[Insert Your Own Clever Title For This Entry]...

...because I can't come up with one.

But that won't keep me from adding my thoughts to the ever-growing bandwagon:

Déjà vu All Over Again: Johnny Oates was (without a doubt) the best manager in Rangers franchise history. This is not a point that can be debated when you look at those 3 division flags flying above the Ballpark – something no other Ranger manager has accomplished. However, the one low point of Johnny’s managing career in Arlington that will be forever questioned is taking starting pitcher Darren Oliver out of Game 3 of the 1996 playoffs and bringing in Mike Henneman – who was, at best, a shaky closer (0-7 with a 5.79 ERA) Is anyone else beginning to get that Mike Henneman vibe every time Frank Francisco takes the mound?

Speaking of 1996: Seeing the Rangers win a series in New York is good for the baseball soul, now if they could only do the same against the likes of Minnesota and Oakland.

Separated At Birth: Leon Redbone and Rangers Pitching Coach Mike Maddux

Not The Only Game In Town: Much like their parent team, the Frisco Roughriders are in a tight playoff race – they are 2 games behind Midland for Texas League Southern Division lead. Frisco has 6 games left with Midland – 3 at home this weekend and the last 3 games of the regular season at Midland.

What’s in the CD Changer? That would be History – America’s Greatest Hits. And to everyone who is rolling their eyes at this statement - I say “Get over it”. They had a short streak of amazingly good songs.

I was stuck in traffic the other day listening to the CD and what struck me was how many of the songs evoked a particular memory:

Sister Golden Hair – the family vacation to Florida – we drove from Toledo to Miami – and it seemed like every top 40 station we found along the way played that song at least once an hour

Ventura Highway -- I cannot hear this song now without thinking of “We Are Marshall” - Annie driving in her VW bug on the bridge leaving West Virginia for California – a great scene (and that movie has a terrific soundtrack too)

A Horse With No Name – does anyone remember the “News Radio” episode where Dave was obsessed with this song?

Daisy Jane – sigh………….

Muskrat Love – possibly the worst pop song, ever, I hate it, I’m sorry I brought it up

Lonely People – makes up for the muskrat song – one of the most hopeful songs ever – better than any bottled anti-depressant.

Finally - the Hooch entourage is taking a little road trip this weekend to the Hill Country, there should be some baseball related activities to report next time.

Still waiting for the promised reappearance of Crapulous Mass and/or What We Know About... – Marla Hooch

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I've Been Thinking...

A few random thoughts….

I’m dismayed: At the reaction to the Matt Purke situation. When a draft pick has “signability” issues – there’s a little more of a risk involved – it’s a roll of the dice and the Rangers have been very lucky with their “signability” picks in the past - it didn’t happen this year. I understand the reality of situation – Matt wanted a Porcello like contract, he’s going to TCU in order to put himself in a position to ask for that kind of deal or maybe better in two years – (he’s taking a bit of risk too – injuries and other unknown factors could change things pretty quickly). I know many Ranger fans in the blogosphere are disappointed, but there is something inherently wrong with criticizing a kid for making the choice to attend college. Just my opinion, but if your life is so tied up in the fortunes of any sports team that you are publicly mocking an 18 year old for pursuing higher education - then maybe it’s time to re-examine your priorities.

Let’s see: Darren O’Day, Elvis Andrus, Josh Hamilton and now Pudge – does anyone remember when Jon Daniels couldn’t do anything right? (That’s a left handed compliment and an apology JD).

Someone needs to ‘splain this to me: In his last 32 games Hank Blalock has 130 AB’s with: 2 count ‘em 2 BB’s with 35 K’s and 4 Home Runs and is hitting .192 in that span. Chris Davis during his last 29 games before he was sent to AAA: 93 AB’s 3 BB’s – 37 K’s and 3 HR’s - he was hitting .215 So the notion that sending Chris down and keeping Hank in the lineup everyday because he’s a veteran hitter is just pure bunk in my estimation. I won’t even talk about the difference in the defense between Hank and Chris. Suffice to say that during many games we watch together Baseball Mom will often remark – “Chris Davis would have had that one” – and most of the time she’s right. I was a big Hank Blalock fan, I drove up to Tulsa to watch him in AA. But what “gifts” Hank had are gone.

The future of this Ranger team has arrived ahead of schedule and Chris Davis is part of that future – and he should be playing first base everyday during this stretch run – learning along side all of the other young players on this team. Every Hank Blalock AB and inning at first base is setting back the plan for the future just a little bit more.

Be sure to read: The Newberg Report daily minor league wrap-ups this week. Our good friend Grant Schiller ,who is in Hickory watching the Crawdads, is filling in for Scott Lucas for a few days.

Thank You Phil: Derek Holland, Tommy “Big Game” Hunter, Neftali Feliz – good things happen – bad things happen. (see my blog entry of April 19th ).

An observation from Frisco: If you are worried about Blake Beavan – stop. The blue notebook says that his last home start that I watched – he threw 71% of pitches for strikes (92 pitches – 66 strikes) he only game up 2 extra base hits (back to back doubles) and by my count 4 of the 7 singles he gave up were of the excuse me/doink/dying quail variety – seems the batters were not getting good swings on the ball. Can’t help but think that the more Blake learns to pitch and works on his control that excuse me swings will turn into K’s.

By the way: Where are all those missives on Martin Perez’s pitching in Frisco? Is it possible that maybe Perez was pushed up the ladder a little too soon? Something this organization would never do (tongue firmly planted in cheek).

Finally: here’s a quote that sums up the plan, this team, its fans and this season, so far:

“You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.” – Albert Einstien

Good Thought – Marla Hooch

A Big Mistake Corrected....

Rangers make a trade to bring Pudge Rodriguez home.




Should have never been allowed to leave in the first place (looking straight at you ARod and Tom Hicks) -- Marla Hooch>

Yes Kids, I Am Going To Write Something

I'm working on it. Meanwhile - here are some pictures from Frisco:

Friday August 7th and Sunday August 9th


Did you notice who asked the second question in TR Sullivan's mailbag today?


Cheering on those wild things in Arlington -- Marla Hooch

Let He Who Is Without Sin Cast The First Stone

That's all I have to say about the Rangers lead story today.

-- Marla Hooch

Watch This Space.....

I'll start blogging again this weekend....

-- The Resurgent Marla Hooch