ron, you should have started doing that in April. -- Marla Hooch
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9/18 Post Game Therapy

2010-09-18T23:03:00.000-05:00

Jon Daniels best mid-season ascquisition? Jeff Francoeur for Joaquin Arias -- Marla Hooch

9/17 Post Game Therapy

2010-09-18T09:12:00.002-05:00

"Leave the gun, take the cannoli"

My interpretation:

"Let Bengie Molina leave as a free agent, take the draft pick"

King Felix is pretty good isn't he? -- Marla Hooch
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9/15 Post Game Therapy

2010-09-16T09:06:00.002-05:00

Remember the Arsenio Hall Show? He did a bit called “things that make you say hmmm”. Today’s post game therapy is loosely based on that, I’m calling it “things that make Ranger fans say hmmm and then shake their heads in despair”

Example #1 - Today’s Fort Worth Startlegram: the banner across the top of the front page is … about the Cowboys; not a single word about the Rangers, who drew 34,000 + on a Wednesday night in September. The Rangers instead merit a tiny little article on the upper right hand inside– while the 0-1 team down the street gets nearly the entire front of the Startlegram’s Sports page.

Example #2 – The Dallas Boring News edition in our breakroom at work has the wrong Magic Number (9) listed on their miniscule article (also relegated to a small upper right hand corner spot).

There’s a “hypothetical” about the local media that more than one Ranger fan has told me, which goes something like this: The day the Rangers win the World Series, Dale Hansen will lead off Channel 8’s sports segment with a story about Tony Romo’s hangnail, and then there will be some kind of golf feature, a piece on a high school football game, the last story intro will be “oh by the way The Rangers won the World Series – here’s George Riba”.

Still counting - thank you Kansas City -- Marla Hooch

P.S. Jim Reeves is awesome: Read This
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9/14 Post Game Therapy

2010-09-14T23:28:00.000-05:00

The countdown has begun -- Marla Hooch
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Stealing Home

2010-09-13T21:16:00.005-05:00

I went home for the first time in eleven years last week.

Even though the condo in Arlington (Hooch World Headquarters) has been my residence for 16 years, whether I like it or not, Toledo Ohio will always be home. I lived there in the same house from the day I was born until I left for Texas at age 21 in August of 1979.

This isn’t going to be a travelogue. I suppose the best description is I am giving a voice to what I saw and felt during my four days at home.

As you might have guessed, Toledo has always been a bag of mixed emotions for me.

Part of me is that girl who started plotting her escape in fifth grade. I went to an elementary school that had eight grades. I spent eight years with a small group of neighborhood kids (about 30 of them) that I grew to loathe – it was a bit of a nightmare for me. High School was a non-event. There weren’t any really bad times, and there were a couple of nice things that occurred, but for the most part I don’t remember much of it except for graduation day, knowing I’d soon be heading for Cleveland , was one of the happiest days of my life. But, I will admit I have some very special and warm memories of family, friends, events and the era that I lived in Toledo. It’s in my DNA, it helped shape who I am today and is a part of me I can’t deny.

The idea for the trip was, sadly, born out of regret. My beloved Aunt Mitzi passed away several years ago, and I did not get back in time to see her in the short time before she died. It was my fault. This time I decided I wasn’t going to wait, I wanted to see my family and friends, and enjoy their company, now.

If you are from the “Rust Belt” then you are familiar with the changes that have taken place in cities like Detroit, Buffalo, Cleveland and unfortunately Toledo. Those changes have not been good. My mother’s family lived a working class Polish neighborhood in town. As a kid, I loved visiting my Aunt Jo, Aunt Helen and Uncle Max in that neighborhood. To give you a picture – remember the opening of “All In The Family” with the neat row of houses set close together on small lots? That’s the kind of place it was. It isn’t like that anymore. I can’t begin to tell you what a tremendously sad and sick feeling it was driving through that neighborhood and parts of city that are worn down and worn out.

I grew up in what was then called “the sticks” but in reality was probably the fore runner of the suburbs. As we drove through our part of town, I remarked to Baseball Mom that I felt like I was in a foreign county, once in a while a familiar landmark would pop up, but they were few and far between.

However, as depressing as that all sounds, there were some really great parts of the trip that definitely outweighed the sad. I spent time with George and Glenna Hartman – they’ve been our friends for 40 years (Glenna was my 7th grade teacher – and one of the best educators I’ve had the pleasure of learning from). We drove to Marblehead Ohio, a community on the shores of Lake Erie, to see my godmother/namesake Aunt Eleanor and happily, not much has changed driving to and in Marblehead.

We got see my cousin Elizabeth (and husband Bob’s) beautiful home and her mom my “traveling” Aunt Rita. I was happy to find out that my “old school” (the aforementioned Our Lady of Lourdes grade school) which closed at the end of last school year is going to re-open possibly as a charter school or learning center for Head Start or maybe a school for mentally challenged kids. Let me clarify: I loved the teachers and the school building, it was a great place to learn– I just didn’t like my classmates. I went to my home church for Mass, and I have to say our old neighborhood does look a little nicer than it did when I was growing up. We visited the Toledo Museum of Art (which puts both the Kimball and DMA to shame) stopped by the new Toledo Mudhens downtown stadium, ate fresh tomatoes, corn on the cob and cucumbers from Strain’s farm as well as a terrific dinner of kapusta, perogi and czarnina at Ski’s Polish restaurant.

As time moves on, a little too quickly for me, I am well aware that change is the only constant. There are so few things that we can rely on to remain the same.I think that was one of the main reasons I haven’t gone back to Toledo often. I know it’s changing, and not for the better. I need Toledo to be the one that is in my memory, it’s my source of comfort, which is something I never, ever, imagined I feel.

I am glad that I took this trip – I needed it.

"There are places I remember all my life
Though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone, some remain
All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I loved them all"

-- John Lennon "In My Life"

-- Marla Hooch aka Eleanor Czajka

P.S. Back to baseball - soon.
I'll have some pictures from the trip online shortly.
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9/7 Post Game Therapy

2010-09-08T00:12:00.000-05:00

God Bless The Seattle Mariners
-- Marla Hooch

9/6 Post Game Therapy

2010-09-06T15:30:00.000-05:00

Texas Rangers = San Diego Padres? -- Marla Hooch

Doom And Gloom And Other Things

2010-09-05T13:57:00.000-05:00

I've read the comments on how some local wags say it's pretty far-fetched to think the Rangers won't win the AL West this season. I know that if they go 11-16 in their last 27 games Oakland would have to go 20-7 to catch up and beat them by one game. However, tell that to the Padres who had an 8 game lead just a few days ago. Or mention it to a fan (like me) who was around in 1996 when the Rangers had a 9 game lead the first weekend in September, then promptly lost 3 out of 4 games at home to the Brewers that sent them into a tailspin resulting in a 1 game with just a week left in the season - and watch their reaction.

Here's my not so bold prediction: the Rangers will clinch the division at home on Tuesday September 28th against the Mariners. (And Mike Hindman, I will buy your ticket to that game if want to come watch the game with me). Yes, I'm almost sure they are going to win the division.

What concerns me is this a team that is lurching by stops and starts into the post season.

The Yankees and their 9 game win streak aren't doing that, neither are the Rays: 6-4 in their last 10 games or the Twins who've not only gained home field advantage over Texas but are also 7-3 in their last 10 games.

Although the stat that scares me the most is the one you'll read everywhere on the web today: the Rangers are 0-11 on the road against all the AL teams that will likely be in the playoffs. If that doesn't make you shudder, I don't know what will. As much as I like this team (and I actually really do even more than the teams of '90's) right now, they don't look like a team that can go any further into the playoffs than those teams that preceded them.

If there is a ray of hope - there are still 27 games for them to figure it out how to get on winning streak into the playoffs - I hope they do.

Finally: Okay, just to prove I'm not cranky all the time, here are a few stories that I heard and read this week that I found amazing, inspiring and made me laugh out loud.

Amazing: I heard this series last week on NPR, it's one of those that you sit in your car listening to long after you've pulled into your driveway at home: The USS Kirk: Valor At The Vietnam War's End - all the stories on this age are absolutely riveting.

Inspiring: Detroit catcher Max St. Pierre makes the major leagues after 14 years in the minors. This is why we love baseball.

You Have To At Least Smile: Labor Day Songs From The Annoying Music Show - how can you not resist hearing a snippet of the Red Army chorus singing "California Girls"?

No magic numbers here (yet) -- Marla Hooch
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9/3 and 9/4 Post Game Therapy

2010-09-04T18:26:00.009-05:00

I am not going to whine about Nelson Cruz’s horrible AB in the 8th inning Friday night against Mike Capps (which I thought was a worse transgression than Alex Cora’s running blunder – however, did he not see Repko make that throw twice before that evening?)

I am not going to moan and groan that this weekend the Rangers gave away home field advantage in post season … if they get there… I’m still not ruling out a complete collapse.

I am not even going mention that I'm jealous of a team (Twins) that have a DH who actually contributes home runs and rbis (no just seeing eye singles).

I am not going to complain about the fact that winning a series in Kansas City means nothing; but that losing a series in Minnesota to a playoff contender on the road is important, really important, I mean really, really important, did I mention it was important? ( Hint: Do you want to see Texas start the post season playing two games against that team from the Bronx in their home stadium?)

No instead, I’m just going to type out a few Talking Heads lyrics? Why? Because New Mexico Bean liked them, so I know the lyrics and I figured "it’s time" to stop making sense.

Stuck a pencil in my eye
I can hardly wait to get back home
Why is everyone gettin' paranoid
I was only having fun"
-- Lifetime Pilin' Up

"And she was looking at herself

And things were looking like a movie

She had a pleasant elevation

She's moving out in all directions"

-- And She Was

"You start a conversation you can even finish it

You're talking alot, but you're not saying anything

When I have nothing to say my lips are sealed

Say something once, why say it again?"

-- Psycho Killer

"No visible means of support and you have not seen nothin' yet

Everything's stuck together

I don't what you expect staring into the TV set"

-- Burning Down The House

"We dress like students, we dress like housewives
Or in a suit and tie
I changed my hairstyle so many times now
I don't know what I look like"
-- Life In Wartime

Finally: the one set of lyrics that actually does apply to this Ranger team (from a song coincedentally titled "We're On A Road To Nowhere") :

"Well we know where we're going

But we don't know where we've been

And we know what we're knowin'

But we can't say what we've seen

And we're not little children

And we know what we want

And the future is certain

Give us time to work it out"

"...as we get older and stop making sense" -- Marla Hooch

Post Game Therapy 8/30 and 8/31

2010-09-01T20:10:00.000-05:00

Monday 8/30: A perfect evening: watching a well-pitched game at Sherlock's with fellow Ranger fans with Chuck Greenberg answers questions from the crowd. Here's a link to the pictures from that event.

Tuesday 8/31: That's what drives me crazy about this team, a really good game followed by a really poor one, there just isn't any consistency - which is a huge worry when I think about the post-season - which team is going to show up?

I'm not as worried about getting to the post-season as I am about what the Rangers will do in the post-season - has anything really changed? -- Marla Hooch
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8/29 Post Game Therapy

2010-08-29T17:12:00.001-05:00

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. " -Benjamin Franklin

Today’s therapy is pretty much the same as yesterday’s: good pitching beats good hitting or should I say except for Josh Hamilton, mediocre hitting every time.

Also the same thought as yesterday: if the A’s can come up with any kind offense for 2011, the Rangers will be in trouble, alot of trouble.

This weekend should have been about the Rangers shutting the door of the AL West completely on the A’s instead of cracking it open and letting them back in the race. Texas doesn’t even have the excuse of facing Trevor Cahill.

The same thing over and over... -- Marla Hooch
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8/28 Post Game Therapy

2010-08-29T11:38:00.000-05:00

Here's the thing about last night's game: Forget about Rich Harden, let's talk about the offense.

Sure, Friday night's game was alot of fun, but Saturday night's game was more like a playoff game.
Yes, it's more likely Cliff Lee, Colby Lewis or CJ Wilson will be the starter in a possible post-season game, so the Rangers won't be playing from as far behind (we hope).

However, the Rangers are likely to face the likes of CC Sabathia or David Price in that situation - those pitchers are going to throw the same kind of game Dallas Braden did last night. From my point of view, the offense from this team didn't look any different than the teams that wilted in '96, '98 and '99. Didn't see any patience at the plate, didn't see anything that resembled "small ball" - and that my friends has always been the Rangers biggest flaw in post season, they don't know how to squeeze out just enough runs to win, no matter how good their pitching may be.

P.S. If the A's can find any kind of offensive help this off-season, then they will be a factor in the AL West next season with those kind of nice young starting pitchers.

Quoting Albert Camus "At any street corner the feeling of absurdity can strike any man in the face." -- Marla Hooch
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8/27 Post Game Therapy

2010-08-28T15:02:00.000-05:00

I went to the game last night.

The only thing I have to say about what went on between the white lines is: Big Game Tommy Hunter and, to quote Ron Washington, "I'm all worded out" about Josh Hamilton.

Chuck Greenberg is right about the sleeping giant, but I think he's starting to wake up already, here's how I know:

--- on a High School Football Friday Night in Texas - there were still more than 30,000 fans in the stands to see the Oakland A's (one of the worst road team draws).

--- every time Josh Hamilton did something amazing (again) there was a spontaneous chant of MVP that got louder each time and was not prompted by anything on the scoreboard. Anytime there are chants not prompted by the scoreboard - it's a sure sign the local casual fans are becoming baseball fans.

--- at the end of the game when Chuck Morgan read off the stats of the winning pitcher - Tommy Hunter - the crowd cheered, they were cheering instead of heading for the exits - of course fireworks had somethng to do with that. But I've been there on a fireworks night when the Rangers won, and I'm pretty sure I never heard anyone cheer the name of the winning pitcher after the game.

I'm almost a believer -- Marla Hooch

P.S. Since I had a nice seat, I took a few pictures. Some of them are on TR Sullivan's blog today with a lovely poetic accompaniment. The rest are here in my photo gallery.
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The Evelyn Wood Speed Reading Edition

2010-08-25T12:29:00.010-05:00

If you know what I’m talking about in the title, don’t worry I won’t reveal your age.

For those who don’t: back when televisions looked like the one in the picture on the left, when you watched during day the – say when you came home from school – you’d be bombarded with commercials for the “Evelyn Wood” speed reading method. They’d have live demonstrations of young men reading about ½ of “The Agony and The Ecstasy” (which is a fairly large book) in just 10 minutes. The method apparently had something to do with running your finger down the middle of the page – at least that’s what it looked like. What does this have to do with baseball and this blog? Well, today’s entry is the Evelyn Wood Speed Reading edition, for once I’ll try to keep things short (even though this opening paragraph is already running contrary to the theme). Put you finger in the center at the top of the screen and start reading:

Is Ty Wiggington going to be a free agent this off-season? If he is, put him on the wish list – would love to see him in the super-utility role the Rangers had envisioned for Khalil Green.

If you don’t get a newspaper, then you need to read this from the Biz of Baseball website – yet another reason to feel good about Rangers Baseball Express (but not a flattering picture of Nolan)

After reading the articles about the leaked financial documents for the Marlins, as much as I disliked the Rangers previous owner he's a saint compared to Samson/Loria, I’m really glad I’m not a Marlins fan.

That item from the Austin American Statesman on their potential change to a Rangers affiliate got me thinking: Does the Red Roof Inn have a “frequent stay” program? Will Scott Lucas put up a tent in the parking lot and live there during the season? (Just kidding Scott). I’ve said this before: Dell Diamond is one of my favorite places to watch a minor league game – if they are going to be the Rangers AAA team – it will truly be my field of dreams.

The whole Cliff Lee/ESPN over reported story brings two things to mind:

Why I loathe, hate, despise and never ever listen to sports talk radio: where self-inflated speculation/opinions turn into facts to increase ratings.
The reason ESPN started a DFW focused website was for just such events – they are going after the print media to “generate more hits” on their website. You know what they did it. My goodness isn't the DMN is indignant? The same DMN where bloggers/columnists are prone to the same kind of speculation – just not as loudly (ever read a Gerry Fraley or Jean-Jacques Taylor column on the Rangers that doesn’t include suppositions/opinions?)

Speaking of Cliff Lee here’s my totally unrealistic speculation: maybe Cliff Lee won’t sign with the Yankees, because they are in the AL East and he’d have to face the Baltimore Orioles often (Yanks play 18 games against Baltimore this year). If he stays with Texas….okay maybe not.

Why did I wait so long to start watching “Psych”?

Just like Rodney Dangefield – the Rangers still get no respect: According to Tom Verducci’s article on the Sports Illustrated website Pedro Borbon has come out of retirement and is playing CF for the Rangers. Update: they changed the article to reflect the right player – but originally it said Pedro Borbon. Kind of like the out of town scribes who still refer to the Rangers closer as Neftali Perez.

I’m serious about using the Rally Mantis; as of this morning the Rangers are 3-0 since he showed up on that kid’s head in Baltimore. My suggestion: use some clips of Zorach from “Space Ghost Coast To Coast” (yeah, I used to watch it – I have no idea why).

Still don’t think Vlad Guerrero is back on track – he hit a big fat meatball that Kevin Millwood served up on Sunday – yet the HR barely cleared the fence. In the 83 games he played in (pre-All Star Break) – he had a total of 30 K’s. Since the All-Star break in 35 games he already has 22 K’s, only 8 extra base hits out of the 33 hits in those same games. Really think the Rangers should explore other DH options this off-season before they consider agreeing to pick-up Vlad’s option.

Did anyone see the clip of RHP Roy Oswalt playing OF in the Phillies extra inning game the other night? If not – click here.

By the way, where are all the critics who blasted the Rangers for not taking Rick Porcello in the 2007 draft? Last time I checked Porcello was 5-11 with 5.76 ERA and had spent some time at AAA Toledo this season. The Rangers pick from the 2007 draft is one of the reasons Cliff Lee is now a Ranger – which pitcher would you rather have on the mound this season?

Finally: In the spirit of self-help, self-promotion, and self-expression: Post Game Therapy will continue until I’m cured or committed or the season ends (whatever happens first).

Stealing a line from Steven Wright: “I was in a speed reading accident. I hit a book mark and flew across the room” -- Marla Hooch
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8/22 Post Game Therapy

2010-08-23T07:46:00.000-05:00

Dear Chuck Morgan -

Eureka! I think Josh and Tom have found the Rangers answer to the Rally Monkey:

It's a new week, a homestand, and back to an 8 game lead in the AL West.

Trying to be a little more optimistic -- Marla Hooch
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8/21 Post Game Therapy Update

2010-08-22T09:06:00.002-05:00

When I wrote the post, it looked like the A's had the game "in the bag" - but the Rays did the same thing to Oakland that they did to the Rangers.

However, it still doesn't change the fact that this Texas team is playing terrible right now. Think about it: Oakland has played .500 baseball this month (9-9) and they've gained on the Rangers in the standings.

Still disgusted and disheartened -- Marla Hooch
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8/21 Post Game Therapy

2010-08-21T22:29:00.001-05:00

Now just a 6 game lead ahead of the A's who are in Arlington next weekend.

"Does anyone here know how to play this game?" -- Marla Hooch (quoting the great Casey Stengel)
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8/20 Post Game Therapy

2010-08-20T21:22:00.001-05:00

Okay, okay, since I whined most of the week, I have to acknowledge a good performance.

The picture on the left was taken in August 2002 (I think, it might have been July) - it's CJ Wilson making his first start in AA. I drove up to Tulsa to watch it, and snapped this very small picture - it's an ancient "photograph" not digital.

That's why I love minor league baseball: you watch the guys as they grow, get smarter, get better and get to the Major Leagues.

Nice game CJ and thanks for being "the stopper" -- Marla Hooch

Thought For The Day

2010-08-20T09:59:00.000-05:00

From Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas:

"In the meantime, playoff contending teams figure out a way to win despite key losses during stretches of the season. The Rangers must do that now. They need reserve players to step up and make smart decisions. They've gotten a break in that the Angels and A's haven't gone on any long winning streak in the last week or two. But those teams could close the gap quickly if the Rangers don't start hitting."

As always with the Rangers - easier said than done.

Oh, and by the way - if you look at the ESPN "Hunt for October" standings this morning, the Rangers playoff opponent has now changed to the inevitable: The Yankees. All because Oakland figured out a way to do something last night that Texas cannot do - beat the Rays.

I've earned my Ranger Pessimissim the hard way, after 30 years of watching this team implode more often than not (including that miserable 1-9 record in the playoffs) I just can't be convinced that the Rangers are real contenders. This team has broken my baseball heart too often and are doing it again.

Can't do it, won't go there, I should know better -- Marla Hooch
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8/19 Post Game Therapy

2010-08-19T22:08:00.000-05:00

I'm wondering if Colby is wishing he'd stayed in Japan right about now -- Marla Hooch

8/18 Post Game Therapy

2010-08-18T15:36:00.000-05:00

Listen closely, do you hear that sound?

Whoosh....Swoon

Deep Sigh -- Marla Hooch

8/17 Post Game Therapy

2010-08-17T22:14:00.001-05:00

It's not time.

Nope, it isn't.

I don't want to hear that tired old cliche "we've got to tip our hat to the other guy, he pitched well." That excuse doesn't work.

The Rays are the most likely opponent if there is a post-season for the Rangers. You don't tip your hat to a better pitcher in a five game series - you just go home with you tail between your legs the same way Texas did in 1996, 1998 and 1999.

The Rangers could still win the AL West, but this series was a test for both teams, you know which one failed miserably.

Glad there's a day game tomorrow while I'm at work so I don't have to watch any more embarassing baseball -- Marla Hooch
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8/16 Post Game Therapy

2010-08-17T09:25:00.004-05:00

I need to talk it out. Since the healthplan at work doesn’t cover trips to the psychologist/psychiatrist, I’m going to use the public plan – which means this blog.

For the first time since I can remember, I didn’t stick through to the bitter end of a Rangers game, I just couldn’t last night. So, I fired up the DVR - “time-shifted” (the newly created euphemism I learned this morning) and watched Sunday’s episode of “Mad Men”.

Here are my reader’s digest comments about that episode:

Pete’s finally growing a pair.
Peggy’s about to get her consciousness raised.
It’s the dawn of psychedelia and that swirling sinkhole Don is in is getting bigger.
There’s never enough Roger.
I still can't get over the fact that Lane is played by Richard Harris's son.

Best moment of the evening: Peggy standing on her desk peeking over the partition/wall at an unnerved Don Draper. As satisfying a moment for her as there has been during the four season run of this show.

About the game: after I read Ron Washington’s comments this morning it’s nice to know that he’s finally figured out what most of us have known for a while: post-injury Joaquin Arias is a waste of roster space. Let’s hope Brandon Boggs (who I really like) takes some extra pre-game fly balls with Gary Pettis today.

Get Well Soon: Michael, Ian and Nelson.

Finally: let me tell you about what happened to me thirty-three years ago yesterday. There were severe thunderstorms all over Lucas County Ohio. My mother was driving my Grandmother Czajka to a oncologist appointment on the other side of town when the tornado sirens went off. There was a funnel cloud sighted not that far from where we lived. Me, my sisters and our neighbors from across the street hurried down to the basement (the neighbors didn’t have a basement or storm shelter). We’re sitting there nervously, listening to best local storm source: WSPD radio. Remember this was the age way before cell phones – we had no idea where my Mom and Grandma were at. All of the sudden, in the middle of the storm information the newsman breaks in with a news bulletin – I’m thinking nuclear war – and instead announces the death of Elvis Presley. I about threw the radio across the basement. There’s a possibly devastating storm, and we’re worried about my Mom and Grandma – and he’s talking about Elvis. That might have been where celebrity news started its ascendancy and real news its decline. All’s well that ended well: the storm was not too bad, Mom and Grandma made it home safely (with my Grandmother telling my Mom “you drive, I’ll pray”) and last time I checked Elvis is still dead.

I feel better now, hope I feel even better after tonight’s game -- Marla Hooch
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A Really Big Show

2010-08-16T08:32:00.003-05:00

Sunday Night 8:00 p.m. – everyone watched. For many years one episode from February 1964 had the highest ratings of any television show ever (yeah, yeah, yeah). The musical “Forever Plaid” (which literally ran forever at the now closed Casa Manana Downtown) contained a hilarious 2 minute parody. Of course, I’m talking about the Ed Sullivan Show.

Why bring that up? Good question – because I couldn’t think of anything else to start out with this morning.

But seriously, last week was a big series for the Rangers – facing the Yankees and the Red Sox always is and will be. However, in my mind the “really big show” is the next 3 days. If the season ended today – the Rangers October opponent would be the Tampa Bay Rays. How these games play out the next three days might be a bigger test for this Ranger team than anything that happened on the last homestand. It’s going to be a “really big show”.

Remembering Topo Gigio, Senor Wences and the guy with the spinning plates -- Marla Hooch

P.S. The best thing about yesterday’s win – seeing Chuck Greenberg sitting out in the bleachers with the fans. By the way: when are Tom and Josh going to do another one of their broadcast's from the bleachers?
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A Night To Remember

2010-08-14T12:10:00.006-05:00

When you write a knee-jerking type blog entry like I did after Wednesday night’s game, then it stands to reason that it’s probably a good idea to write a blog entry when the Rangers play a game that is the polar opposite the next time out.

Sounds like a good idea, so I will.

Friday night’s game was the first official game for Texas new ownership group Rangers Baseball Express. The thing that struck me immediately was that as last night’s game unfolded it was an uncanny parallel of Nolan Ryan and Chuck Greenberg’s seemingly uphill trip to the owner’s box.

Bottom Of The First Inning: Nelson Cruz singles, Josh Hamilton scores, Rangers lead 1-0

Let’s start in December: after MLB cordially invited Tom Hicks to put the Rangers up for sale, three bidders are vetted and approved to submit bids for the Rangers including the Ryan/Greenberg group.

Bottom Of The Second Inning: Elvis Andrus singles, Mitch Moreland scores, Rangers lead 2-0

Late January: the Ryan/Greenberg group is selected to negotiate the purchase of the Rangers. Initial reports say the sale would be finalized by Opening Day in April

Top Of The Third Inning: Jed Lowrie homers – Rangers lead cut to 2-1

April: Opening Day comes and goes, but fans are assured the sale will take place soon.

Top Of The Fourth Inning: 3 HR’s, 4 more runs score on singles and fielder’s choice by the Red Sox – Rangers are behind 8-2

Late April – Early May: all hell breaks loose as the jilted lenders for HSG dig in and start clamoring for their pound of unsecured flesh from the new ownership group since Tom Hicks refuses to pay back the loans he took out (which the lenders foolishly gave him without any personal guarantees or collateral).

Bottom Of The Fourth Inning: Mitch Moreland Homers - the lead is cut to 8-4

Late May: In a effort to extricate themselves from the catfight between the lenders and HSG the Rangers declare bankruptcy and submit a pre-packaged plan that could finalize the sale by mid June.

Bottom Of The Fifth Inning – Michael Young Homers, Josh Hamilton homers – the lead is cut down to 8-6

Early July: As the bankruptcy drags on, the Rangers GM pulls off an amazing trade for the best pitcher in baseball – snatching Cliff Lee at the last minute from the clutches of the hated Yankees while barely affecting the Rangers frozen payroll.

Top Of The Seventh Inning – JD Drew homers – Red Sox increase their lead to 9-6

Late July:- The legal actions become mired in more claims, counter claims and motions, the judge appoints a CRO whose solution to the situation is an auction of the Texas Rangers baseball team. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who at first said he wanted to act as a “backstop” to the Ryan/Greenberg group – decides to bid on the Rangers, joining Jim Crane (one of the bidders from back in December).

Bottom Of The Seventh Inning - Josh Hamilton scores on a David Murphy sac fly, Bengie Molina’s rare hit scores Nelson Cruz – but the Rangers are still behind 9-8

August 4th: The Greenberg/Ryan group makes one last attempt to offer a bid directly to the lenders to avoid the auction, but the group brokering Mr. Hicks sale of the Dallas Stars (who also happens to be a creditor) vetoes the proposal – so the Rangers will be auctioned. There are only 2 groups bidding: Cuban/Crane and Ryan/Greenberg. Accusations and curses fill the courtroom and the halls outsides. Mark Cuban struts confidently around the courthouse ordering pizza. Stories are written and saved as drafts on laptops proclaiming Cuban the new owner.

However, earlier in the week, Chuck Greenberg had posted this message on Facebook: “Keep the faith”.

Bottom Of The Eighth Inning – Vlad Guerrero slides into first on an improbable infield single while uber-player Josh Hamilton scores from second sliding around the catcher’s tag – the score is tied 9-9.

August 4th : Late, late in the evening the Ryan/Greenberg group revise their bid taking out some of the “onerous” portions (the most onerous portion removed cuts out Tom Hicks from any association with the Rangers and the new ownership group) The major financial backers of the Ryan/Greenberg group at the courthouse and appear to be “all in” with their support of the Rangers Baseball Express escalated bids.

Bottom Of The Eleventh Inning: Nelson Cruz, a player who bounced back in forth between the major league team and the minors, was placed and not claimed on waivers, but has emerged as one of the core players for this team hits the first pitch by Tim Wakefiled into the left field seats – Rangers Win 10-9

Early morning August 5th : Cuban/Crane place their largest bid – Ryan/Greenberg place their counter bid (a few moments later in Seattle Michael Young hits a grand slam HR against the Mariners in another Ranger comeback) Jim Crane walks into the courtroom and shakes Nolan Ryan’s hand and says “we’re done” – Rangers Baseball Express comes back to win the auction.

Rangers Baseball Express faced setbacks and obstacles just like their team did with the ostensibly devastating loss to the Yankees last Wednesday. Yet the Ryan/Greenberg group did not panic, they persevered the same way Ron Washington’s crew did Friday night. Nolan and Chuck kept their eyes on the prize, did not fall prey to the media distractions and reached their goal. Last night Josh, Michael, Mitch, David, Vlad and Nelson did the same, as they have done so all of this season.

As a fan, it’s easy to adopt the “football mentality” living in Texas – where fate is determined in less than 20 games and only once a week. Just like Rangers Baseball Express has done since January – I need to “keep the faith” with this Rangers team.

Obdurate! -- Marla Hooch

P.S. TR Sullivan said it best in his game story – Josh Hamilton last night – “one of the greatest all-around games by a single player in Rangers history”

The Bluest Skies You've Ever Seen Are In Seattle....

2010-08-12T20:47:00.001-05:00

What relatively obscure 1970's television show had those lyrics in it's theme song? (Hint: Perry Como actually had a modest hit with it).

While you are thinking about that you can look through some of my pictures from the Rangers/Mariners games in Seattle by clicking right here.

-- Marla
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Random Thoughts And A Rant

2010-08-12T10:52:00.003-05:00

The original title for this post was “ I went to Safeco Field and saw the Mariner Moose scratch his behind” – but I couldn’t get the camera turned on in time to get that picture.

The Marla Hooch Entourage headed for the Pacific Northwest last week for some Rangers/Mariners baseball and some nice cool R & R. Let’s put ourselves back in a happy place: last week Thursday we were basking in the glow of a 2 game win streak over the M’s then closing the ledger on the bankruptcy fiasco with Chuck Greenberg and Nolan Ryan winning the auction (with the added bonus of eliminating Tom Hicks completely from their ownership group) 70 degree temperatures in Seattle and the Pioneer Square Saloon. Deep sigh - that was short lived.

Meanwhile:
-- Can someone explain why Cristian Guzman is on this team? So far he hasn’t done anything that Andres Blanco couldn’t do, and Blanco at least gets a hit every once in a while.

-- Bengie Molina appears to be a class act, but I am really worried about the reports I’m reading that the Rangers would like to keep him as a primary catcher for next season – really? Remember that series in Boston where the Rangers stole a record number of bases on Victor Martinez, I think we better get ready to see that same thing happen to us in Tampa Bay next week. Molina may be great in the clubhouse and with the pitchers, but he has absolutely no mobility and his throwing arm just plain terrible. The most important thing to keep in mind: should the Rangers reach the playoffs (and that is NOT a given a this point in my mind) they would most likely face the Rays – just the thought of having Molina behind the plate while Carl Crawford and company run wild gives me a queasy stomach. Much as I like the idea of a “crafty veteran presence” in the clubhouse – keeping Bengie Molina doesn’t fit my ideal for that role.

-- Which leads nicely to my next random thought: since the Rangers have given up on Chris Davis, then maybe that role of “crafty veteran presence” for next season needs to be at 1B. I like Mitch Moreland, but is he really the Rangers cornerstone 1B of the future or just the bat they need at the bottom of the lineup to get through this season? By the way, I firmly believe that Chris Davis may be a “late bloomer” a la Nelson Cruz (but it won’t take until he’s 29 to get there) I hope he winds up with an AL team, and I hope every time gets a big hit against the Rangers or makes a spectacular defensive play that JD and the Front Office visibly flinch.

-- Does anyone see the resemblance between Vlad Guerrero and Sammy Sosa (circa 2007) since the All-Star break? Do we need to tap the brakes on the notion of picking up Vlad’s option for next season?

-- Is anyone else worried about the intermittent offense? I know I am and so is Jim Reeves – his column on that subject from ESPN.com is a must read.

Finally: A Rant

We keep hearing that the Rangers are a different team than the one the Yankees swept in April, that they are different than the teams that the Yankees embarrassed into submission during the playoffs in the late ‘90’s. Frankly, I think that’s a bunch of baloney. As warm and fuzzy as everyone felt about Tuesday’s win, the truth is the Rangers are still 1-4 against the Yanks this season.

If Cliff Lee had any doubts about signing with New York and staying with the Texas beyond this season, they were probably erased by Wednesday night’s game. He saw and felt first hand the Rangers two major organizational flaws.

The first is the heat – Cliff brought it up in his post game interviews, which is telling. If it really didn’t bother him or play a role – why even bring it up? It’s a factor that, unfortunately, no-one can do anything about right now (but I still see a day when the Rangers move to a downtown Dallas retractable roof stadium – maybe even when their lease is up in Arlington). Maybe JD and company need to spend less time trading pitching away for useless second baseman and over the hill catchers and spend more time developing a Cliff Lee type who is not a three month rental that will leave to escape the heat.

The other, and more important is that elusive “killer instinct”. I think there’s a valid argument that the Rangers team on the field last night was almost equally as talented as the Yanks. Yet the Yanks beat the Rangers because they have patient, unflappable players, they make things happen in tight situations. They never ever let up. They grind their opponents down. As an organization, the Rangers have never ever done that.

During Wednesday’s game Josh Lewin was doing the numbers saying if the Rangers played .500 baseball for the rest of the season the A’s or Angels would have play almost .700 ball to catch them. I think he meant that as an accolade, however, Josh wasn’t here in 1996 when the Rangers had a 9 game division lead on September 1st, then less than 2 weeks later were clinging to a 1 game lead over the Mariners. The Rangers are 4-5 in August, and more importantly 2-3 against teams they need to beat (Oakland and New York). Good teams don’t let up and just play .500 baseball, they put their foot on the gas and keep pouring it on – that’s not the Texas Rangers.

Does anyone remember the 1999 season when they could’ve set a franchise record for wins during the last week of the season instead they were swept by the Angels and then, of course, by the Yankees. The Rangers had leads in two of the games they played in New York earlier this year, and a five run in the 7th inning last night yet the outcome of all those games was inevitable.

In my never humble opinion: the Rangers need to put the “deer antlers” signal on hold until they stop freezing up and looking like a deer caught in headlights every time they play true contender like the Yankees.

Not thinking about “magic” numbers, or saving money for playoff tickets -- Marla Hooch
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It's Time

2010-08-05T17:49:00.000-05:00

The Marla Hooch Entourage is in Seattle this week - so I'm blogging from a bad computer - but had to weigh in on the events of late August 4th / Early August 5th -

"and there was much rejoicing throughout the land"

Going out for a few celebratory brews after watching the game at Safeco tonight -- Marla Hooch

A Letter To Bud Selig

2010-07-30T15:14:00.000-05:00

I was working on a nice juicy post full "hot sports opinions" on everything that's going on with the Rangers (for example: no worries Jon Daniels - Chris Davis is Nelson Cruz - you'll trade him somewhere else and your lack patience will come back to haunt you).

But then I got the Google alert about the Rangers Auction which made me delete the entire blog entry. I hate that there is anything that puts a damper on this magical season - but there is. So - here is my open letter to the Commissioner of Major League Baseball.

Dear Bud,

I do not, under any circumstances, want Mark Cuban to become the owner of the Texas Rangers.

-- Marla Hooch

Words Of Wisdom From Revo

2010-07-30T09:38:00.000-05:00

I am so glad Jim Reeves is still writing - even though he's technically retired. Today's column on ESPN.com is a required reading for all Ranger fans - especially those with short memories.

Those of us who developed ulcers in September 1996 remember it well.

Click HERE to read.

-- Marla Hooch

Deep Sigh.....

2010-07-17T21:20:00.001-05:00

I'm betting right now Cliff Lee is sitting in front of his locker wishing that trade with the Yankees hadn't fallen apart.

P.S. Could someone please give Vlad a few baserunning tips? -- Marla Hooch

Cringing While I Type

2010-07-06T10:58:00.000-05:00

You will never see the following written on this blog again:

This morning I love Ozzie Guillen.

As a Ranger fan you have to feel that way today – Ozzie saved the day with his White Sox defeating the Angels last night. No shame for LAA losing to a resurgent Chicago, nothing but shame for Rangers losing to the team with the second worst record in the AL.

What to do? The pitching staff, which only 2 weeks ago where the wheels driving the bus has run into a tough stretch and now has 2 flat tires (Scott Feldman and “the pitcher du jour” for the fifth spot). I suppose the catching issue has been solved, for now, although it would be nice to have a catcher who could throw out a runner every once a while – for example Travis Hafner who hasn’t stolen a base in 2 years, but managed to do so (and score from 2nd) last night. What about 1B? In the last 20 games (since June 13th) the current 1B is 13 for 74 – .175 BA with 9 BB and 20 K – that was enough to get the previous 1B demoted. Since the end of the win streak on 6/25 this is a .500 team, it reminds me of that saying Baseball Mom loves to use: “Can’t stand prosperity.”

A few happier thoughts:

Speaking of 1B – our good friend Jason Botts playing with AAA Syracuse Chiefs (Washington) is hitting .486 in his last 10 games (.321 overall) with 3 HR, 13 RBI, 3 BB and 4K.

The Closer and White Collar start airing new episodes this month, and Mad Men will return late this month too. I love the fact that cable stations actually run new programs during the summer – although it does cut into my reading time.

From the bookshelf - quick reviews: The Bullpen Gospels – is a must read – descrption on the dust jacket says a combination of Ball Four and Bull Durham - right on target - (thanks to the friend to recommended – you were so right). Let The Great World Spin – set on the day Phillipe Petite did his high wire walk between the Twin Towers in 1974 - it won the National Book Award last year – not sure why – an interesting book but I didn’t think it was particularly outstanding. Shanghai Girls – couldn’t put it down - if you liked the Joy Luck Club you’ll like this book – I hope there is a sequel in the works.

Finally, the Marla Hooch Entourage is heading for Round Rock this Friday and Saturday for some Redhawks/Express baseball – just in time (we hope) to see the newly promoted Blake Beavan pitch!

I’m not pressing the panic button, but I did dust it off last night. -- Marla Hooch

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Dear Angel Fans:

2010-07-01T07:40:00.001-05:00

Now you know how Ranger fans felt every time he stepped up to the plate against us the last 6 years.

Big Bad Vlad still has something left in the tank -- Marla Hooch
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My Friend Jamey Newberg

2010-06-29T22:22:00.000-05:00

I've been sitting here most of the evening in front of an white screen trying to calm my irrational urge to write a blog entry that I'd probably wind up deleting, this is the result.

After TR Sullivan left and Jim Reeves retired the quality of the Star Telegram sports page took a giant step backwards, today Randy Galloway and Barry Schlacter took it to a new low

For 12 years I've worked on the Newberg Report with Jamey. I admire his passion, intelligence and most of all his undying loyalty to our favorite baseball team.

Whatever was said and written today doesn't matter and means absolutely nothing to me. Jamey remains one of my most trusted friends and I am very proud to able to say that.

"Think where man's glory most begins and ends, And say my glory was I had such friends." -- William Butler Yeats

-- Jamey Newberg's friend Eleanor Czajka (aka Marla Hooch)
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FIFA World Cup, Bull Durham and Biblical Baseball Stars

2010-06-21T11:58:00.000-05:00

Americans are so provincial: we call all of our professional championships “world championships” – which is probably the biggest misnomer in all of sports. I remember reading a quote (I think it was Orioles IF John Lowenstein) who said something to the effect of “yes I screwed up that bunt, but there are 800 million Chinese people who don’t care if I can bunt”. The truth in that statement is that there is a entire world full sports fans who could care less about Steven Strasburg’s next start, but were hanging on every minute of New Zealand’s tie with Italy on Sunday morning in South Africa.

As a Rangers baseball fan living in the shadow of the Blue and Silver star, I’m sure when you’ve admitted your loyalties you’ve had many people roll their eyes and tell you that they could never watch baseball because it’s too slow or like watching paint dry (which in my opinion pretty much describes the NFL). It gets under your nerves when they say that doesn’t it ? You are a rabid baseball fan, you’d like to explain to them all intricacies of the game and what they are missing. Vuvuzelas aside, then you know how the rest of the world feels about soccer – they are fervent fans too. I respect that am will to admit that I’m learning something new (and enjoying) watching the World Cup too.

Speaking of respect: these words of wisdom come from Crash Davis:

“A ballplayer on a streak has to respect the streak. They don't happen very often.”

Just as during a no-hitter/perfect game real fans don’t talk about it, players on the bench don’t mention it to each other and don’t even talk to the pitcher in the midst of one. In that same spirit I am respecting the streak the Rangers are on right now, they’ve just finished the eighth inning. By the way: announcers aren’t supposed to talk about it either – Eric Nadel never does. Can’t always say the same for our TV crew (I’m looking at you Josh Lewin).

Finally: this biblical comparison courtesy of my DTFC pal Jeff Kabcinski:

“If Steve Strasburg is baseball’s Jesus and Livan Hernandez is baseball’s Lazarus, then Jamie Moyer is baseball’s Methuselah.”

Amen.

Thrilled, Nervous, not blowing my horn (yet) -- Marla Hooch

It's A Bit Drafty In Here

2010-06-08T11:27:00.000-05:00

It's time....for the 2010 Draft. The normal nonsense is delayed this week while we track the Rangers draft picks for the Newberg Report on the Minor Details page. Tune in and see if the Rangers draft the next Cole Hammels or the next Donald Harris.

-- Marla Hooch

Memorial Day 2010

2010-05-29T09:28:00.001-05:00

"They are not dead who live in lives they leave behind. In those whom they have blessed they live a life again."—Eleanor Roosevelt

As of September 2009 there are:

-- 1,027,000 American Vietnam Veterans still living, their average age is 60-68

-- 3,900,000 American Korean War Veterans still living, their average age is 76-88 – a percentage of those veterans also served in World War II

-- 2,272,000 American World War II veterans still living, their average age is 85-90

-- 1 American World War I veteran is still living: his name is Frank Woodruff Buckles, he is 109 years old. He was also taken prisoner (as a civilian) by the Japanese in World War II

These remaining soldiers served with men and women who died so that:

-- there is still a Cardinals – Cubs rivalry,
-- Keith Olberman and Bill O’Reilly can argue their views without censorship,
-- Barnes and Noble and Legacy Bookstore can co-exist,
-- Green’s Produce Market and Whole Foods can both prosper in the same town,
-- I can sit at my computer this morning to write this blog entry.

In December 2000, the US Congress passed PL-106-579 establishing a National Moment of Remembrance to be observed each Memorial Day at 3:00 P.M.

Not all of us can remember to pause at that moment on Monday, but none of us should ever forget of the great and tragic sacrifice that is at the heart of this holiday.

-- Marla Hooch

June 1st

2010-05-25T10:45:00.000-05:00

One week from today is June 1st. During my childhood that was a magical date.

June 1st was nearly always the beginning of summer vacation, it meant:

-- Playing tag in the grapevines in Uncle John and Aunt Mitzi’s backyard

--Mowing the lawn and weeding the garden, which I liked to do and avoiding housework (which I hated, and still do)

-- Loading up on books at the Reynolds Corner library every Wednesday afternoon

-- Singing in the choir for countless Friday night and Saturday morning weddings at Our Lady of Lourdes church. I always looked forward to Saturday “doubleheaders” (two weddings in one day) Father Ray would give us money to run over to Jerry’s Variety Store across the street to get sodas and candy in between services.

-- The smell of citronella candles in the evenings as we sat out on the side porch visiting with neighbors and friends.

-- Standing in the damp grass at all hours of the night with the New Mexico Bean and her telescope looking at planets and constellations.

-- Playing badminton in the backyard, trying to keep the volleys going as long as possible while not hitting the bats that flew overhead as the sun set back over Uncle Walt’s yard.

-- White Hut Hamburgers, Dudley’s Hot Dogs, the Jesse James Drive-In (I remember going there to see “Help” The guys in the next car got out and sat in an empty space on a blanket next to a speaker because the girls in their car were screaming and giggling very loudly over the Beatles songs and dialogue).

-- An all day trip to the Toledo Zoo (remember the polar bears and the train?) , or to the Toledo Art Museum (“Night Smells” and the open mummy case), and sometimes to the beach at Marblehead, Ohio by my Godmother (Aunt Eleanor’s) house.

-- During the day the little red, white and blue transistor radio was always tuned to : The “Big 8” – CKLW (a clear channel station based in Windsor, Ontario but the station was really all about Detroit). Pat Holiday, Ted Richards, 20-20 News with Byron MacGregor and Jo-Jo the traffic girl (it’s amazing how much I knew about Detroit traffic problems).

The other day I was checking out the music stations on my television satellite skipping between the 60’s, 70’s and 80’channels, when I realized how many songs I associate with summer: “Indian Reservation” (Paul Revere and the Raiders). “Mama Told Me Not Come” (3 Dog Night), "Paperback Writer" (The Beatles), "The Love You Save" (Jackson 5), "American Woman" (The Guess Who) and “Rock The Boat” (Hues Corporation)

Does anyone remember the song “Troglodyte”? (“She was a big woman, her name was Bertha….”)

In fact a couple of those summer songs have wound up sharing the Arizona sun with me on my Spring Training CDs “All Right Now” (Free) and “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl)” (Looking Glass).

In the evening you moved the dial to 760 WJR, Tigers play by play from George Kell and Ernie Harwell.

It’s easy to look back through the softened lenses of time to remember the bliss and freedom of summer. That seemed like a good idea this morning when I opened the paper and fired up the computer only to read a perplexing maze legal speculation about a part of my life that should be just as joyous and exhilarating as those summers past.

Today, I’d rather just think about June 1st and smile. – Marla Hooch
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Bullet Points

2010-05-23T21:05:00.002-05:00

Another Sunday, another night I can't figure out what to write, so here are few random bullet points.

A couple of weeks ago I speculated that Matt Treanor might be the Kevin Elster (1996) type player on this Rangers team. Today, I’m thinking probably not. However, I have found a couple of other comparisons to that magical team.

Josh Hamilton=Dean Palmer, think about it – Dean could strike out with the best of them, and he was a very streaky hitter – but when he was good – he was really good. I’ve thought that Josh was somewhere in between his 2008 season and 2009 – they were both too extreme – don’t get me wrong – that’s a compliment to Josh, and I actually think he’s a better all around player than Dean, but he will be prone to the streakiness, and I can live with that.

Darren Oliver=…wait a minute Darren Oliver was on that 1996 team. By the way do you remember that no starting pitcher on that team won more than 16 games? But the rotation was very reliable and balanced the four main starters all won at least 14 games: Ken Hill (16), Roger Pavlik (15) Bobby Witt (16) and Darren Oliver (14).

Let’s see: lost 3 in Toronto, swept 4 games from the Angels and Orioles, then lost 2 out 3 to the Cubs – that’s a .500 team (oh, and by the way lost ground to Oakland who are now just 2 games in back of the Rangers). I still can’t put a label on this Rangers team other than inconsistent.

Draft day is only a couple of weeks away one of my favorite days of the baseball calendar. However, I can’t help but be a little hesitant about how the ownership mess is going to affect the Rangers choices. MLB still controlling the purse strings – are the Rangers going to have to add a phrase to their usual mantra on draft day: “The best player available…that we can afford to sign”. Make no mistake about it- Bud Selig believes that team should stick with the “slot” bonus system that MLB recommends (and most teams do not follow). He wasn’t afraid to use the Rangers as an example of his financial prudence last season with Matthew Purke, and with 2 early picks this year, things could get ugly, really ugly on draft day.

Of course the Rangers haven’t had much luck with their first round draft picks for the last 5 years: I’ve already mentioned the Purke fiasco, John Mayberry (2005) is in the minor leagues with the Phillies, Kasey Kiker (2006) is in his second full season at AA Frisco, appears to be taking a big step backward with 5.73 ERA (and is currently on the DL) and then there’s Justin Smoak hitting .165 – but hey, he takes a lot of walks, which is what you want your first baseman to do. By the way Chris Davis at OKC hitting .327 with 22 RBI. The bright spot in this gloomy group: Blake Beavan – 2.88 ERA, 9 BB, 37 K’s and has lasted 8 innings in his last 2 games he started.

Speaking of the ownership situation: I’ve read that the creditors would like to push the Rangers into bankruptcy – but here’s my question. The primary creditor is Monarch – who bought “bad date” for less than HSG actually owed. Is a bankruptcy judge going to look at that and say – hey fella’s you knew you were buying bad debt, if you can’t collect it, that’s not the court’s problem? Just wondering.

I know I should be happy the Rangers are in the thick of things in the AL West, but I still get the impression that this is a team with no clear sense of direction, from the owner’s office right on down to the dugout. I keep waiting for something or someone to grab control of the wheel and star steering this organization forward.

“Worry gives small things a big shadow” – a Swedish Proverb

-- Marla Hooch
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Monday Night In Arlington - Rangers 4 - Angels 3

2010-05-17T22:54:00.000-05:00

First of all - many thanks to Norma, George and Ryan for inviting me to tag along tonight - I was a little afraid the weather was going to cancel our field trip, but thank goodness it didn't.

Apologies to Julio, Nelson, Neftali and Elvis who deserve props - but in my inflated opinion - the star of the game was Darren Oliver who showed everyone how to get it done.

Old people rule! -- Marla Hooch

Pondering

2010-05-12T19:55:00.001-05:00

Here’s the issue:

I know this blog isn’t about breaking news – you have plenty of other sources for that on the web.

This blog, I hope, isn’t about knee-jerking and rants. In the four years I’ve been writing, I’d like to think I’ve limited my emotional responses – although there have been a few.

It’s not about analysis – I’m not a stat head, I’m not a pseudo scout, I don’t pretend to know more than I actually do – which is not much.

What I do is write what I think and see – and I attempt to do it with a semblance of consideration, and style. I try to write each entry with some kind of theme that ties it together, maybe makes it a slightly more interesting read and justifies that college degree my parents paid for.

Do I write about the continuing defensive problems with this team that are really starting to bother me? Once again – the manager’s supposed calling card is “catch and throw” – yet it’s almost two months into the season and the Rangers overall defense has been …disappointing. (They are 9th the AL in fielding percentage have 22 errors).

Do I write about the schizophrenic road trip with a inflating sweep of Seattle followed by a deflating 1-2 series against the A’s. Including the 2009 season the Rangers are 5-9 when they play in Oakland. Does anyone remember how Mark Holtz used to call Exhibtion Stadium in Toronto the “voodoo palace” – I think the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum has taken that mantle.

Do I write about the book that my stepbrother Rob gave me “The Baseball Codes”? It starts out with the entire backstory of the infamous Ryan-Ventura confrontation. I’m about ½ way through the book right now – so far it’s pretty good – I’ll write more about it when I’ve finished reading it all the way through.

Do I write about Dallas Branden’s perfect game – and that he is probably the most annoying pitcher to throw one since David Wells? But I did love his grandmother’s comments – I know plenty of Seattle and Texas fans who’d love to say the same thing to Yankees third baseman.

Do I write about the quietly amazing Frisco Roughriders who are 19-13 leading their division by 3 games in spite of team batting average of .248 and the third worst ERA in the Texas League at 3.72. I’m going to see the Riders this weekend – I’ll have a game report (or two) to write about next week.

Do I put in a link to this terrific story about Doug Mathis (written by our pal TR Sullivan) on the extra meaning in his Mother’s Day win.

Do I write about the ownership situation. No , I don’t think so, too much ink and bandwith have been wasted on this - the problem being none of those writing these articles are financial and/or legal experts – it’s all just speculation – much of it with an agenda. What I do know is that all the parties involved are awfully quiet – it reminds me of that line from an old Bugs Bunny cartoon “it’s quiet out there – too quiet”.

Do I try to find that quote from the late Dock Ellis (and I’m paraphrasing) that every season around Memorial Day is about the time that you can judge what a team is going to do because “the men stand up and the boys sit down”. Memorial Day is only 18 days (and 16 Ranger games) from the day I’m writing this entry.

Finally – well, look at that I did find a way to write something this week for the blog.

I think, therefore I am -- Marla Hooch

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Lilac Time

2010-05-04T11:30:00.004-05:00

It’s Lilac time in Ohio. We had more lilac bushes than I could count in our yard at the house where I grew up. I remember May mornings when we could finally open the windows a little, the fragrance of lilacs wafting in while we ate breakfast. As you’ve probably already figured out, lilacs are my favorite flower, I really miss them. Lilac time also means it’s May, and I think about time to figure out what we know about the Rangers at this point.

1. This team can pitch – most of the time. I like the starting pitching (Rich Harden included), I like the middle relievers (but I worry about over using Darren Oliver). I don’t think the dual closer is a good idea (see last night’s game). Feliz should close the majority of games, if he’s pitched several days in a row, then I guess we’ll be subjected to Frank (although I’d rather see Chris Ray used as closer if Feliz can’t do it that day). This is repeating myself: Francisco has not been the same since his stint on the DL last season – and that has continued. The manager’s stubborn refusal to acknowledge that and adjust the bullpen accordingly could turn out to be a big problem in as close a race as the AL west is likely to be.

2. This team is playing terrible defense. What happened? This is basically the same team that played excellent defense last season (well, except at 1B). Right now it looks like the Rangers are going to win games by pitching – which means they’ll need defense to help that pitching – and it’s not been a help so far. Don’t discount defense, as was pointed out in the Startlegram mailbag last week: “The Angels execute when asked to bunt or hit-and-run, they don’t make a bunch of defensive miscues” and that’s part of the reason they’ve won the AL the last three seasons.

3. This team can’t hit. As TR Sullivan mention on his blog: the Rangers hit .224 during the Seattle series with just 2 extra base hits. The reason they swept the series is that the Mariners offense is even worse than the Rangers – and the Mariners handed the Rangers Friday night’s game. Twice this season the Rangers have been no hit for 5 or more innings. While I’m not looking for the offense of the 1998-1999 teams – major league average hitting would be nice. I thought “situational” hitting was the new mantra, but there’s not much this season (other than Elvis Andrus and sometimes Josh Hamilton). I'm wondering if any of the hitters are actually practicing what the hitting coach is preaching. Still looks like “aggressive in the strike zone” to me – and opposing pitchers are taking advantage of that.

A few other random baseball thoughts:

Sell High: After his performance subbing for Ian Kinsler in April, I’m guessing Joaquin Arias’ trade value is probably better than it has been for a couple years. When he comes off the DL it might be the time to explore that possibility rather than wait for his next DL stint.

Somewhere in between: I’ve stopped worrying about Josh Hamilton. I love his arm in LF, I wish there were a way to figure out how many runners haven’t tagged up and advanced, as well as how many runs he’s saved throwing to home. As far as offense, I’ve kind of thought 2008 and 2009 were outliers and that his normal stats will be somewhere in between those highs and lows. By the way has anyone noticed in the last 10 games, he has 13 extra base hits, 11 BB and 13 RBI ?

Ron Washington: “The kid has had a rough time but we're trying to build confidence. We're not going to take him out of there. The way to build confidence is to keep giving kids opportunities.”….unless your name is Chris Davis

Just a thought: Matt Treanor 2010 = Kevin Elster 1996 ?

Old Friends: Our pal Jason Botts playing 1B/OF/DH for the Camden Riversharks (Atlantic Independent League) is hitting .405 with 2 HR and 5 RBI’s in his first 8 games.

Finally: First place on May 4th is nice, first place on September 4th is better.

“A guaranteed miracle,

it happens for two weeks each May,
this bounty of riches
where McMansion, trailer,
the humblest driveway
burst with color—pale lavender,
purple, darker plum—
and glorious scent.”

-- Alice Persons “Stealing Lilacs”

The Best Thing I Heard (And Saw) This Week....

2010-04-29T21:33:00.002-05:00

Kristen Chenoweth and Matthew Morrison's duet of "One Less Bell To Answer/A House Is Not A Home" from "Glee"

(Yes, you have to wait through a PSA first - but trust me - it's worth it)

Fabulous! -- Marla Hooch

Still On The DL

2010-04-23T08:34:00.009-05:00

No blog this week.

My back is still giving me problems, and the rest is too sad (a 3-6 road trip) or too frustrating (Mr. Hicks doing his best Gordon Gekko impersonation) to even think about discussing.

Finally – I don’t wish ill on anyone, but you will never see me write anything nice about Justin Smoak.

-- Marla Hooch

P.S. During the 12 day road trip - if you combine every player (excluding Chris Davis) who had an appearance - the team batting average was .250 with almost twice as many strikeout's (61) as walks (27). The best hitters on the road trip were Elvis Andrus (.500), Joaquin Arias (.333) and Josh Hamilton (.313) while Michael Young hit .235, Julio Borbon hit .133, Vlad hit .200 and Nelson Cruz .214.

Meanwhile Frank Francisco blows another game, Dustin Nippert takes a loss too - but Chris Davis bears the blame for a non-productive offense, a bullpen that lost 2 games, sloppy defense and the fourth poor April under Ron Washington's tenure.

The more things change in the Texas Rangers organization...the more they stay the same.

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It's Not Food Poisoning....

2010-04-18T12:14:00.005-05:00

...but it's pretty darn close.

I am sequestered at Hooch World HQ with some kind of stomach flu and to make things even more interesting my back went out which makes trying to move around (quickly) a real challenge. The miserable outing by the major league team in the Bronx hasn't helped anything - I am down and out - so no blog entry this week.

I did see Martin Perez pitch last week Monday - he showed some flashes of the highly touted prospect - but he also walked as many as he struck out - it was not quite a Bobby Witt like performance - but it's still a batter to batter prospostion - so I'd put those notions of him making an appearance in the major leagues this season on the back burner for now. I'll have pictures from the game online sometime this week - check out the new link to the photo gallery on the left hand menu bar.

I have tickets to the the Rangers game this Friday and serveral tickets for Friscogames during their upcoming homestand - I am hoping for lots of healthy blathering online to follow those games.

Praise The Lord and pass the Pepto Bismol---Marla Hooch

Week 1: It Could Be Worse

2010-04-11T21:02:00.007-05:00

If you are expecting a rant, or hand-wringing, or over-analysis, or statements of disappointment about specific players then I suggest you check out a couple of other well known blogs – because you are not going to find that here.

The most I’ll say about this first week of baseball is that I am very happy the season has started and I’m so glad I’m not an Astros fan.

Six games is exactly 4% of the season, I’ll start: worrying, rejoicing, analyzing and pontificating when the season is well into the double digits (percentage wise – that is).

First Frisco Game Report of the 2010 Season - Springfield vs. Frisco April 8: Had to be in Frisco last Thursday night to see our pal Blake Beavan pitch the Frisco home opener. He was excellent – throwing 68 pitches, gave up 2 hits, struck out three. The early part of the game he was giving up a quite a few fly balls (one of the 2 hits he gave up was a HR), but as the evening progressed he did get those pitches down and if the blue notebook is right threw about the same number of ground balls as fly balls by the time Frisco Manager Steve “Boo” Buchele took him out of the game. I’m guessing if Blake was pitching this game in June that he’d probably have stayed out for at least 1 or 2 more innings. Beavan was relieved by LHP Ben Snyder who was really good his first inning, not quite as good in next giving up a walk and hit which brought “Boo” to the mound with replacement pitching LHP Zach Phillips who didn’t allow the runs to score, and finished the game without incident. Click here for pictures from the game.

As for the Frisco offense, well, they are going to have to win quite a few low scoring pitchers duels this season.

A Rangers Game Report: Mrs. Schmenge and I took Baseball Mom to Friday night’s Mariners/Rangers games. In between discussions of Geoff Peterson (Craig Ferguson fans will understand) why we do or don’t miss Old Arlington Stadium (Mrs. Schmenge does - I can’t explain) and discussing Ichiro’s age (I said he ran pretty well for a guy who is 103 years old) we saw an excellent pitching performance by Colby Lewis, some spectacular fielding by Franklin Gutierrez (c’mon you’ve got to admit he’s pretty darn good) and enjoyed the Big Bad Vlad and Nelson Show.

Of course, my favorite moment of the game, as you probably already know was when the Rangers showed Baseball Mom’s name and wished her a Happy Birthday Shortly after he name was on the CF screen, a very nice young lady delivered a Birthday Gift Bag for Baseball Mom that included a Ranger Red Batting helmet (which I’m sure she’ll wear next time we work at a Newberg Event – so everyone can see it) a Ranger Night Light (it’ll help her cats find the litter box) a 2010 Magnet Schedule (which is going to magically disappear from her refrigerator and wind up on her oldest daughter fridge sometime soon) a nice greeting card and a 2009 Rangers Yearbook - we weren’t sure what it was but the pictures of Rudy Jarmillo and Kris Benson on the first couple of pages gave it away. But seriously, we had a good time, and thanks again to Chuck Morgan for making the day pretty special – and yes click here for pictures from Friday night‘s game.

Finally: I lied – I do have one short piece of hand-wringing, over analysis: Let me start out by saying: I told you so. If you read my blog from last Saturday I said I thought Neftali Feliz would be closing games by the All-Star break – I was right about one thing – he is going to be closing games – but much, much earlier in the season.

I came to my conclusion about Frank Francisco during the last part of 2009. Just watching him pitch after the All –Star break made me nervous and the stats he put up don’t lie. From April-July 2009 he pitched 28 innings, gave up 18 hits, 7 earned runs that translated to an 2.25 ERA and 0.92 WHIP (Walks/Hits per IP) – pretty good for a closer. But, from August through the end of the season in 20 1/3 IP he gave up 22 hits and 14 earned runs. That’s more hits than IP – which is a very, very bad thing for a reliever – it resulted in a 6.19 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. If you add Frank’s IP’s from this season to the numbers since August 2009 – it’s even uglier: 22 1/3 IP – 30 Hits, 20 ER which is an 8.06 ERA and 1.74 WHIP. This is not an isolated “beginning of the season slump” that will work itself out (like some other things on this Ranger team) – this is a trend that continues from last season.

Yes, it’s early – I even said that in the first part of this entry. However, the Rangers have a big challenge with their first road trip playing in Boston and New York. If they are serious about contending then they need to play well against both of these (most certainly) playoff quality teams. Having their closer on the mound "working out his problems" is to say the least - a terrible idea, I'm glad they aren't going to do that.

Will Neftali fare any better than Frankie – that remains to be seen, but really, could it be any worse?

Heading to Frisco for the Martin Perez pitching experience on Monday – Marla Hooch

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Happy Birthday Baseball Mom!

2010-04-09T22:18:00.001-05:00

(and Thank You to Chuck Morgan and Colby Lewis and all the Ranger hitters who made her day at the Ballpark perfect) -- Marla Hooch

Play Ball!

2010-04-05T08:01:00.002-05:00

A co-worker forwarded one of those "kids say the darndest things e-mail's" to me last Friday, the following quote jumped off the page:

"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too." (Greg, age 8)

Greg is wise beyond his years.

Happy Opening Day Everyone! -- Marla Hooch
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If – And – But: Expectations High, Experience Low For The 2010 Rangers

2010-04-03T10:33:00.016-05:00

How often have you heard someone state an opinion with the qualifier “no ifs, ands or buts about it.”? It is a statement which doesn’t leave any room for doubt.

In my never humble opinion: The 2010 Texas Rangers are all “ifs, ands or buts” - which leaves me with many doubts.

A couple of too coy Mariners fans have written that they feel Seattle will have good team “if everything falls into place” another statement based on potential rather than track record. Let’s put a stop to the “aw shucks” pretense coming out of the Pacific Northwest and Los Angeles too: the Angels may have come down to earth some, but they were so much better than everyone else the fall off still leaves them in a better position than the rest of the AL West. While we need to remember the Mariners were only a couple of games behind the Rangers at the end of 2009 - and they didn't have Cliff Lee and Chone Figgins on their team. No team among the three expected to contend for the AL West is basing their expectations more on potential than track record than the Texas Rangers – and “that’s a fact Jack.”

With this in mind we present:

Marla Hooch’s If Barely Statistical And Completely Biased But Correctly Spellchecked Pre-Season Assessment Of The 2010 Texas Rangers

Of course, this disclaimer is right up front: the asterisk* which is *barring injuries*. Any of the AL West teams could fall out of contention quickly with an injury to one or two key players.

No Ifs Ands Or Buts:

About Michael Young. There’s nothing else to write about him (see “track record” reference above). I’m going to put Nelson Cruz in this paragraph too, don’t like the strike-outs, the defense is…um…weird at times, however Nelson’s power is very good and by now we really do know what to expect from Nelson Cruz. And that is the end of this paragraph …unfortunately.

Ifs :

If Josh Hamilton stays healthy
If Rich Harden stays healthy
If the Rangers (who are truly notorious for their lack of patience) can contain themselves and allow Julio Borbon to experience the slumps, hot streaks, errors and brilliant plays during his first full season in the big leagues

If Elvis Andrus, Matt Harrison, Tommy Hunter ,Chris Davis, Neftali Feliz, and Derek Holland take a step up, not back, in their development
If Colby Lewis’s turnaround in Japan translates to success in MLB
If CJ Wilson can successfully transition from reliever to starter
If Ian Kinsler can stay healthy. I really wanted to put Ian in the first paragraph as more dependable, but he has only played in more than 130 games once (2009) in three full major league seasons – it's starting to become a concern
If Vlad Guerrero isn’t finished (as some suspect) and still has a little something left to terrorize pitchers
If Taylor Teagarden and Jarrod Saltalamacchia can -- a) stay healthy then -- b) one of them (don’t care which) assert themselves, take the catching position to at least major league average – including offensively
If 40 year old LHP Darren Oliver can handle the workload “left” behind with CJ Wilson moving to the rotation

And... :

And…Keep in mind the fact that all bullpens are a year-to-year proposition; I’m guessing it’s the reason middle relievers never get more than a one-year contract. This year’s bullpen starts out losing CJ Wilson, with (arguably) their most productive reliever from 2009 - Darren O’Day - hurting, most importantly closer Frank Francisco a huge question mark. Frankie’s 2009 was shaky in my estimation and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Neftali Feliz closing games by the All-Star Break.

And… Additionally, harping on the “track record” concept: I’m talking about experience, not necessarily a player’s age. Take a look at the last five World Series championship teams (White Sox, Cardinals, Red Sox, Phillies and Yankees). If you look at the roster of their everyday starting nine and starting rotation (see Baseball Reference.com) the track record/experience factor is undeniable. On those five teams, there were only five players who made substantial contributions who played less than three complete seasons major league seasons:

2006 Cardinals – Yadier Molina
2007 Red Sox – Dustin Pedroia
2008 Phillies – Kyle Kendrick
2009 Yankees – Joba Chamberlain

The 2010 Rangers starting nine and starting pitchers have 4 ½ players who have 3 seasons worth of games on their ledger: Michael Young, Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz, Rich Harden and we’ll call Josh Hamilton the ½. I’m not including Scott Feldman because this is only his second season as a starting pitcher, and there’s no way to compare Colby Lewis’s return to MLB after his experience in Japan. Once again: not much experience, lots of untapped, unsure, unknown, potential.

And…Then there is the manager. Let’s get something out of the way first: I’ve never met the man, but I know people who have and they say he’s a good guy, I believe them. His lapse last summer while inexplicable is forgivable. As a Catholic I have and always will preach the power of forgiveness.

All that being said: I’m not a fan of Ron Washington as a major league manager, never have been (check the archives of this blog). I think it says something when A’s GM Billy Beane, who changes managers more often than Lady Gaga changes costumes, never even considered his own long time third base coach for the manager position in Oakland. In my inflated opinion, all three current managers in the AL West are better than Washington. Plus his situation from last July threatens to be the story that will not die. Every time the Rangers are on the road this season the out of town media and local fans are going to bring up it up which is yet another burden a mostly young, inexperienced Texas team should not have to shoulder. By the way I think Jim Reeves summed up Washington the best in his column on ESPN.com

And…Here is what is at the heart of why I’m not sold on this year’s team playing October baseball.

I 've been through Thirty-One summers of:

Brad Corbett
Eddie Chiles
Tom Hicks
Chan Ho Park
Ron Darling for Lee Mazilli (who didn't want to play the "idiot's position")
Dave Righetti for Mike Heath and Domingo Ramos
Chris Young for Adam Eaton
John Danks for Brandon McCarthy
Justin Thompson's shoulder
Firing Don Zimmer then asking him to manage for 3 more days
Balls clanging off Jose Conseco’s head
Chairs thrown in Oakland
Mike Henneman blowing the biggest save in Rangers history
Homegrown team icons (Sunny and Pudge) departing for foolish reasons (Doug Rader’s capriciousness and ARod’s salary)
The false hopes of 1986, 2004 and 2009

All that (and more) while living the shadow of a Stanley Cup and an NBA final experienced twenty-five miles to the east and those championship flags flying just down street from the Ballpark– it’s a sordid history and this franchise has broken my heart too many times.

Finally: a couple of Buts

(just to prove I’m not a completely cynical old broad)

But … I do trust the fact the Rangers do have some depth in the minors at most positions in case of injuries and terrible slumps or (God forbid) outright failures.

But … I do think the AL West could be the closest division race in all of MLB, with the Angels, Seattle and Texas all finishing within one or two games between them.

But …The Rangers are a young team that will be fun to watch and in spite of it all my experience with them and my misgivings I remain a loyal, sometimes hopeful, fan.

But… I could be wrong, and I hope I am.

I really do hope I am wrong -- Marla Hooch

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Notes and Pictures From 2010 Spring Training Trip Extravaganza

2010-04-01T09:17:00.003-05:00

A few notes I scribbled in the well-traveled “blue notebook” while in Surprise last week:

The biggest improvement: a new sidewalk from the backfields parking lot to the practice fields. For the majority of us who aren’t privileged characters that have parking passes – the walk from the backfields parking lot used to mean a choice between walking on a slope of gravel (that inevitably got in your shoes – and don’t even think about how that felt in sandals) or if you walked on the driveway taking your chances at being run down by some baseball type who was speeding into their parking lot. Thank you to the city of Surprise.

The least improved: if it’s possible the traffic on Bell Road is worse than ever. Thank goodness for the Comfort Inn on Grand Avenue and Greenway Road.

Things I saw:

-- The Hickory team lose 24-0
-- Ruben Sierra Jr batting with his Dad watching
-- Wille Eyre getting lit up by the Seattle High A hitters
-- Engle Beltre running out a very nice bunt hit
-- I didn’t see Jurikson Profar play, but I did see him sitting on the bench yelling encouragement to Cody Podraza
-- More of Jarrod Saltalamacchia than I wanted
-- Nolan Ryan watching all 3 innings pitched by Blake Beavan
-- Major league BP – not that interesting (you can see that about 81 times per year at the Ballpark if you get there early enough)
-- Mike Maddux addressing the pitching staff – now I would have liked to been able to get a little closer to hear what he was saying
-- Fuzzy’s

People I talked to:

-- Kasey Kiker – always makes me laugh
-- Michael Schlact – who says he’s feeling better than he has in three years
-- Blake Beavan – excited to have Nolan Ryan watch him pitch, more excited to get out of Surprise and back to Frisco
-- Spike Owen – one of the best names in baseball and still a cool guy
-- Tanner Scheppers – CJ Wilson had better watch out – this guy is the up and coming “California Cool” in the Rangers organization
-- Lots of old and new friends – which is what makes the trip to Arizona every year a true joy.

Finally: I went, I saw, I took pictures:

This is the link to the gallery of Minor Leaguers – 76 pictures of guys you’ve never heard of and some you may never hear of again (admittedly I didn’t recognize many of them either)

I did attend one major league game on Monday 3/29 – here’s the link to pictures from the Rockies/Rangers game.

The real fun is about to begin.

Enjoying the sunburn -- Marla Hooch

Spring Training 2010: The Best Moment

2010-03-30T10:01:00.001-05:00

I moved to Texas in August of 1979. The first week in town, my aunt Cathi took me to a Rangers game and we sat behind Sister Frances and Sister Maggie at the old Arlington Stadium.

Yesterday, at the Rockies/Rangers exhibition game in Surprise, I once again found myself seated behind Sister Frances and Sister Maggie.

31 years later: we're still here and we're still Ranger fans.

--- Marla Hooch

Spring Training 2010: The Trip And The Music

2010-03-20T20:31:00.023-05:00

“Don’t talk to me about the world. Not today. It’s springtime and they’re knocking baseballs around the fields where the grass is damp and green in the morning and the kids are trying to hit the curveball”
– Pete Hamill

The Texas Rangers organization has elevated shooting itself in the foot into an art. But one of the few smart things they have done lately,which has made them more accessible to fans like me, was moving Spring Training to Surprise Arizona eight springs ago (funny how time slips away).

The Trip:

I am getting ready to leave for my eighth Spring Training trip to Surprise later this week. Here are a few things you need to know about my trip:

-- I won't write until after I return, so probably no blog next weekend - more likely later in the week.

-- I spend the majority of my time on the backfields watching the minor leaguers. I can turn on my TV or drive the down the street any night to see the big league guys. This is the one chance I get to see these young players, particularly the ones who will stay in Rookie Ball, High A and Low A.

-- There won’t be any kind of in depth analysis when I do finally write. You can visit Jamey Newberg , Scott Lucas or the boys at BBTIA for that. I’m not big on the minors morning workouts – they’ve always reminded me of Pedro Cerrano taking batting practice in “Major League”- everybody looks great in the batting cage or taking fungos off a coach’s bat. I prefer the minor league games in the afternoon. I find out much more seeing these young guys face a pitcher they don’t know or going after a ball that takes a bad hop on the infield while they have to make quick decision.

-- I do take pictures, usually a fair number of them. Now that the players have their names on the backs of their jerseys, I even know who they are when I take their picture. Those pictures will be online as soon as I can get them there.

-- I’ve always been very fortunate to spend time with a lot of good people and dear friends in the evenings during my Spring Training trips – it has and always will be the best part of my trip to Spring Training.

The Music:

All the stories you’ve heard about the miserable traffic on Bell Road and Grand Avenue - I’m here to testify to the fact they are all true. That’s why it’s good idea to have some music to keep you company as you are sitting, and sitting, and inching along. One of the little rituals I have getting ready for Spring Training is putting together a couple of CDs to for my listening pleasure in the rental car while I am stuck in said traffic.

My first Arizona Spring Training music mix (from 2003) is a cassette. I didn’t have a CD burner or I-Tunes way back when (sheesh – it wasn’t that long ago). The first couple of CDs I started out just throwing songs together that I liked, but now it’s become more of a mission. I burn two CDs – one is the compilation of reliable songs– usually with a theme of some sort (this year’s is “Comfort Music” a take-off on “Comfort Food”) the other is the official Spring Training CD where I try to find some new music (well new to me).

It’s unfortunate that I wind up finding most of these songs as background music on television shows (“Chuck” and “House” are two prime sources) since commercial radio music stations are unlistenable. However, I have discovered the new public radio music station in DFW: KXT 91.7 It’s an eclectic mix for sure. I can’t tell you how much I’ve appreciated it keeping me company when I’ve worked late in a quiet office and they've expanded my musical horizons as well.

I know it is likely there is only one reader (Hi Lisa!) who might be interested in the song list on the “official 2010 CD” - which is reason enough to list them on the blog. As I said these most of these songs are new to me, with one classic and a couple of personal favorites from the past thrown in too. Here’s the set list in order, with a few comments. of the “Official Marla Hooch Spring Training 2010 For Wasting Time on Grand Avenue CD”:

1. Hallelujah – Justin Timberlake, Matt Morris and Charlie Sexton
This is from the Hope for Haiti CD – when you download songs (or the entire CD) the proceeds go to charities that assist victims of the earthquake.

I’m surprised to find myself liking Mr. Timberlake more and more. I’d assumed he was just one of those pretty Hollywood types whose claim to fame was showing up in tabloids with famous girlfriends and singing with overproduced boy bands. But the more I see him, read about him and listen to him– I think he’s got a chance to have pretty nice career – certainly more long lasting than his former girlfriend (the one not named Cameron Diaz).

2. Redemption Song – Johnny Cash and Joe Strummer

A reggae song done as a simple folk song. The earthy voices of both these musical icons give this song an anthem like quality that is downright stirring.

I’m ashamed to say I never realized the impact of Johnny Cash and his embrace of all kinds of music – not just country- until recently. I do remember that his television show was a must watch in our home. He featured mainstream popular acts (like the Monkees and Viki Carr – one of my Dad’s favorites) but also Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, Ray Charles, the Staples Singers, Odetta, Derek & the Dominoes and (a very young)Charlie Pride. If you have the opportunity - please pick up one of the DVDs from his show that were released a couple of years ago, I highly recommend them.

3. Blue Umbrella – John Prine
“Just give me one more season so I can figure out the other four”

I knew it was time for a John Prine song. I couldn’t decide which one until I came upon this live version of “Blue Umbrella”. This is probably the first John Prine song I remember hearing. By the way, one of the best episodes of “Spectacle With Elvis Costello” featured John Prine singing “Lake Marie” – wish Elvis would’ve skipped the segment Ray LaMontange and spent more time with John.

4. Midlake – Head Home
This is courtesy of 91.7 KXT. I was driving home from work late one evening on an empty street when I heard it first time. I thought – yeah this is right.

5. Rain On Me – Blue Rodeo
Thank you to greg rogers (who is the spiritual leader of the Dicke Thon Fan Club or at the very least the musical director). He sent me this song about 11 years ago – took for ever for it to show up on I-Tunes. Has a groovy guitar solo at the end of the song that will have you pounding the backbeat on your steering wheel while you listen.

6. Can’t Hardly Wait – Justin Townes Earle
I had no idea Steve Earle’s son was also a singer/songwriter/musician. (Steve Earle’s “Copperhead Road” is a staple of several of my mix CDs). I liked this song, listened to a few others and wound up downloading a couple of the younger Earle’s CDs.

6. Whiskey Burnin’ – Larry Crane
From one my all time favorite movie soundtracks – “Falling From Grace” – the movie itself is only so-so.

7. I Need To Know Where I Stand – Rhett Miller
I’m not an Ol ‘97’s fan but I do like this song. The lyrics are clever with a contemptuous undertone disguised by a peppy melody

8. Put The Message In The Box – World Party
One of the best all time names for a band: World Party. The song is pretty good too.

9. The Great Defector – Bell X1
Bell X1 is the type of plane Chuck Yeager flew (he named it for his wife “Glamorous Glennis”), this band is from Ireland and one of the lyrics in this song is a line from a John Steinbeck novel. They are a Talking Heads clone – a really good one – what’s not to love?

10. How You Like Me Now? – The Heavy
Per the video clip I had on this website last month: when The Heavy performed this on Late Night With David Letterman he asked them to do an encore, it’s the first time I ever remember Dave doing that. That alone made this song a candidate for the ST 2010 CD.

11. Rock The Casbah – The Clash
Classics never go out of style

12. You Are All That I Have – Snow Patrol
“There is a darkness deep in you/A frightening magic I cling to”

This is simply an outstanding power pop ballad. I was told this group had something to do with “Grey’s Anatomy” (a show you could never pay me enough money to watch – I’ll happily continue avoiding it for free).

13. Devil Town – Tony Lucca
Driving down, or rather sitting in traffic on, Grand Avenue with the sun setting – this is the song I want to listen to. (Yeah, I’ve talked about this song before: Friday Night Lights – Season 1 – Final Episode – see for yourself).

Finally: I’d like to close with some lyrics from that "pretty good song" by World Party:

“If you listen now

You might hear

A new sound comin’ in

As an old one disappears…

Put the message in the box

Put the box into the car

Drive the car around the world

Until you get heard.”

I’m fervently hoping and praying that in spite of everything that’s happened this spring the message in the box is “Watch out – these are not the same old Rangers”

On my way to Surprise (soon) -- Marla Hooch
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If I Had A Twitter Account....

2010-03-17T14:03:00.001-05:00

This is what'd I'd write concerning today's news about Ron Washington:

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong” – Mahatma Ghandi

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone -- Marla Hooch

P.S. But it does make me wary of the decision making process from someone in a such pressure filled, highly visible management position.
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The Dead Arm Period: I Can’t Think Of Good Title For This Week’s Blog

2010-03-15T20:41:00.007-05:00

(Right now many pitchers are going through a dead arm period while this week I am going through a dead blog entry period.)

The great thing about Spring Training is that means “real” baseball is just around the corner.

The bad thing about Spring Training is that other than injuries and the occasional shooting star (Matt Kata anyone?) there isn’t any real news that’s worth dissecting coming out of Arizona or Florida.

With that in mind we bring you a truly random blog entry (since there’s nothing “real” to write about this week).

"Don't forget to swing hard in case you hit the ball" - Woodie Held (lifetime .240 hitter)

One of my favorite sites, Baseball Reference.com, has a neat tool called the Oracle of Baseball that can connect any two major league baseball players through a string a mutual teammates (think of it as the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon: The MLB Version) and yes I know I’ve used it before on this blog – and I’ll probably use it again at some time in the future as filler when there is nothing to write.

Ozzie to Elvis: SS Ozzie Smith played with P Mark Clark (1991 St. Louis Cardinals) who played with C Ivan Rodriguez (on the last Rangers playoff team in 1999) who played with SS Elvis Andrus on the 2009 Ranger team.

“I never had a bad night in my life, but I’ve had a few bad mornings” – Lefty Gomez

Birthdays for the week of March 14-March 19: Former Ranger Jim “The Great Emu” Kern is 61 this week. Brian Wilson –not the brilliant but troubled Beach Boy – this one is the RHP for the Giants is 28. The pride of West, Texas Scott Posednik turns 34 and that good Irish boy Rangers 1B Chris Davis turns 24 on St. Patrick’s Day. HOF Kirby Puckett would’ve been 50 years old this week.

“Although he is a bad fielder he is also a very poor hitter” – Ring Lardner

Did you know: a poll conducted by Real Simple magazine shows that 56% of their readers think social media (like Facebook and the dreaded Twitter) are a waste of time?

Hisle to Hamilton: OF Larry Hisle played with IF/DH Paul Molitor (1978 Milwaukee Brewers) who played with P “Everyday”Eddie Guardado (1996 Minnesota Twins) who played with OF Josh Hamilton on the 2009 Texas Rangers

Did you know: that Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski were each only pinch hit for one time during their HOF careers? Here’s the best part: the same player pinch hit for both of them: Carroll Hardy.

“You get smart only when you begin getting old” – Allie Reynolds

By the way: according to Yahoo weather the average daytime temperature in Minneapolis in April is 57 degrees and the average night time temperature is 36, with an average snowfall of 2”. I bet those Twins players are really looking forward to leaving sunny Ft. Myers for the nine games they’ll play at home (three of them scheduled at 7:10 pm) at the new open air Target Stadium.

The First Free Agent to the Rangers most current free agent: P Andy Messersmith played with IF Bill Buckner (1975 Los Angeles Dodgers) who played with IF Mark McLemore (1987 California Angels) who played with Rich Harden on the 2004 Oakland Athletics

Finally: a couple of weeks ago for his President’s Day blog entry on Postcards From Elysian Fields T.R. Sullivan put together a baseball team of US Presidents. He asked for any additions to the Presidential Roster and I offered Thomas Jefferson as a relief pitcher (or spot starter, or stadium designer, or musician to play the national anthem– TJ could do it all)

I close to today with a quote from the tall lefty that applies to the psyche of the current Ranger fandom:

“I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past”

Dreaming of the future that begins on April 5th – Marla Hooch

Burning Questions: Spring Training 2010

2010-03-08T12:39:00.013-06:00

A few real questions, a few rhetorical ones and some things just make you say “hmmm?”

Why was it headline news on the first day of Spring Training that Derek Jeter wants to remain a Yankee – doesn’t this belong under the heading of “duh”?

Speaking of Jeter’s upcoming contract, let’s make these assumptions: 1. Jeter will remain a Yankee. My guess is his contract (yearly salary not necessarily length) will be bigger than ARod’s considering Jeter’s “status” on his way to Yankee Immortality. 2. My other guess is: Yankee Fans and the local Yankee infused press will not sanction having Saint Derek being paid less than that carpetbagger ARod.

Based on those suppositions here’s what I’m anxious to see: the local and national stat heads had a field day going after the Rangers about “value” of Michael Young’s contract – based mainly on his age. Granted, Jeter is a better player than Young – but – and here’s the big but – Jeter is also going to be 36 years old. Let’s say realistically he’ll want at least a 3-4 year deal. These same BP type number crunchers are always trumpeting their stats that (supposedly) prove that players over 35-36 years old are in decline (without exception). I’m interested to see what they will say about the “value” of Jeter’s contract. Will they stick to their formula of “no player over 30 should be paid anything because our complicated statistical truths state players in their 30’s aren’t any good” or will they come up with some new dense algebraic formula to “prove” that Jeter is the lone exception? The one thing I do know: there will be endless coverage of this contract negotiation in the national press, I envision an entire hour special on the MLB Network on the subject. I suspect when the negotiations are concluded every player in MLB will be asked their reaction to the contract and finally the Pope will likely be asked to bless the signed documents – because the only story in major league baseball is the Yankees – isn’t it?

If the Cowboys new stadium was supposed to bring all this “new” business to the Stadium/Ballpark vicinity – then why has another restaurant (Red, Hot and Blue) closed, and the former Mexican Inn and Barbeque place (whose name escapes me) have been standing empty for at least a year?

Enquiring minds want to know….

Rain during the first week of camp, Derek Holland, Josh Hamilton losing somewhat significant playing time in early games, the Khalil Greene situation leaving the Rangers scrambling for a utility IF (or two), more rain, Julio Borbon banged up early – not an auspicious start to Spring Training is it? Josh Hamilton on the trading block – what’s up with that?

Here’s what I love about the report on MLB Trade Rumors (which should really change it’s title to MLB Speculation, Fiction and Re-Tweets – because there is very little truth and not much original writing/research on that website). Anyway back to the report: it’s from a Boston writer – who I assume is with the Red Sox in Florida, talking with a scout – who I assume was in Florida too. These two guys are not in Arizona, they haven’t talked with the Rangers or even “unnamed sources” in Arizona, and this item was based on a “feeling”? As Jamey Newberg said this morning – after Hamilton’s performance in 2009 the Rangers couldn’t/wouldn’t be able to ask for as much in return. So do you think based on that fact the scout already knew that he might have been trying to drum up some activity (which is proof that agents aren't the only ones "creating" markets for players) – what better way to get that message out than through the obliging twit(ter)…excuse me, reporter.

This reminds of a line of dialogue from one my favorite movies “Broadcast News”: Jane (played by the wonderful Holly Hunter) talking to Tom (William Hurt in his second best movie role): “Another thing I can't stand is when White House reporters [shoot the breeze] with each other after a briefing and then one of them has a theory and the other quotes it in his story as ‘White House’ sources say...”

Sound familiar?

The old adage is: those who can’t do – teach. Ergo – those who can’t (or don’t have the ambition to) play professional sports become mouthy sports talk show hosts who question professional athletes abilities?

Just asking

Why can’t you buy into the rampant optimism expressed all over the web (and by Rangers team president Nolan Ryan) that the Rangers will win the AL West?

Look I think the Rangers are improved – if for no other reason the young players have some quality time at the major league level and (hopefully) are aware of their strengths/weaknesses plus they now know how much sacrifice and dedication it takes compete successfully at that level. However, two of the other AL West teams (at least on paper) are already better/or have improved themselves more than the Rangers. Many are writing off the Angels because of the loss of John Lackey and Chone Figgins – we’ll see, I think they’ll miss Figgins more than Lackey (replaced by Scott Kazmir) and that’s the basis of my conviction: pitching trumps all. Seattle: Cliff Lee and King Felix need I say more? The Rangers pitching while better, still has too questions (can Harden stay healthy? can Feldman repeat? what are you really going to get from Brandon McCarthy and Colby Lewis? and, most importantly, who among the younger pitchers is going to show truly consistent improvment?) Many Ranger fans are basing their predictions on the hope of all the right things falling into place rather than proven performance - which is exactly what the Angels have in their favor and the Mariners have at the top of their rotation as well as at the top of the lineup (Figgins and Ichiro). If the Rangers can prove they are worthy of all that blind faith, I'll change my mind -although just like Doubting Thomas - I'll have to see to in order to believe.

The final Burning Question today: What did you think of the Academy Awards?

The Dude will abide.

Looking for a fire extinguisher – Marla Hooch

Comments! We Have Comments!

2010-03-02T14:00:00.010-06:00

First of all, thank you for reading my blog.

Very honestly: I thought the only people reading were some members of my family, a few loyal friends (Hi! Lisa W, Jamey and Mike) and another friend who says they read it regularly but I have my doubts (you know who you are – if you are reading). It’s always been an exercise in self-expression and free speech that I’ve written mainly to amuse myself – again thank you for playing along.

Now to the subject at hand: comments on the blog.

In response to the poster formerly known as Mr. Anonymous: Yes, I do think the local and national media pay way too much attention to Twitter and that there’s a good possibility that it could lead to a delay getting news to the rest of the non-twitter fans.

I asked a friend if I could take a look at her Twitter account and checked out how many “followers” the local Ranger beat writers have: do you realize that Jamey Newberg has more followers than each of the beat writers? That the total “followers” for all five writers (Sullivan, Wilson, Andro, Grant and Durrett,) is around 3,700 – and I’m pretty sure there are many duplicates who follow all five which brings down the total. That is fewer people than are on Jamey’s mailing list. That is only about 15% of the fans who attend a Ranger game on a weeknight (assuming a crowd of 25,000). Why is the media so intent on catering to just a select few? I understand the competition for getting the story first – that has been around since Pheidippides ran from the battfield at Marathon to Athens. To my mind the Twitter situation is much the same as philosophical conundrum of perception vs. reality: if a tree falls in the forest but no one is there to hear it does it make a sound? Is it really that important to get your 140 letter tweet up first when the majority of fans you want reach can’t / won’t read it?

As for the issue of a delay, here’s an example: last week when Warner Madrigal left his throwing session with forearm stiffness MLB.com had the story up on the blog around 12:40 (CST), the Startlegram around the same time (12:44 CST) while the DMN blog entry wasn’t online until about an hour later (1:40 CST). Granted, it was not as if one of the impact pitchers was hurt, but I’m pretty sure Evan Grant had his tweet of the injury up at the same time as everyone else. However, the DMN blog entry went online almost an hour later. Was it because he already “tweeted” it – so the rest of the non-tweet readers would just have to wait? Is this a portend of the future? I hope not, but to use a twitter buzz word: it is a “trend” worth watching. Plus, I would think that kind of “trending” would be bad thing for the Star-Telegram and Dallas Morning News writers – their employers (newspapers) are in enough trouble - if the writers are relying on Twitter to get the news out first – then aren't they leaving out a large portion of their readers - aren’t the newspapers supposed to be drawing in readers not excluding them?

One more thing to keep in mind about Twitter is accuracy. During the winter meetings I was reading MLB Trade Rumors - they were constantly publishing tweets - what I found interesting is to go back and see how many of them were not true, many weren’t - some not even close. As I’ve said before: it is so very sad that sports media editors are forcing their writers to whittle baseball news to 140 characters – and many times not even an accurate 140 characters. Sports Journalism – in general – has been degrading ever so slowly over the past 25 years (which coincides directly with the rise of ESPN on television) it seems that Twitter is just hastening the process of reducing that once masterful art into a bumper sticker.

Scooper, thank you for the kind words and the support. I don’t know that many would say I have positive outlook on the Rangers (certainly no-one in Ranger management would). I love the minor leagues, watching the players at AA and AAA always gives you hope: for them, for the organization for the game of baseball in general. As for the major league team – well, my good friend Jamey Newberg is always a better source for optimism. I write what I feel about this organization. Having been a fan since Pat Corrales was managing and John Ellis was the primary DH, I’ve loyally slogged through enough dashed expectations to have learned the lesson of the Italian proverb “Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me”. Or to put it in more modern terms from Pete Townshend (and sung by Roger Daltrey – who turned 66 this week – can you believer it?) “We don’t get fooled again.” I’m glad the Rangers minor leagues have been rated highly – but that has not shown itself as consisent success on the major league roster – yet – especially in the most important and always lacking portion of the Rangers history: pitching (don’t forget that two of Texas' first round pitchers drafted in 2000’s are now pitching in Chicago). I hope this season will be different, but I’m yet to be convinced. By the way, I’m not alone in my reticence – Jim Reeves latest column is a must read on that very subject.

The bottom line is that I know most cases like Twitter (and the fact that most fans are picking the Rangers to win the AL West) I’m in the minority - it is just one fan’s opinion. The good thing is it seems to have lead to a lively discussion (long live the first amendment!)

Finally – not much baseball to talk about - again - this week. I can’t get worked up about intrasquad games, or even early Spring Training games – although I’ll be tuned in to Eric and Dave on Thursday, because, well just because.

Thank you again for reading and writing! – Marla Hooch
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30 Years Ago Today....I Believed In Miracles

2010-02-22T15:25:00.003-06:00

It was a Friday night after work. I watched the tape delay of this game, as did all of the US on ABC. I knew how it ended because Verne Lundquist said very simply at the end of his 6:00 p.m. sportscast that night - "They did it!"

There was a good article by Joe Posnanski on the Sports Illustrated website today.

This is the last paragraph from that article, Al Michaels talking about enduring effect of that game and his legendary call, the last line is absolutely perfect.

"It's interesting, Michaels says he never gets tired of people coming up to him to talk about that call or that game. He never tires of hearing people say where they were when they heard the call. I was in our TV room, my father was on the couch, my mother was out playing cards. I remember jumping up and down when Eruzione scored the game-winner... and I suspect that was the first hockey game I had watched, beginning to end, on television (I did go to a Cleveland Barons game once). Of course, it was the first hockey game that many Americans had seen.

" 'That was the beauty of that game,' Michaels says. 'You didn't have to understand to understand.' "

I understood - - Marla Hooch

P.S. Did you know that the current coach of the USA Women's Hockey, Mark Johnson is a member of the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team?

White Noise

2010-02-21T21:04:00.011-06:00

There’s a strict definition of “white noise”, if you are a sound engineer, stop reading now because I’m going to use the generally accepted colloquial (although inaccurate) definition of white noise for my own purposes today.

White noise is considered to be sound masking, it drowns out every other sound. Here’s a good analogy I found:

"Imagine a dark room where someone is turning a flashlight on and off. The light is very obvious and distracting. Now imagine that the room lights are turned on. The flashlight is still being turned on and off, but is no longer noticeable because it has been 'masked'. "

Here’s my baseball analogy for white noise: imagine the dark room is Ranger fans, the flashlight is real information researched and reported by the likes of MLB.com, ESPN Dallas, The Star-Telegram and the Dallas Morning News. The room lights are sports talk radio, forums, fan run websites and yes, blogs like this. The real information, the flashlight, is no longer noticeable because it is being masked by the room lights of self-appointed pontificators on the air and on the web.

I bring this up because I read a comment from one of the real media today that mentioned a fan based forum as the reason he reported a specific piece of information. Since when did a website fan forum become more important than what the general public wants to know? I’ve long suspected that responding to white noise is becoming more important than reporting concrete information - today once again confirmed my suspicions.

What is a baseball fan supposed to believe?

Please understand that not all blogs and fan run websites are white noise. There are excellent sites that add to the “flashlight” of discussion – people like Grant Schiller, Jamey Newberg and the boys at Baseball Time In Arlington work hard to bring thoughtful analysis as well as other features (like Grant’s many interviews) to the ‘net. The one thing all these sites have in common is that they keep the incendiary commentary to a minimum, if at all. Unfortunately, they too are often drowned out by the other Ranger fan “white noise”.

When I first discovered Ranger cyber-fandom back in the late 1990’s I actively participated in several forums – it was great fun, the give and take was thought provoking – in some cases I was persuaded to change my mind. But much like the political tone of the last few years, nearly all of the online Ranger forums have devolved into standoff’s, shouting matches – a lot of sound and fury signifying nothing. As for sports talk radio – that is the original white noise and the loudest. Do any of those stations do any real investigative reporting? Moreover, do any of their show hosts actually attend the sporting events they discuss so flippantly? It seems that the only contribution of sports talk radio has made is to turn their own non-fact- based-speculation into something resembling news, and of course, adding to the volume of the white noise by fanning the flame of “hot sports” opinions as gospel.

Which brings me to this blog. I’ve been worried for quite a while now that I am just helping turn up the meter on the white noise to 11. Maybe I am, no let me change that to: I am pretty sure I’m doing that. I don’t think fans should be silenced, for many of us the visceral experience of baseball is a welcome relief from the pressures of daily living. But It seems there are so many voices talking and so few listening that there are times – most notably last season – that I thought about giving up this blog.

I am not a reporter, I don’t have access to the “inside story” (I have never figured out why some people think because I know Jamey Newberg that I do – trust me I don’t – I’m just another fan in the stands reading his reports like everyone else). Lord knows I’ll never have the analytical skills that Jamey and Grant have.

So after all of this navel gazing, what conclusion have I reached? Well, as Jeff Goldblum said in the Big Chill - “I don't know anyone who could get through the day without two or three juicy rationalizations”. (If you don’t remember the rest of quote – rent the movie)

Here’s my juicy rationalization: One of the friends who encouraged me to start this blog told me to write what I see and what I think – I have tried to do that. I have a passion for the game of baseball, and especially for this Texas Rangers team. More importantly, I love writing. I was a communications major in college, I thought I was going have some kind of career writing – I was wrong. For a long time I put that part of me in a box under the bed and pretended that I didn’t care – until the combination of modern technology, long buried aptitude and my love of baseball intersected one afternoon on the Dallas Morning News forum 12 years ago. Selfishly, I don’t want to give this up, and I won’t (at least not this season).

What I will do is make this promise to the 5 or 6 people who do read my piece of “white noise”:

-- I will do my best not to write a knee-jerk opinion. I will try to put a little thought, and more importantly back my opinions up with something salient – like stats, or a plausible theory – never “just because I'm right and you're wrong”

-- One thing I’ve never done, and will continue to avoid is name calling. Nothing bothers me more than I when I talk to a fellow fan who christens an athlete with a derogatory nickname (99% of the time originated by some local sports talk show host). Some players aren’t as talented or as good as others– that doesn’t make them worthy of that kind of treatment, and I have resorted to reminding that the least talented player on the Rangers is probably 100 times more of an athlete than the one bestowing the condemnation.

-- I will try to refrain from bombast (unless there is October baseball in Arlington)

I will continue to write what I see and what I think and I’ll try to keep the white noise to a low hum.

Back to baseball next week – Marla Hooch

Here Comes The Sun

2010-02-18T06:34:00.007-06:00

George Harrison sang: “it’s been a long, cold, lonely winter”.

However, George also said in that same song: “I feel that ice is slowly melting. Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been clear. Here comes the sun…”

When the sun rises over the desert in Surprise Arizona, we Ranger fans will shake off the remmants of the 12 inches of snow from last week Thursday and walk with a bit more “spring” in our step today as the season of hope begins.

Happy Pitchers and Catchers Day everyone – Marla Hooch

P.S. Still miss you George …

From The Sublime (Jane Austen) To The Ridiculous (The 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies)

2010-02-13T20:42:00.007-06:00

I usually write on Sunday, I’m making an exception this week because I hate Valentine’s Day and that’s the last you’ll read about it on this blog.

Let’s talk baseball…well, that was a short conversation. There is nothing of real substance to ponder, I truly can’t get worked up about signing a catcher from Australia. Right now and I’m not going to make up baseball topics to discuss; there will be time enough for that beginning Thursday (a discussion that will not end for at least seven months).

"One does not love a place the less for having suffered in it, unless it has been all suffering, nothing but suffering. – Jane Austen"

Was Jane writing about being a Ranger fan?

I am very amused at the recent rock star status of Jane Austen. You’d think all these teenage/twenty/thirty something women had just discovered some hidden secret. I have news for you kids: Jane has never been big secret – she was extremely popular among the teenage and twenty somethings when I was in college and that was the 1970’s. Personally, I’m a bigger fan of the Bronte sisters (Charlotte and Emily). Austen’s books have witty with memorable characters, however they do all follow the common fantasy blueprint of the romance novel: after some minor adversity everyone winds up living happily ever after. The Brontes are darker, earthier, more realistic – their characters are just as brilliant but, as in real life, there aren’t really any happy endings.

However, I do have a soft spot for Miss Austen. She is responsible for creating the finest performance of my (short) acting career: I played Mrs. Bennett in the NDC Masquers Production of “Pride and Prejudice” during my junior year in college (see picture on the left - I'm the one with my eyes closed).

As I mentioned in a previous blog: two books I’ve found by British author Jude Morgan (An Accomplished Woman and Indiscretion) are the best of the “Austen” style that I’ve read lately. Additionally, much to my delight, Morgan is writing a novel about the Bronte sisters. Avoid the Colleen McCullough novel “The Independence of Miss Mary Bennett” – it’s terrible as are all of McCullough’s novels (I loathe “The Thornbirds”). “Pride and Prejudice” with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy is my favorite “tele” version of that novel, and “Sense and Sensibility” with Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant (and in a very small part Hugh Laurie) is the best big screen movie (so far) of an Austen story.

Between the snow storm and the Olympics I’ve been watching a little more television than usual and one local commercial has caught my attention: Michael Buble at the AAC, really? I can see him for 4 or 5 nights at the Myerson, or the Bass Hall or Nokia Theatre. His song stylings, I think, are a little more intimate – I just can’t picture Michael Buble singing “Home” or “You Don’t Know Me” with the same kind of effect in the cavernous American Airlines Center. Since I’m writing about Michael Buble – click on this link for the SNL Skit with Michael Buble and Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”) it is worth waiting a few seconds for the download.

I won’t say I have Olympic fever, but I might have an Olympic cold. I enjoy watching the competitive Olympic events – the ones that truly have a measure of performance: skating/skiing the fastest, scoring the most goals. I do not like the style Olympic events, meaning any event where a judge scores the event – for example: figure skating, ice dancing, freestyle anything and snowboarding. I do appreciate the hard work all the young people put into training for those events – but they aren’t true competition in my opinion since the outcomes are based solely on the subjective conclusions of observers. Unfortunately, network television spends way too much time concentrating on those 2 or 3 events when there are so many more interesting ones taking place.

Bob Costas must’ve repeated at least five times that it was going to be hard to top the opening of the 2008 summer games in Beijing - he was right. The Vancouver opening ceremony was…weird. I’ve been to Canada a few times, really enjoyed it. I have several baseball friends who are Canadian and they aren’t strange at all. Isn’t the opening ceremony supposed to introduce the host country to the world? So where were The McKenzie Brothers? Where were the donuts -Tim Horton’s ?) The Royal Canadian Air Farce?

I know they wanted to include prominent Canadians like Joni Mitchell – but I’m not sure what “Both Sides Now” really has to do with the Olympics or Canadians in general. Although the young man who performed the trapeze like act during the song was about the only thing I kind of liked of the entire production (and Both Sides Now is on the A side of the soundtrack of my life)

Having KD Lang, who can croon with the best of them was a great idea. Having her signing a Leonard Cohen song must’ve seemed like a good idea – but “Hallelujah”? Did anyone listen to the lyrics? Cohen’s “Closing Time” would have fit in much better with the lively Olympic spirit (thanks to Greg Rogers for introducing me to Leonard).

And since we’ve gone down Leonard Cohen lane – I was really surprised to see Justin Timberlake, Charlie Sexton and Matt Morris sing an excellent version of “Hallelujah” during the Hope for Haiti concert – I was even more pleased find that Justin Timberlake knows about Leonard Cohen.

Finally, that's it - what is the weather like in Surpise?

Only 4 more days until the second most important holy day in the religion of baseball -- Marla Hooch

P.S. The best Olympic moment - EVER: